Day Hike - Palm Springs and Coachella Valley

Exact time TBD-likely about 9 AM.

Directions:  From I-10, take the Monterrey Exit and proceed South for 9.5 miles.  You will cross CA-111 highway where the road changes names to SR-74 (just continue straight).  After this 9.5 miles from the freeway there should be a sign for Art Smith TH just past the Visitor Center for Santa Rosa Mountains and Mount Jacinto National Monument.  Look for the small TH parking lot on right.

This trip is part of  seven days of hikes in Palms Springs and the Coachella Valley area--March 2-8, 2025.  Art Smith Trail is Trip #1. 

Here is the Gaia route for the Art Smith Trail:  https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.1/-116.4265/33.6850&pubLink=LuGcO8QAN8cNhlF2aMGHqcqP&trackId=9d36eecd-128d-4860-9e8b-56a1580724a5

While this is well know hike--the leader has not been here before and we will need to figure things out as we go.  We may choose to stop in at the Palm Desert Visitor Center before the hike and the Santa Rosa Mountains Visitor Center after the hike to get better orientated, procure maps and gather information.   This is a "Special Leader's Permission" hike and trip.  In requesting permission:

1)  Please telling me about your hiking experience

2) Where you are thinking of staying--your own accommodations and car or at the KOA camp-out (see option below) or some combo?

3)  Are you hoping to ride in my car to the TH, to/from the airport?

3) How many of the seven Palms Spring area hikes do you plan to do?  If wanting to stay at KOA--how many of the seven nights, March 1st to March 7th would you stay?

Please request permission as soon as you are ready, have research the cost (airflight, car rental, hotel, meals, etc.) and are confident that you can and will do this trip if selected.  Please don't ask my permission in case you "may" want to go.  I will review all the applications and get back to folks no later than Jan. 5th. Note it will take me a couple of days to get all seven day hikes posted.   I will pick the group that seems the most compatible.

Participants are responsible for getting to the Palm Springs area and to the TH each day and all other necessary accommodations. Some folks on past similar trips have gone together on hotel/AirB&B  and a rental car.  Some prefer only solo accommodations and transportation.

One option for accomodations:  Rob's KOA camp-out

https://koa.com/campgrounds/palm-springs/

The leader has secured a tent campsite that likely can accommodate 4 people in Desert Hot Spring--roughly 8.5 miles north of the Palm Springs Airport.  The campsite is a KOA campsite with restrooms, showers, hot tubs, pools, mini golf and pickle ball--and screaming kids and the general busyness of such places.  The site has water and electricity and a fire-pit.  Except a small gravel spot with some lawn next to many, many other camp spots.  It may be possible for you to stay at this campsite and share use of my car to access the hiking THs, shop for supplies and get to and from the airport.  I  will be driving my Subaru Outback down from Seattle for this trip.  There will be a reasonable cost for this option including:  your share of the campsite fee (site is $49-55 per night, plus $5 per night per person for groups larger than two) and other campsite expense like propane gas, fire-wood and who knows what, $10 a day for use of his car (the leader will be the only one driving),  plus your share of the gas for all trips taken.  There may be an extra fee if you choose to bring an additional car/your own car to campsite.  I will be open to pick participants (camping with me) up at the Palm Springs Airport and dropping them off as long as the times are reasonable and they don't interfere with our planned hiking outings (so likely only in the evenings or very early).  I will be arriving in Palm Springs area the day before the first trip--March 1st.  I will be packing up and leaving the campsite the morning of March 8th, the day our last Coachella Valley area hike.  I will be camping March 8th at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area for one night, then five-nights in Joshua Tree National Park (a juxtaposed trip, with six hiking days in Joshua Tree National Park will be posted within the next week).  I anticipate going food/supply shopping a couple of times during the week.  I will be bringing a two-burner Coleman stove, cook-ware, a ice chest/cooler, lighting and a rain/sun cover  for our picnic table.  Those choosing to camp with me, can use all these items and whatever else I end up bringing.  I intend to cook most to all of my meals while there.  I won't be driving folks around for non-essential trips--just those listed above.  Camping folks need to bring tent and sleeping bag and all other stuff you would need or buy it there.  Let me know if you desire the camping at KOA option, but I will choose those that I feel will be most compatible.  Those selected will have needed to have been on Mountaineers activities with me (likely several) or get a strong recommendation from a Mountaineers leader I know and respect.  If there is high demand to camp-out together we may get a second campsite if available.  I will ask for a non-refundable deposit upfront for those wanting the KOA option. More information and details will follow.  Rob