Story:
We hiked this with our 18-month-old (sometimes walking, sometimes riding in a backpack). It's a nice hike with some good views of Palm Desert, continuous rock outcroppings, and at least one oasis with palm trees (there may be more, but we had to turn back due to the time). It's essentially uphill the whole way (not both ways!).
Note that for most of the year (Jan 1 to Sep 30), much of this trail is closed due to lambing season of the bighorn sheep. We accidentally traveled some of the verboten route because some relevant signs had been removed by vandals. Granted, the existing signage could be more clear about which parts of which routes are OK. (There are no maps available, which also makes it easier for vandals to change the routes as they see fit.)
We hiked this with our 18-month-old (sometimes walking, sometimes riding in a backpack). It's a nice hike with some good views of Palm Desert, continuous rock outcroppings, and at least one oasis with palm trees (there may be more, but we had to turn back due to the time). It's essentially uphill the whole way (not both ways!).
Note that for most of the year (Jan 1 to Sep 30), much of this trail is closed due to lambing season of the bighorn sheep. We accidentally traveled some of the verboten route because some relevant signs had been removed by vandals. Granted, the existing signage could be more clear about which parts of which routes are OK. (There are no maps available, which also makes it easier for vandals to change the routes as they see fit.)
Tips:
You will likely go further and in less time if you are not hiking with an 18-month-old, and can start earlier in the day (or a different time of year, e.g., not Winter) when the sun sets later.
This trail is written up on a few other sites:
You will likely go further and in less time if you are not hiking with an 18-month-old, and can start earlier in the day (or a different time of year, e.g., not Winter) when the sun sets later.
This trail is written up on a few other sites:
- * Hiking in Palm Springs
- * Trails.com
- * SoCalMTB.com
- We didn't see any mountain bikers while we were there. Probably because (a) there are some difficult parts where you'd definitely need to walk the bike and (b) if you fall, you are either sandpapering yourself on the rock or getting acupuncture by cactus. But there were tire tracks, so *someone* is riding there.
Comments (3)
April 7, 2013 We completed the Art Smith Trail today. I have hiked Skyline, Mt Whitney, Grand Canyon, etc. This is a STRENUOUS hike. Although elevation gain is 1,400+ in 8 miles, trust me it is. We continued our hike to Dunn Rd down to Cathedral Canyon, which appeared to be around 5 miles. Dunn Rd is a good road where you can make up time. It took us 5 hours to reach Dunn.....1 3/4 hours to reach Cathedral Cyn. We came upon a male and female Big Horn Sheep around the 4.5 mile area. After seeing the sheep, we passed only 2 other people the rest of the hike!!! So to say, it is remote after the oasis.
by Bigtoe on Apr 07, 2013
Hmmm, I dunno where the GPS file went. It doesn't look like I can add it again without recreating the trip from scratch, so I've sent an email to EveryTrail about the problem. If you're heading to Art Smith Trail soon and would like the GPX, lemme know and I'll forward it to you.
by stanford on Mar 08, 2010
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