Four mile hike takes you from suburbia to towering red canyon wall.
Commuting past the sprawl of homes in Lake Forest and Foothill Ranch, it's tough to picture a beautiful canyon filled with green trees and tall, red canyon walls.
The trailhead has very limited parking for a fee of $3. It's easy to spot where to begin as there is a large sculpture and the signage warning of mountain lions.
As you hike this trail, you'll pass through some beautiful scenery, including an oak grove. I was surprised by how green the trail was despite very limited rain in the months preceding our hike.
The largest danger we encountered during our hike was the mountain bike riders. Some of them do not do the courtesy bell warning and are zipping through the trails at substantial speeds.
At the 1.5 mile mark, there is a junction. Many will accidentally go left here when the goal is actually to the right. There are also some benches here on which to rest.
At the roughly 2 mile mark, you'll reach the end and see the magnificent canyon walls. Here you can stop for a rest or trail back the way you came.
This turned out to be one of our favorite hikes in Orange County. The trails are very unique for the OC, with plenty of shade and green vegetation. The red rocks at the end are incredible, something one would expect to see in Sedona.
Know Before You Go
There are several access points to this hike. Ensure that you use 26701 Portola Pkwy as the starting address.
Mountain Lion attacks have occurred here and the is signage stating so at the trailhead. The lions likely frequent the area due to the abundance of mule deer in the area.
Parking is very limited at the trailhead and there is a fee to park. While tempting to park at nearby businesses, you could incur a larger fine.
Resources
Location
The trail is a bit off of the 10 Freeway, requiring most to navigate through downtown Palm Springs. Must pay fee at entrance gate and depending on demand, may require a wait.
Video
The video below was taken on an iPhone while hiking, so apologize for any shakiness. The video features the trail and the view from the top of the canyon.
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