The Goat Trails
Trailhead location is in Palm Springs on the east side of the Rimrock Shopping Center (Vons Grocery) at 4721 S. Palm Canyon Dr (aka Hwy 111), near where Gene Autry Trail intersects. Go around the gate and ride up the dirt road.
The "goat trails" got its name because of the many different single tracks that criss-cross the double track roads as shown in this video taken by one of our local riders. Check out his other videos of the area while you are on his YouTube site.
Because of the great vistas, it is easy to keep orientated by knowing that San Jacinto Mountain is to the west and the desert floor is north. The dirt road makes a turn toward the west where you will encounter an steep (12%), but short, section. Continue in a westerly direction experimenting with different trails off the main dirt road. At one point, you can take a double track trail toward the north for great views of Palm Springs, including Bob Hope's house directly below the viewpoint.
Further west, you will come across a saddle where several trails merge. There is a sign post that points the way to Wild Horse Trail. There is some hike-a-bike on that trail, but worth the effort if you want to continue south and eventually hook-up with upper Dunn Road or climb Murray Hill. Most riders will turn around here and retrace your route back to the start. Note that the marked trails of Garstin, Shannon, Barns, Araby, and Henderson are not authorized for MTB under the new trails plan. Please abide by these rules so we can continue to bike on the many approved trails.
There is plenty of other internet info about The Goat Trails
Murray Hill Clara Burgess Trail
This is the pointed peak that is very prominent south of The Goat Trails. The Clara Burgess Trail going up the west side of Murray Hill at a signed trailhead off the Wildhorse Trail that can be reached from the Goat Trails to the north or the Dunn Road trail complex to the south. Views from the top Murray are fantastic. Click here
Dunn Road
In the 1960's, Mike Dunn illegally cut this road thru the Santa Rosa Mountains from Hwy 74 south to Cathedral City. He was speculating on land development that never happened. After many years of erosion in several areas, the road today is impassable except by horse, foot, or MTB. The 4 mile ride up to equestrian picnic tables and an abandon bulldozer is very challenging with only the fittest cyclists able to clean the entire road.
Just west of the intersection of Channel Dr. and Carroll Dr. in Cathedral City, there is a locked gate at the start of the road. This is the southwest corner of Cathedral City Cove, a housing area on the hillside south of Hwy 111 past the end of Cathedral Canyon Dr.
Please note that the lower part of the road goes thru private land and this constitutes trespassing, so the Desert Bicycle Club does not promote or recommend you riding this part of the road. There are other ways to get to the upper part where the best riding is located. Click for photos
Hahn Buena Vista Trail
This is one of the best single tracks in the area. It intersects Dunn Road at the picnic tables/bulldozer at the top of the Art Smith Trail and proceeds west over the hill and drops down to Vandeventer Trail & East Fork Dry Wash. From there, you can go north and connect to the Wildhorse Trail and the Goat Trails. Note that Vandeventer Trail continues west into tribal lands where bicyclists are prohibited. Same goes for Fern Canyon Trail if you see that trail sign. Check this Internet site
Art Smith Trail
This is one of the most challenging (technical) and longest single tracks in the area. The trailhead is on the west side of Hwy 74 in south Palm Desert just before the highway narrows to go up the mountain. The top of Art Smith intersects Dunn Road at the picnic tables/bulldozer. This allows access to other trails in the upper part of Dunn Road area.
Bump and Grind -- Hopalong Cassidy -- and other Palm Desert Trails
Palm Desert is very trail friendly, having recently cut in new trails for all to enjoy. These trails are located in the hills that are southwest of the Hwy 111/Hwy 74 intersection. The trailhead is along Painters Path Road behind the Crossroads shopping center that has Target and Sports Authority at 72549 Hwy111. Take Fred Waring Blvd west across Hwy 111 and turn left on Painters Path. Look for trail signs on the south side of the road. NOTE: may hikers on these trails, but mountain biking is allowed and welcome. Remember to share-the-trail.
The Mike Schuler Trail goes west up a series of switchbacks local MTB'ers call 'the zipper' and over to Gump and Grind. This is an old road with great views from the upper end. Near the top, there is a single track that cuts across, then down a very steep section that most hike-a-bike. At a trail intersection, you can go left (north) and back to Painters Path Road, or right and explore the other trails in the area.
Or, instead of taking Mike Schuler Trail from the Painters Path Road trailhead, take the Hopalong Trail that goes left, opposite the Mike Schuler. You will be going south and up, then past the trail intersection mentioned in the above paragraph. Continue in a southerly direction and explore several possibilities.
Orientation is easy when you know that any trail going north will take you back to Painters Path, or if you take any trail in an easterly direction and down, you will come to double track that follows a drainage canal. Take that old road north (left) back down to Painters Path. For more information, click here. You will find a trails map on that city link.
Palm Canyon Epic
Click this link for a good description of riding in our area. This epic ride is a one way trip that requires a shuttle. Contact Evan at Big Wheel Tours for shuttle service or guided mountain bike tours.
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