Can You Name That Trail?

[magikwalt]

"...provides another unique short trail trip. Starting at a point at the west end of Alejo Road, the trail mounts the first ridge of mountains to a 1500-foot elevation, about 1,000 feet above Palm Springs, and continues southward directly behind and above the Village. Its full length is 3 miles. The view of Palm Springs and the desert is lovely."

The above is a quote from a trail map dated 1933 and titled Trail Map "The Desert Riders".

[halhiker]

OK, the west end of Alejo would go up the ridge to where the Skyline goes up but I don't know if it was called that then. The North End of the Lykken Trail goes by there.


Here's a guess out of the blue. How about the Chino Trail?

[magikwalt]

Hal you are on target. The trail map from 1933 shows the Skyline Trail to be what we would call the middle section of our current day Lykken Trail from the golf course to Ramon Rd.

I think the National Geographic maps also show this section as the Skyline Trail.

The present day trail which we call C2C or Skyline is called the Idyllwild Trail on the map and is discussed as being almost complete. The trail was built as a fire break. The write up discusses how the trail will open up "places of beauty, such as Carramba, the upper reaches of Tahquitz Canyon, Tahquitz Valley, Tahquitz Peak, Hidden Lake, Round Valley, Long Valley and Wellman's Cienega."

It also mentions that once complete the trail will take the place of the Gordon Trail.

[Hikin_Jim]

Which one is the Gordon Trail? Is that the old one from the North? I've also heard of a trail that used to go to Caramba from the PS side. Is that the Gordon trail?

Ignorantly yours,
HJ

[asabat]

Is there any possibility that map could be scanned and posted online? Assuming copyright wasn't an issue - probably expired by now. I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd love to see it.

[halhiker]

That's interesting that it says it will open up Caramba, Tahquitz Canyon, etc. I wonder if it was referring to going to those places AFTER going up to Long Valley.

It is also funny that it said it would take the place of the Gordon Trail because the Gordon Trail is a much more direct route to Caramba and Tahquitz. I can't wait to see this map.

I'm going to go do some scouting on the Gordon Trail as soon as I get a day off with no kid responsibilities (who knows when that'll be?) I'll try to get some pictures when I do.

Hal

[guest]

Interesting Walt,
Our hiking friend Carl G (& I've used it a couple times), used to use this route from Alejo, but there's private property issues to content with now. It contacts the loop that goes around the hill behind the Museum tr benches & comes back to the beginning of Skyline where the white letters re. Long Valley are. It's very direct ( steep).
Ive been up the "Gordon", what's left of it years ago from just north of Andreas Cyn, it's a good route, there is the usual brush, don't remember much thick manzanita at 6-7k, it dumps in just south of Carumba creek.

I can see why Skyline would take it's place, as Long Valley offers better access to many other areas than Carumba does.

With this rain, over-growth will become an issue for us "route finders".

Happy trail finding...

ss

[magikwalt]

As soon as I receive a one page copy I'll see what can be done to get it posted.