Palm Springs from the Museum Trail
Moderate 1.5 Miles
Beginning Elevation: 520' Elevation Gain: 850'
To reach this trail, go to the corner of the Desert Museum's north parking lot. The Museum Trail rises above the city of Palm Springs, and offers spectacular views of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. From the parking lot at the Museum, to the top of the trail is a good, hard, uphill hike. When you finally reach the picnic tables at the top you will be ready for a rest.
This trail intersects with the North Lykken trail, and you can hike down into Chino Canyon, or you can take the North Lykken to Ramon Road and walk back to the Palm Springs Desert Museum from there ( or you can use two cars and have one waiting at the bottom on Ramon Road ) The Museum Trail also intersects with the Skyline Ridge Route, which will let you continue all the way to the Palm Springs Tramway via the Skyline "Trail" if you want, this is called the Cactus to Clouds Hike ( however, don't attempt that hike unless you are ready for the hike of your life . . . SEVEN HOURS PLUS ). For more information on the Skyline Trail and the Cactus to Clouds Hike, and how dangerous it really is, click here, or the button below.
All Photos by: Gary R. Burzell
This is no joke, the Skyline Ridge Route is for experienced climbers only, not weekend hikers! It is not a clearly marked trail, and is very dangerous! Don't be the next person to have to be rescued from this trail, or worse, the next fatality!!
Left: Picnic Tables at top of the Museum Trail. Right: Plaque on rock...
Apparently Mr. Cavanagh loved our trails also...
