Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tahquitz Canyon
HIKING
child $12.50/6; 7:30am-5pm Oct-Jun, Fri-Sun only Jul-Sep)
A historic and sacred centerpiece for the Agua Caliente people, this canyon featured in the
1937 Frank Capra movie
Lost Horizon
. In the 1960s it was taken over by teenage squatters
and soon became a point of contention between tribespeople, law-enforcement agencies
and squatters in its rock alcoves and caves. After the squatters were booted out, it took the
tribe years to haul out trash, erase graffiti and restore the canyon to its natural state.
The visitors center has natural and cultural history exhibits and shows a video about the
legend of Tahquitz, a shaman of the Cahuilla people. Rangers lead educational 2-mile, 2½-
hour hikes; reserve in advance. Self-guided hiking is available until 3:25pm.
Indian Canyons
HIKING
child $9/5, 90min guided hike $3/2; 8am-5pm Oct-Jun, Fri-Sun only Jul-Sep)
Streams flowing from the San Jacinto Mountains sustain a rich variety of plants in oases
around Palm Springs. Home to Native American communities for hundreds of years and
now part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, these canyons, shaded by fan palms and
surrounded by towering cliffs, are a delight for hikers.
Ask for directions to canyons with picnic areas, bird watching, Native American mortar
holes, and possi/bly a bighorn sheep sighting.
From downtown Palm Springs, head south on Palm Canyon Dr (continue straight when
the main road turns east) for about 2 miles to the reservation entrance. From here, it's 3
miles up to the Trading Post, which sells hats, maps, water and knickknacks.
Mt San Jacinto State Park
HIKING
( 951-659-2607;
www.parks.ca.gov
)
The wilderness beyond the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway mountain station is criss-crossed
by 54 miles of hiking trails, including a nontechnical route up Mt San Jacinto (10,834ft). If
you're heading into the backcountry (even just for a few hours of hiking), you must self-
register for a wilderness permit at the ranger station.
