Tahquitz Canyon Trail

Hear are the event details:

Meeting time: 7am 

Meeting Place: We will meet at the church parking lot. Enter the parking lot from the church administration building on Red Oak Street, make a left and an immediate right to drive to the back parking lot where the tan portable buildings are located.

Fee: Adults $15, children under 6yrs are $7 00. Military free with I.D.

Cell phone service is sporadic so make sure you try to call with questions the day before.

Trail Difficulty Rating : MODERATE TO CHALLENGING- This trail is dirt and rocks with portions like climbing a set of long stairs. You will need your hiking poles to help you ascend.

Weather: Check the weather and dress accordingly. Dress in layers as you may be cool or cold at the start and warm up as the hike progresses.

Required Gear:  Hat for sun, sunglasses, good shoes with tread, hiking stick is a must, water and your camera! 

Required Footwear: Hiking shoes or boots with support and good tread. Tennis shoes with support and good tread are also acceptable.

Minimum Amount of Water to Bring 2-3 bottles of water or a beverage containing electrolytes. The air is often dry and arid so make sure you bring lots of water.

Minimum Amount of Food to Bring : Healthy snacks - i.e. fruit (tangerines and oranges), nuts, peanut butter crackers, or energy snacks. 

Hike Description (include terrain, destination, challenges, flora, fauna, history) Please visit   if you would like to see the area.

The hike is located on the Agua Caliente Indian reservation and it begins at the visitors center. The visitors center  has water fountains and clean restrooms and a gift shop/book store.    The Tahquitz Canyon Trail is a two mile loop trail which leads to Tahquitz Falls and back. From the visitor center to the falls you will be gaining 350 feet in elevation. The trail is steep and rocky with many rock steps to climb.  The loop back to the visitor’s center is a descending dirt trail and has very few steps with a nice view of the mountains and lands below. You must have good balance and be able to climb up and down rock steps that may be as high as 12 - 15 inches.

The canyon trail has no facilities and very little shade.  Hikers must dress appropriately for the weather conditions, protect themselves from the sun, carry water, and wear hiking boots or sneakers. For more information visit: http://www.tahquitzcanyon.com/Guide.html

Driving Directions and Time: The location is at 500 Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA and is approximately 1 hour from Rancho Cucamonga. Go east on 10 fwy toward Palm Springs. About 10 minutes after you pass the Cabazon outlets (don’t stop there!) take Hwy 111 for about 10 min. toward Palm Springs. Hwy 111 turns into Palm Canyon Drive. Continue on Hwy 111 for about 2.5 miles and turn right on Mesquite Blvd. The Agua Caliente Indian reservation will be on your right. Please park in the lot and go to the visitor’s center and pay your fee. Limited parking is available at the visitor's center. Parking is also available on the street several blacks from the visitors center.

Seven questions each participant must answer “yes” to before being allowed on hike:

1. Are you medically fit to participate in this hike?

2. Are you bringing adequate food and water?

3. Do you have the required footwear for this hike?

4. Do you have the proper clothing for this hike?

5. Do you have the proper gear for this hike?

6. Did you prepare physically for this hike?

7. Are you free of Covid symptoms?

In case of emergency...

Nearest medical facility : Desert Regional Medical center, 1150 N. Indian Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, California 92262  Phone number: 760-323-6511

Nearest law enforcement (name, phone number, directions, and time to reach):

Palm Springs Police: 760 327-1441 or 911 emergency

Tahquitz Visitors Center/reservation police:  (760) 416-7044

Fire Emergency: Palm Springs Fire dept: 760-323-8181

Leaving early: If you must leave the hike early please tell me. If I think your lost, I’m going to call heaven, my prayer partners, Pastor John Matthews, all emergency services will be notified, your family will be called, most likely the hiking group will be calling their families telling them they are waiting for you and every angel in heaven will be on alert. We can avoid unnecessary stress, use of emergency personal and heavenly time if you communicate. Emergency services are charged to people who unwisely use them.

Special Conditions : As always beautiful scenery. Be prepared to ascend up high steps much like a stair climber.

Other Notes.   If you feel up to it after the hike, please feel free to visit the city or Palm Springs or the Cabazon Outlet shops.

What happens when the weather does not co-operate: We will never go hiking in inclement weather (storms, lightning thunder possible flash floods, icy roads etc).  Only God knows all things, my job is to do the best at planning a great trip. I will make all efforts to call and email you if we must postpone a date or change sites.