Quick Facts
Trail Length – 5-6 miles
Level – Moderate
Time – 3-4 Hours
Total Gain – 560 feet
High Point – 1,330 feet
Dogs – No
Cell Service – No
Map – Alltrails
A Desert Slot Canyon
This is one of the most interesting desert hikes through the backcountry in the Mecca Wilderness in the Coachella Valley. Light paints the desert canyon walls along this hike in many shades of red, purple, green, and gold, depending on the time of day. The tall sheer walls of painted canyon will make you feel so small, in comparison.
Getting Lost
The slot is a fun place to be lost in. But this portion of the hike is not recommended if you’re someone prone to claustrophobia, or if you’re not a fan of climbing ladders. The cavernous slot canyon may cause you to feel like you have been swallowed up by some mythical creature, or if you will ever make it out alive.
Arrows Point the Way
The first time I visited here, the hike was just over 6 miles, since we ventured off trail a bit, and also missed a turn. There are arrows made of rocks instead of cairns, leading you on your way, but there are hardly any trail markers to speak of, except for the map, and sign at the trailhead.
Graffiti
There is fortunately no noticeable graffiti on this one, except for a few spots, where people spray painted directions to a trail, which looks awful, but could be helpful tto some, in the absence of signs. That’s why you really need a downloaded map on this one.
Rope Canyon
Heading into Painted Canyon, there is a Rope Canyon Trail that branches off from the main Ladder Canyon trail, right at the start of the trail, so it is easy to miss. This is not for the faint of heart. Once you exit the ladder portion of Ladder Canyon trail, you have the option to venture off to the left, and down the Rope Canyon, if you dare.
Getting There
The trailhead is located about 4.5 miles down the unpaved Painted Canyon Road.
It is a fairly sandy, washboard road, that is hard-packed in spots.
All types of vehicles make it to the trailhead, but use your best judgment, wherever goin off-road in your vehicle. The whole drive to the trailhead, as you make your way further from the Salton Sea, into the hills is rather scenic.
If you vehicle is low clearance, there is a chance you may get stuck in the sand. Driving on sand it not good for any vehicle since it can cause damage to your suspension and axle components on your vehicle.
Navigation
There is no cell-phone service in the canyon so it’s best to download the alltrails map ahead of time, or whichever offline map you prefer. Bringing a backup battery charger is advised.
Attire
You’re going to be climbing ladders, and walking in sandy washes, so rugged close-toed shoes are essential, in addition to sun protection, such as a hat. Be prepared for rapid temperature fluctuations. If it’s 60’s in the daytime, it drops to the 30’s and 40’s at night. The slot canyon will be much cooler than everywhere else on the trail, since little sun gets in. So plan accordingly.
Hydration
Bring more water than you need, and for a 3 hour hike, 2-3 liters would be the minimum water to bring, plus electrolytes, since without them, with plain water, getting dehydrated happens faster.
Hazards
There are many elements of danger to this hike. The first one to note is that the San Andreas fault runs right through it. This area was created by forces of nature deep below the surface, along with wind, and rain. Floodwaters unleash their fury on the desert periodically, and are the main forces responsible for carving out these slot canyons.
What is a Slot Canyon?
Southern California has thousands of named, and unnamed slot canyons, mostly in the desert. It is a long, narrow canyon initially formed as a channel or drainageway via erosion, by wind, and water.
It’s not unusual for slot canyons throughout the desert southwest to be as tall as 100 feet, and no more than 10 feet wide at the top, narrowing to a mere foot, at their base.
Geology 101
The types of rock found here are crumbly sun baked granite, sandstone, limestone, basalt, or other sedimentary rocks, commonly seen in the desert southwest.
The Hike Begins
The Ladder Canyon and Painted Canyon Loop Trail weaves its way on through the Mecca Hills Wilderness, starting in a sandy wash.
The desert wash here is a natural drainage, and you can see the result of thousands of years of erosion here.
Painted Canyon is a sandy wash trail, strewn with river rocks, and gravel. There are a beautiful series of rock formations along the way.
Huge chunks of rock wall have broken off, and there are many cracks visible in the sheer canyon walls.
You want to take this all into account, as you proceed, also given this hike is along the San Andreas fault.
