Distance: 6 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 1617'
Elevation Gain: 1147'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.9
Round trip time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Recommended water: 40 oz.
Parking/Fees: $9/adult Indian Canyons Day Use Fee
Difficulty: Easy
We were in Palm Springs celebraing Leisa's birthday and Mother's Day that are close together each year. Leisa found this popular hike nearby. Since the weather was trending hot in the desert, we tried to start a 7 AM, only to find out the entrance gate doesn't open until 8 AM. We spent the hour getting extra liquid for the hike. For the entrance fee, you get a parking pass and nice color map of all the hiking trails.
We drove to the Trading Post, the trailhead for Palm Canyon, bathrooms available. The trail drops immediately into a large grove of palms that fill most of the canyon with shade. It's a pleasant walk beneath the trees following the canyon upstream. Each junction is well signed so there is little chance of getting lost. At 1.5 miles, the trial takes a sharp switchback to climb out of the canyon into the desert. The gain is spread over the next 1.5 miles where you drop down to the stone pools. There was water in the pools, but it wasn't flowing. We had the place to ourselves. Some interesing slots appeared to be further down canyon but it was warming up and we hadn't planned for any off trail exploring. We returned the way we came, and met several parties on their way out. One family of 4 asked if we had seen any snakes, and we hadn't. The youngest girl stated she had not "planned to spend her vacation in the wilderness" and that "this is torture", before she made a mad face and stomped by. New York is where she'd rather stay, she gets allergic smelling hay.
Wow, sounds like you had a really fun—and slightly dramatic—hike! I know what you mean about the early desert heat; starting later than planned can really throw off your morning rhythm. The switchback climb out of the canyon can be tougher than it looks, but those stone pools are such a cool reward. I’ve done a similar hike when staying at a Palm springs vacation house nearby, and having that base to retreat to afterward made the whole trip way more relaxing—especially after the sun started heating up. Also, love the mental image of that little one declaring the wilderness “torture”—kids can be brutally honest!
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