About 2 Miles             Beginning Elevation 250'

Moderate to Strenuous hike with an elevation gain of about 1000'

The Rancho Mirage "Bump-n-Grind" trail is quickly becoming one of the Coachella Valley's most popular trails. It actually is known by several different names, including the Desert Drive Trail, Patton Trail ( some people say it was built by General Patton's troops ), Desert Mirage Trail, and the ever-popular Dog Poop Trail ( plastic bags and a trash receptacle are made available at the beginning of the trail to users for animal waste ). After starting out as a narrow trail at the bottom, it joins a wider road that leads up from the valley floor to a vantage point that gives the hiker a nice view of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and the Coachella Valley. While the Bump-n-Grind doesn't give the hiker an "isolated" experience of hiking the Coachella Valley like some of the other trails, it is a great cardio workout for hikers, and those who just want to get in shape. It is also a good trail to hike during the summer months because it is a wide trail that makes it easier to see and avoid the Rattlesnakes that are out and about during the warm weather.

The trail in not considered to be an "Official" trail, and does cross private property in some areas. However, it is well used, and the land owners are not enforcing their property rights at this time. There are discussions between the city and local home owners over concerns of parking and trail right-of-way, and I believe there will be an agreement in the near future. The city is also considering building a permanent official parking area for the trail also.

There are several access points for this trail, but parking is limited. Most people park in the commercial parking lots on Highway 111 and walk up either Desert Drive or Magnesia Falls Drive to get to the trailhead ( it's a short walk from Highway 111 ). Some of the businesses on Highway 111 have restricted parking for customers only, so watch for tow-away signs. There is space for a couple of cars at the end of Desert Drive, but the local police are starting to ticket those who park there. Most of the streets in the area are posted no parking, so be careful.