Email
Print
FeedHappy Trails - Palm Canyon Trail to the Stone Pools
Philip Ferranti
Directions
Drive through Palm Springs on Highway 111 until reaching the juncture with South Palm Canyon Drive. Turn onto South Palm Canyon Drive, following signs to the Indian Canyons for two miles. From the tollgate, proceed 2.5 miles to the Palm Canyon parking lot. Head east down the road/trail at the east end of the parking lot.
Length: Six miles
Hiking Time: Three hours
Elevation Gain: 880 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Season: October to May
Information: 1-760-323-6018
This trail takes you through the lush jungle-like river bottom of Palm Canyon and out onto backcountry high-desert plateaus where the entire horizon seems to open up. Looking 14 miles south toward the distant Santa Rosa Mountains, you are surrounded by the soaring San Jacintos thrusting up dramatically from the canyon floor. Stunning views of the desert and Palm Springs will appear to your rear, followed by a series of magnificent plunging cliffs, waterfalls, and exotic pools fed by clear, shimmering ribbons of water racing through the rock gorges. What are we waiting for? Let’s go!
Drop down into Palm Canyon from the trading post and continue for almost a half-mile until you cross the Palm Canyon Creek to your left. As you pass the right fork of Palm Canyon, veer left and follow the streambed and trail for another half-mile until you reach the marker indicating that the trail crosses the stream and climbs up the south bank and the ridge above.
Head south along this trail. Very soon the climb takes you out into the open country where the full, magnificent beauty of these canyons can be appreciated. The trail stays on a high plateau, with some occasional glimpses into small adjacent canyons. After two miles of hiking you will reach a wide dirt wash/Jeep road. Take the trail straight ahead, rather than following the wash to the left. You will eventually arrive at a place where the trail melts away into the sandy rock, but is still faintly visible on the slowly climbing rise above the canyon to your right.
Turn right and head down toward the canyon when it is obvious that the canyon bottom is less than 30 feet from the trail. A small trail comes off the main trail taking you to the area known as the Stone Pools along Palm Canyon Creek. In a wet year, water flows freely and deep, often creating a series of small pools (hence the name). But in a dry year, only sporadic water can be seen. Feel free to explore up and down the canyon bottom before returning to the main trail and back to the trading post — a great spot to enjoy lunch!
Adapted with permission from Philip Ferranti’s book, 140 Great Hikes in and Near Palm Springs (Big Earth Publishing). www.philipferranti.com
