Steep Museum Trail Challenges Fittest of Hikers

Are You Up for Challenge Awaiting on Museum Trail?

Day hikers can enjoy a view of Palm Springs and the northern Coachella Valley from the equivalent of an 85-story building on the Museum Trail.

The 1.6-mile round trip trail boasts an elevation change of 855 feet. A strenuous route, it is the beginning of both the arduous Cactus to Clouds and the Skyline trails.

To reach the trailhead, from Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs, go west on Tahquitz Canyon Way then north on Museum Drive. The trail starts in the Palm Springs Art Museum’s north parking lot. You’re starting at 490 feet above sea level.

The trail heads straight up a mountain ridge. This is one of the steepest trails in the San Jacinto Mountains.

A number of side trails, spurs and shortcuts can make this a confusing trail to follow. Watch for the white blazes that mark the main trail. Two white blazes usually mean a sharp turn while arrows point the way to go.

If you haven’t seen a white blaze after five minutes of hiking, you’re probably not on the main trail. Head back to the last white blaze you saw and rechart your course.

Be forewarned that you may need to do a little light rock scrambling along the way.

About 0.32 miles up, the trail splits. The main route and the Skyline Trail go right, but you can take the side trail to the left/southwest, as it’s little easier going albeit slightly longer.

You’re likely to see bighorn sheep in the area. They often can be seen feeding on acacia, encelia, krameria and sweetbush, but they will adapt their diet to what’s available. Indeed, some bighorns have migrated onto golf courses where they browse on the greens and drink from water hazards.

Be sure to take breaks along the way. When you do, turn around and look at the great view below, which improves in breadth and scope the higher you go. During those early breaks, you’ll see the O’Donnell Golf Club immediately below the trail.

Upon reaching the saddle at 0.8 miles, you’ll arrive at a picnic area sitting about 1345 feet above sea level, the equivalent of going to the top of an 85-story building. Here you’ll be treated to a great view of the windmill farm to the north and Palm Springs with the rest of the Coachella Valley to the southeast.

The picnic area is the turnaround point, but if you have some extra energy, you can continue on. The trail splits both left/southwest and right/northwest where it joins the North Lykken Trail.

You’ll want to wear good hiking boots with ankle support. A walking stick will be useful for the hike down. Don’t do this trail in summer when heat can be a killer. No dogs or bikes are allowed on the trail.