You can start your hike on Painted Canyon trail up the wash, continuing a short way up the wash to Ladder Canyon trail, which begins off to the left. Alternatively you can hike this in a counterclockwise fashion, beginning with Painted Canyon.
The Terrain
The terrain along the way ranges from classic rugged desert sandstone, to crumbly granite, massive slabs of hard baked red desert clay, and colorful walls of stratified rock layers, exhibiting the passage of time.
Photo of Artist Pallette
If you have been to the Artist Palette in Death Valley, you will notice some similarities in the rock in this area.
The vibrant color palette includes shades of red, green, and purple. Depending on the time of day, and the amount of sunshine, the scene can be quite dynamic, as light paints this canyon in many colors.
This hike was made famous in part due to a fun assortment of ladders, used to access different parts of the slot canyon.
The hike proceeds up the wash until reaching a turnoff, that is not well marked, for Ladder Canyon.
Weaving your way through a twisting maze of rock, is how this portion of the hike begins.
You will climb up and over tons of large boulders, leaving Painted Canyon behind.
You will feel like true explorer at this point, trying to find your way.
You may make a series of wrong turns, as I did the first time I came here. Best to follow the footprints of those before you, and also consult alltrails.
The wavelike rock formations in this canyon, are like nowhere else I have seen in the California desert ,and sort of an anomaly.
I found myself gazing upward most of the way.
Then I came to the ladders, and that is where part of the fun began.
Some are missing rungs, so proceed with caution.
This is definitely not where you want to be if there is a flash flood warning. This canyon was carved mostly by floodwaters.
It got very cool and dark inside, and went on for a long ways.
Eventually the slot canyon portion of this hike ended. I spotted a turnoff for Ropes Canyon, but continued onward to high point.
There were lots of small wind caves along the way, in the sandstone rock.
Once on the ridge, there were lots of ocotillos, though there was little vegetation to speak of on the hike.
Scaling ladders amidst towering cliff walls is just part of what makes this one of the most popular desert hikes. The awesome views from the ridge make it so much more special.
We could see the the Salton Sea to the south of us. To the west are the desert foothills, and several high mountain peaks, such as Mount San Jacinto.
The hike continues back through the desert wash in a loop. Going late in the day, and it may be dark in Painted Canyon, so I recommend mid-day for seeing it at it’s most dynamic point.
This is definitely one of the most unique and exciting hikes to experience in the Coachella Valley.
Flash Floods
Slot canyons are subject to flash flooding, which can lead to life threatening situations. This is all too common in trails like “The Narrows,” in Zion, where multiple rescues have occurred. Rescues have occurred at Ladder and Painted Canyons as well.
Check the Weather
Just about every year adventure seekers disregard weather reports, in not wanting to lose their chance to hike this famous trail, since the permits are tough to obtain. This ignorance has led to several tragedies, such as in Zion’s slot canyon during monsoons.
A Unique Habitat
A slot canyon can form a unique microbiome, and be home to distinct ecological communities not found anywhere else.
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit is a cool winter, or early spring day, with highs in the 60’s, and 70’s, from Mid November to Early February. Go any other time, and expect it to be hot.
The Coachella Valley
The Coachella Valley is a major farming area, and its warmth helps grow produce for California in the winter.
Winter in the Desert
It stays on the cool side from Mid November to Early February. Snow capped peaks can be seen in the mountains in the distance. But in March expect a shift to the 80’s and 90’s, with the 100 degree highs May until June.
The Worst Time to Go
The absolute hottest time in the desert is from late June and September. In Mid October it begins to cool slightly, and by November, will dip back down into the 70’s again.
Socal Slot Canyons
Some other local hikes to slot canyons in Southern California are The Slot in Borrego Springs, The Hole in the Wall Rings Trail in the Mojave National Preserve, along with several others in Death Valley National Park, such as Sidewinder Canyon.
Then there are a handful of beach side slot canyons by San Clemente State Beach, and Annie’s Canyon in Solana Beach. There are also some slot canyons formed of granite slabs in Joshua Tree National Park, such as the Hall of Horrors, and Gunsight Canyon.
Famous Slot Canyons
The entire southwest is filled with slot canyons, especially throughout Utah, and Arizona. The most famous are The Narrows, Buckskin Gulch, and Antelope Canyon.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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