Desert Sun Best of Valley Hikes

[halhiker]

Once again the Desert Sun has published it's Best of Valley Edition and once again the paper's readers have proclaimed their ignorance.

http://local.mydesert.com/bestof/results_recreation.php

For the desert's best hike the readers voted for the Bump and Grind Trail in Rancho Mirage. This is perhaps the WORST trail in the area for severals reasons but because it's close to the city it's one of the most widely used. A lot of people use it as an outdoor stairmaster and I would imagine those who voted for it have never hiked another trail. It is a shame because we have some very beautiful trails in the area.

Of course, I don't agree with many of the results of this poll. And that makes me happy. It makes me think I still have some taste.

[cynthia23]

I agree with you, Halhiker, but as previously noted, the Desert Sun is not even sure how high Mt. San Jacinto is. The Desert Sun is owned by Gannett and Gannett's major interest lies in laying off reporters. They are desperate to avoid anything that requires actual investigation and try to stuff the paper with as much reader-supplied copy as is humanly possible. Soon, I don't doubt, the entire newspaper will be run by robots.

On the plus side, at least this keeps the masses off the prettier trails. ...

[Perry]

It's ironic because the connector trail between Hoppalong Cassidy and upper B&G is way better! It's hardcore singletrack and I felt like I was in the sierras above tree line when I did it back in February. Starts right behind Target. I saw two people on that trail, tons on Bump n' Grind. On the plus side, Palm Desert seems to have a solid outdoors crowd.

[magikwalt]

I love B&G...It keeps all that spandex off of the real desert hikes .

[Perry]

You must be referring to type m. I certainly don't mind type f.

[halhiker]

You must be referring to type m. I certainly don't mind type f.

Actually, for type f, I believe spandex is the preferred hiking attire. It's one reason I prefer not to lead--because the scenery never changes.