Palm Desert 2 Palm Springs hike

[bytebit]

Hi there. I'm looking for GPX or KML or KMZ tracks for the Art Smith trail to Palm Springs (Araby trail or RimRock Plaza--Hwy 111 exits). Has anyone done this 17-mile hike? According to my map the Art Smith Trail connects to Hahn Buena Vista trail then it connects to the Wildhorse Trail then one can take the Araby trail or a Goat trail to the RimRock Plaza to Hwy 111. Right?

Thanks for your input -- David

[Florian]

I hiked the other direction last month from Hermit's Bench in the canyons to hwy 74 with NeverWasHasBeen. Here is my Garmin track...

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/415095238

You can export the .gpx file.

-Florian

[Florian]

And to answer your original question, yes. Art Smith, to Hahn, to Wildhorse, to Araby. It's a neat hike.

-Florian

[Florian]

Actually, i guess you can't export the .gpx file since it's not your track. But the trail is pretty easy to follow. If you want the gpx msg me your email address and i'll sent it to you.

-Florian

[cynthia23]

It's a lovely hike that goes through three palm oases. If you want it to be a little bit shorter, you can take Art Smith to Dunn Road (which is an old dirt road) and then go down Dunn Road into the Cathedral City Cove. But it's more scenic if you take the route Florian mentions.

It's also good for trail-runners as once you gain the elevation it's mostly a rolling plateau. I agree that once you are on the trail (it's a bit confusing at the beginning) the route is relatively clear. The only confusing part is when you cross a big wash, about a mile before Dunn Road. It looks like you cross the wash to continue, but the trail actually continues up the wash itself. Keep an eye on people's tracks (there should be many) and you'll be fine.

[cynthia23]

I wanted to follow up on my post. I was up there yesterday and I realized that actually Wildhorse doesn't really connect directly with Araby. You either have to take Berns or the Thielman trail over to Araby. Also, Araby doesn't end up in the RimRock plaza. It ends up next to a mobile home park. The Rimrock plaza is a bit further down 111--maybe another half mile. To end up directly in Rimrock plaza you have to go down to Clara Burgess and through a bunch of other trails which are nameless. It's quite confusing unless you know the way and I don't recommend it. You're better off taking Araby and coming out near the mobile home park and just walking a short distance down Hwy. 111.