The natural beauty of the desert brings thousands of tourists to the city of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley every year.
When I moved to Palm Springs eleven years ago, one of the first activities that I immersed myself in was hiking. Being a "city boy" most of my life, I never had the opportunity to go to any of the National Forests or Desert to indulge in this sport.
I heard about the Lykken Trail, the Bump & Grind, and the Mecca Hills. I wanted to jump right in, and start exploring everything that the desert had to offer.
I didn't start my journey hastily though. The sport of hiking comes with some personal responsibility.
Hiking in the open wilderness or desert can be a fun and exhilarating experience, but it can also be a dangerous one if you are not prepared. The climate of the desert is extreme in both the summer and winter months.
Over the Christmas weekend, there were 2 instances where hikers had to be rescued from Mt. San Jacinto above Palm Springs and the Painted Canyons in the Mecca Hills.
2 men went climbing to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and went off the trails and got lost. They were not wearing the appropriate clothes and suffered from hypothermia.
Another was a group from Washington who were hiking in the Painted Canyons near Mecca and got lost at nightfall. They did not have a flashlight and were not wearing the appropriate clothing. Both groups were found the next day by the Riverside County Search & Rescue Teams.
These people were lucky. There have been many instances where hikers have died because they were not prepared. This past summer, 2 hikers died in Palm Springs due to dehydration.
Here are some of the basics you need to know before you go hiking in Palm Springs:
- Don't Hike Alone- Go with a friend
- Take a cell phone- you may need to call for help
- Tell someone where you are going- This way someone call for help if you don't come back
- Food & water- Bring protein bars & plenty of water. Dehydration is the #1 killer of lost hikers.
- Where proper clothing- The mountains are usually 20 degrees cooler than the desert floor.
- Stay on the trails- Do not go off & explore. The trails are there for a reason. 54 sq miles of trails should be plenty of excitement for anyone.
- Have Proper Equipment- Carry a compass, flashlight, matches, etc. Better to be safe than sorry.
- Know Your Limits- Hiking is a strenuous sport. If you are not physically up for the challenge, do not go on the trails.
Follow these simple rules & common sense, and your Palm Springs hiking experience should be a pleasant one.
We want our visitors & residents of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley to have a memorable experience in our mountains. Have fun and Happy Trails!!!
For more information on the local Palm Springs Hiking Trails, click here.
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