Guide to Desert Hiking in the Coachella Valley

As an avid hiker, I was excited to visit the Coachella Valley in California and do some desert hiking for the very first time. What I wasn’t prepared for was how different and technical it would be compared to the hiking trails in Ontario, Canada. In this post I’m excited to share some tips for desert hiking that in learned through many hikes in the Coachella Valley.

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Tips For Desert Hiking In The Coachella Valley

Where Is The Coachella Valley

The Coachella Valley is located in Southern California and is surrounded by the San Jacinto Mountains and the Santa Rosa Mountains and on the north and east by the Little San Bernardino Mountains. The highest peaks in the surrounding mountains are Mt. San Jacinto (10,804′) and Mt. San Gorgonio (11,499′).

The valley is situated in the Sonoran Desert which extends from California through Arizona. The portion of the Sonoran Desert where the Coachella Valley lies is known as the Colorado Desert, which encompasses approximately 7 million acres. The vastness of the Colorado Desert should tell you why it’s so important to pay attention to safety when hiking in the desert.

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There are 26 hiking trails in the Coachella Valley that weave through the desert and the mountains. The trails range from easy to difficult. However, it’s important to note that if you’ve never hiked desert trails before, you will find them to be on the moderate to difficult side.

Preparing and Packing for a Desert Hike in the Sonora Desert

Preparing and packing for a desert hike isn’t a lot different than preparing and packing for a regular hikes, except that you need to take more into consideration.

Choose Your Trail Wisely

When choosing which desert trail to hike, keep in mind that the trails are more strenuous and a lot more technical. It is important to keep your physical capabilities in mind when deciding which desert trail to hike

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Check the Conditions of the Trail

Before leaving for your hike make sure that the trail you’ve chosen is open and safe enough to hike. With desert hiking, there are more possibilities of flash flooding and avalanches.

Print Your Desert Trail Map

It is quite possible when hiking in the desert that you won’t have cell service or sporadic cell service. It is recommended to print a map or download an off-line map.

Pack Your Day Hike Essentials

Pack up all of the usual hiking essentials with an emphasis on additional water, sunscreen and a hat. You are in the desert and there is very little, if any, shaded spots to escape the sun.

If you will be hiking in the desert during the early morning hours or later in the evening, pack a light jacket as the temperatures tend to be on the cooler side.

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I also suggest that if you have hiking poles, use them. There is a lot of loose rock on the trails and variations in elevation. The poles will help to keep you steady and take the stress off your knees.

First Aid Kit

It is no secret that more things can go wrong when hiking in the desert than regular hiking. It is important to have a well put together first aid kit, which should include:

• bandaids, gauze and tape
• tweezers
• polysporin
• rubbing alcohol
• tenser bandage

Safety Tips for Hiking the Desert Trails in the Coachella Valley

Avoid Desert Hiking during the heat of the day

The number one safety concern when hiking in the desert is sun/heat stroke and dehydration. In order to avoid this, I recommend hiking at 6 or 7 in the morning before the sun reaches its peak, or take a sunset hike which will also allow you to see some nocturnal creatures. It is also safer to hike the desert during the Winter months of January to April, when temperatures range from 50 to 70 degrees. During the Summer months the temperatures soar to over 100 degrees.

Wear Proper Footwear

I can’t stress enough how important wearing the proper footwear is. The desert is dry and has an abundance of lose gravel and rocks. One wrong step and you’re going down. Wear proper hiking shoes or trail shoes that have a solid grip. Avoid sandals and flip flops at all costs!

Bring LOTS of Water

Even if you chose to hike the desert tails during the Winter months, the UV rays can still be quite high. In order to stay hydrated throughout your hike, bring extra water. I recommend bringing one bottle of water for every hour you plan on hiking.

Dress Appropriately

Wear light, breathable, loose clothing when hiking in the desert. I recommend white or light coloured clothing, with a long sleep top to protect you from the sun and bugs.

