Every once in a while, the faint whirring of a helicopter’s blades passes overhead as the Palm Springs Mounted Police Search and Rescue saves the day.
Mountain Man
There’s more to the Maynard Mine Trail in Andreas Canyon than meets the eye.
The Maynard Mine Trail in Andreas Canyon attracts those who are eager for a challenge with a narrow, rugged, and rapidly ascending 6-mile round-trip route.
Into the Wild
Immerse yourself in the desertscape.
The goal of Coachella Valley organizations like Friends of the Desert Mountains is to stoke a passion for the environment through recreation programs.
Immersed in Fall Colors: Hiking Idyllwild
Ascend Mount San Jacinto on Deer Springs Trail and enjoy one of the state park’s most popular paths.
It’s easy to feel small trekking along Deer Springs Trail toward Suicide Rock. Hiking Idyllwild among towering ponderosa and coulter pines, you ascend to a rock plateau at 7,500 feet with a panoramic view of the town, Tahquitz Peak, and Lily Rock, where international rock-climbing ratings originated. Here, legend tells us, a young Native American princess and her lover leapt
Peak Performance
Two of the highest peaks in Southern California, San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, are within view of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
The Sierra Club lists 100 peaks in Southern California over 5,000 feet. Two of the highest, San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, are within view of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. At 10,834 feet, San Jacinto is the crown jewel of the San Jacinto Mountains and is part of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. These are
Scaling Joshua Tree
Idyllwild instructor “afraid of heights” finds calling in Joshua Tree National Park.
Jim Dover says he was always afraid of heights. “I remember being in the elevator in the Eiffel Tower and being terrified.” Yet the Idyllwild outdoorsman is among thousands who visit Joshua Tree National Park each year to test themselves against massive quartz monzonite boulders. Scaling the boulders, one step at a time, is therapeutic in more than one way.
Walking the Walk
A rich history, charming architecture, and alluring natural features make the Coachella Valley a stroller’s heaven.
Step back in time with a stroll through this enchanting village. Follow Main Street’s cobblestone road between old Spanish Colonial–style buildings adorned with colorful tiles, twinkling lights, and pink bougainvillea. Trickling fountains and mountain views set the mood for romance, as do a host of restaurants. There’s something, too, about wintertime light in La Quinta: Golden hour is enhanced by
Mountain High
Before the snow sets in, Idyllwild offers a scenic 5.2-mile hike named after the late cartoonist who founded the town newspaper.
It’s a great time to hike in Idyllwild, before snow season fully sets in. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is an easy-to-moderate workout that offers clear views of Strawberry Valley, as well as both Suicide Rock and Tahquitz or “Lily” Rock. This 5.2-mile round trip hike begins at Humber Park at 6,100-foot elevation. No hiking permit is required, but you
Geo Jane
Jane Udall leads hikers on a five-hour hike through Bear Creek Ridge, where natural and scientific wonder combine for a day of discovery.
Certified desert naturalist and avid hiker Jane Udall embraces the environment she has grown to love since moving to the Coachella Valley in 2003. Her enthusiasm is infectious, which makes excursions in her company memorable. “I’m enamored with the desert mountains and everything is so different than the Pacific Northwest,” says the former hospital administrator from Oregon who now lives
Outdoor Exploration
Explore the Coachella Valley from the ground up on some of the most picturesque and breathtaking hiking trails to kick off your outdoor adventures.
Explore the Coachella Valley from the ground up on some of the most picturesque and breathtaking hiking trails to kick off your outdoor adventures.
