Get Outside and Explore
I would hike 11 miles roundtrip to Mount San Jacinto from the tramway. It was not the first time I had climbed Mount San Jacinto. In fact I had climbed this mountain from Idyllwild once, a year ago, as a birthday present to myself. I love challenging myself, and with the temperatures down in Palm Springs into the triple digits, it was a perfect time to escape the desert heat, on a tram ride.
I decided to hike on down Whiting Spur on a foggy May morning into Whiting Ranch. This is not a place I hike solo due to high mountain lion activity. It is a beautiful and scenic natural area nonetheless. I saw so many unique varieties of wildflowers along the way.
Ladder and Painted Canyons are 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.
Are you ready for a perfect 3.5 mile hike through wildflowers, oaks, interesting rock formations, with amazing mountain views? Then check out my hiking guide to Weir Canyon, in Orange County, California. It's one of the Best Hikes in OC.
The trailhead for Bernardo Mountain is in San Dieguito River Park, by Lake Hodges. It's a 3-4 hour hike, and about 6 miles.
Serafina Hikes 