Sweet Valley High

Garstin Trail Palm Springs Hike San Jacinto National Monument

Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective. And getting up high to see things from a different view does the trick! At 3.6-miles (round-trip) the zigzagging Garstin Trail at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument satisfies with mind-expanding vistas of the Coachella Valley and a wealth of craggy desert peaks. The trail offers close-up charms, too: Multitudes of chubby round barrel cactus line the hillside, and side-blotched lizards perform push-ups on rocks. Garstin Trail takes off from a ritzy cul-de-sac, then climbs high above 5,000-square-foot homes as it ascends 900 feet up Smoke Tree Mountain. At 1.5 miles, you’ll reach a small plateau and a junction with Shannon and Henderson trails.

Continue uphill for another 100 feet to a massive rock pile providing a 360-degree view. Mighty Mount San Jacinto dominates the scene to the west, but there’s also pointy Murray Hill and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the south. To return, backtrack to the Shannon/Henderson junction, hang a right on Shannon, connect to Henderson, and circle back to your car.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Drive south on S. Palm Canyon Dr. to Bogert Trail. Turn left, drive 0.9 mile, and turn left on Barona Rd. Park in the cul-de-sac. Additional info at Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Screaming Good Garden

    Combine a classic scary movie backdrop and life-size elephant garden sculptures in beautiful downtown Sonoma.

    View
  3. A Hike to the Past

    This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

    View
  4. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

    View
  2. Welcome to the Ice Age

    Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

    View