Stay on the Trails

Unlike hiking in a forest, it’s extremely easy to get turned around and even lost when hiking in the desert. The landscape all looks the same and you won’t find natural markers. Stay on the trail and don’t explore.

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Creepy Crawlers

The Sonoran Desert is well know for its various types of creepy crawlers. Depending on the time of the year you’re hiking in the desert, it is possible that you’ll come across:

• Rattlesnakes. The Sonoran Desert is home to 7 different species of rattlesnakes
• Scorpions. Scorpions are know to adapt to any climate, so it wouldn’t be unusual to see them out as early as March. It’s important to note that the Bark Scorpion found in the Coachella Valley is venemous.
• Tarantula. There are two different species of Tarantula’s found in the Coachella Valley. Despite what many people think, Tarantulas are typically afraid of humans and avoid them.
• Black Widow Spiders. There are two species of Black Widow Spikers that live in the Coachella Valley which can be harmful to those who have underlying conditions.

Larger Animals

While it is typically the smaller creepy crawlers that you might encounter when hiking in the desert, it is important to note that there are also larger animals, such as mountain goats, cougars, bears, mountain lions and bobcats. It is important to keep your eyes open for these creatures and give them the space they need. Under no circumstances should any of these animals be approached.

Desert Trail Etiquette

It is important not to leave your trail etiquette at home when hiking in the desert. The following hiking protocol should be followed at all times:

Stay on the Trail

I know when we’re hiking, we are tempted to leave the trail to explore the surrounding area. Do not do this when hiking in the desert. Firstly, you will get lost, but secondly, we don’t want the vegetation ruined as many animals depend on it for their food and shelter.

Do Not Disturb or Touch the Desert Vegetation

Do not touch or disturb any of the vegetation. It’s beautiful to look at and take pictures of, but it could be poisonous and again, the animals count of this for their shelter and/or food.

Yield to Fellow Hikers

Desert trails are extremely narrow and often run along the edge of a steep drop off. Trail protocol dictates that hikers going down yield the right of way to the hikers coming up the trail. This is an import tip when desert hiking, as hikers take this rule quite seriously.

Leave No Trace When Desert Hiking

As always, it’s important for as responsible hikers to carry out any items that we carry in. There are no garbage bins scattered throughout the desert and garbage should be stored in your backpack.

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Is it Safe to Hike Alone in the Colorado Desert?

As an advocate for solo travel and solo hiking, I would love to tell you that yes it’s safe to hike solo in the Colorado Desert. Unfortunately that’s not the case. Unless you are already extremely familiar with the trails, I would advise not to hike the desert on your own.

Just because you’re travelling alone doesn’t mean that you can’t experience desert hiking. Palm Springs Hiking Tours offers guided hikes, bicycle tours, mountain bike tours and Jeep and SUV Tours.

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Top Desert Trails to Hike in the Coachella Valley

With over 26 desert trails in the Coachella Valley, you will have no shortage of hiking trails to choose from. Trip Advisor has named the following trails as the top desert trails in the Coachella Valley:

1. Indian Canyon Hiking Trails
2. Bump and Grind Trail
3. Murray Canyon Trail
4. Palm Desert Cross Trail
5. Palm Canyon Trail
6. North Lykken Trail
7. Palm Springs Museum Trail
8. Art Smith Trail
9. Araby Trail
10. Randall Henderson Loop Trail

I have hiked a portion of the Indian Canyon Trail, Bump and Grind Trail, Art Smith Trail, Randall Henderson Loop Trail, and the Palm Desert Cross Trail. I can verify that each trail is unique in its own way and each offer challenges of their own.

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Complete Guide to Desert Hiking in the Coachella Valley

I hope this complete guide to desert hiking has provided some insight as to what to expect when hiking the desert in the Coachella Valley. It truly is an experience for all avid hikers to try. I would love to know if you’ve done any desert hiking and if you have anything that should be added.

Happy Hiking 🙂

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