7.2 hr
Overview
The ride mapped on this page is a point-to-point, shuttle ride, utilizing a car at the parking spot near the Bighorn Country Club and the parking lot off Hwy 111 (see the parking symbol). <br><br>The ride begins just south of Bighorn Country Club on Highway 74 in Palm Desert. You'll be traveling in a very remote area and need to take plenty of water and be ready for repairs. At the midway point of the ride, you'll be 8 miles away from civilization of any sort so plan accordingly. Once you have finished Art Smith Trail, cross Dunn Road and start Hahns Buena Vista Trail. <br><br>After a very short climb, you'll be at Hahns Peak at over 2,500 feet and will have a great view of Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert. To the south, you'll be looking at the Santa Rosa Mountains and the Palm Canyon trail area. <br><br>After you descend Hahns Buena Vista Trail, watch for signs for Dunn Rd. and also "Trading Post". Once you enter into a wash, you'll intersect with Dunn Road Trail which climbs out of the wash on the right. Follow Dunn Road Trail on a roller-coaster ride through many smaller washes until you intersect Dunn Rd. At this point, those who are very fit and adventurous could make a right and climb southeast on Dunn Rd. and ride in a loop taking Art Smith back to Hwy 74 in Palm Desert. But, for the 15-mile point-to-point ride mapped on this page, you would simply cross Dunn Rd and hop on Cathedral Canyon Trail. <br><br>The trail climbs a bit and then steeply descends to the Cathedral City residential cove. Cathedral Canyon Trail suffers from erosion and is not an easy way down, but it is a fun place to work on your technical skills.
Trail Stats
23.2 km
828 m
804 m
219 m
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Photos
Taking a rest before the fun begins.
Taking a rest before the fun begins.
The wash on Art Smith Trail.
The wash on Art Smith Trail.
Looking southeast on Art Smith Trail.
Looking southeast on Art Smith Trail.
Art Smith Trail. Looking west.
Art Smith Trail. Looking west.
A few miles in and you'll already be soaring over other trails in the Palm Desert network.
A few miles in and you'll already be soaring over other trails in the Palm Desert network.
I rode through the desert on a horse with no name.
I rode through the desert on a horse with no name.
Start of Hahn downhill.
Start of Hahn downhill.
View from the top of Hahns Buena Vista Trail - from Palm Springs Airport to Palm Desert
View from the top of Hahns Buena Vista Trail - from Palm Springs Airport to Palm Desert
Freight train!
Freight train!
Watch out for the next left...a lot of riders miss it.
Watch out for the next left...a lot of riders miss it.