Day Hike - Palm Springs and Coachella Valley

This trail has challenging ladders to ascend and descend and will necessitate some use of hands to pull oneself up over some easier rock sections.  See this write-up and pictures for more details.  Additionally this trail is weather dependent since it is located in slot canyons.  We will not hike here if thunderstorms or significant rain is forecasts.  Further the road to the trailhead is hard packed sand and may be closed if wet from rain.  Two wheel drive cars should be fine, but four-wheel drive is best.  Again see the article below for details.

https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/palm-springs-hiking-trails/ladder-canyon-trail-painted-canyon-loop-hike/

This trip is part of  seven days of hikes in Palms Springs and the Coachella Valley area--March 2-8, 2025.  Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon Trail is Trip #7.  While this is well known hike--the leader has not been here before and we will need to figure things out as we go. Additionally I will camping on the Salton Sea (see below) and anticipate doing other activities as time and day;ight allow following this hike.  These may include: visit to "Salvation Mountain, Bounty Beach Art Area and/or San Andreas Palm Oasis Trail (0.9 miles RT, no gain). All of these are near the east side of the Salton Sea and camping options.  See this website (scroll down to the embedded video--"Salton Sea--Salvation Mountain, Bounty Bay Art and more") for more information on these bonus options:  https://californiathroughmylens.com/salton-sea-attractions-lakes-art/

Here is the proposed route for the Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon hike:  https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=12.0/-116.0633/33.6651&pubLink=bzOUryZ3OKMfZEyzY1q3i7O2&trackId=00deb439-be0d-49ed-9851-3a921953c14a

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 Mecca/Salton Sea 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?  

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.

I will be staying at car campground on the Salton Sea following this hike--Mecca Campground in the Salton Sea State Recreation Area.  Others are welcome to stay with me--Saturday night 3/8--one night.  You can also get you own site-adjacent or not.  Note:  The Salton Sea is known to have a negative smell in the summer months and sometimes other times of the year.  There could be a unpleasant smell at the camp area.  Please let me know if you want this option.

Meet 10:30 AM at the TH.  This trip is located 45 miles East-South-East of Palm Springs in the Mecca Hills Wilderness.  This wilderness area is just north of The Salton Sea and east of the small town of Mecca,CA.    For directions on your cars GPS use this address:   Painted Canyon Trailhead, Painted Canyon Rd, Mecca, CA 92254

From Mecca, Ca head east on 66th Av. it will vear to the north (left) a bit and change names to Box Canyon Rd.  continue a short ways and turn left on Painted Canyon Rd.  The road ends at the TH.

Navigating Painted Canyon Road

Getting to the Ladder and Painted Canyon Trailhead is an adventure in itself, and there are many different stories out there about what the experience is like. Here's the deal.

• It's about 4.5 miles on the unpaved Painted Canyon Road to get to the trailhead. The sand is generally hard-packed and rutted in spots. Some sections have soft sand that you can get stuck in. Normally you can drive almost to the trailhead before you hit any soft sand.
• If you have a two-wheel drive or low-clearance vehicle, and the sand gets too soft, just back up and park somewhere safe. It's okay to park along the side of the road, and people often park from 0.6-0.3 miles away from the trailhead and walk. That said, I've seen low-clearance vehicles get to the trailhead without a problem. It's whatever you're comfortable with.
• If you have a truck or jeep, you'll be fine.
• As a group, we can consolidate/carpool near Mecca in better traction cars if desired.