Art Smith Trail again

[KathyW]

I attempted to do another run along the Art Smith Trail today - it wasn't such a good idea to wait until 12:05 pm to start with that sun blazing down, but it cooled down while I was out there. I went between 5 and 5.5 miles before turning around and going back the way I came. Maybe I should start at the other end and do the second half next time - that way I'll have covered the whole trail without having to set up a shuttle. The flowers are starting to come out along the Trail - there were even a few cacti blooming. Another couple of weeks and it'll be really pretty out there.

Some of the flowers I saw:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/4394028_7XYrr/1/258008042_HtH6p#258008042

[halhiker]

Kathy,
There's really not another way to get to the Art Smith Trail unless you use the Schey Trail out of Cat Canyon. The access the other end you'd need to hike up from Palm Springs and access it via the Hahn Buena Vista Trail since the Art Smith Trail officially ends at Dunn Road. It is possible to hike up Magnesia Falls Canyon out of Rancho Mirage and connect to the Art Smith. This is a great hike but it requires a car shuttle.

Hal

[KathyW]

I wondered where the Art Smith trail ended - I saw Dunn Road on the Map and knew that could be the way in from the other side. Magnesia Falls Canyon sounds interesting - I'll store that idea for future use.

I found this map of the rest of the route to Palm Springs:

http://singletrack.us/gallery/displayimage.php?album=55&pos=0

I think I'll start at Channel Drive next time and hike to yesterday's turn around point and then go back the way I came. It looks like I'd have about a 12.5 mile round-trip to do that. I might do it in a couple of weeks if it's not too warm.

[halhiker]

That's actually not where it comes out in Palm Springs but in the Cathedral City cove. To go all the way to PS you'd have to continue on the map to the west of the one shown. I've known people to hike several ways but the most frequently is the hook up with the Hahn Buena Vista Trail to the Wildhorse Trail to the Garstin Trail to the Araby Trail by Bob Hope's house. What people have done then is park a car at the trail head and a second at the 74/111 intersection and then ride the Sun Bus from the Araby trailhead back to the second car.

Great map, though. I'm curious about the road going up above the Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage. I had no idea they encroached that far into the mountains. If the map is correct, I hate them even more now.

Hal