The most popular hike in Palm Desert, a steep but short climb up the south face of the Santa Rosa foothills directly above the Coachella Valley floor. The trail is about 4 miles round trip with roughly 900 feet of elevation gain, ending on a ridge with sweeping views over the entire valley, from Palm Springs in the west to Indio in the east.
Go early. By 9 a.m. in winter the parking area at Painters Path fills up; in summer the trail is genuinely dangerous past sunrise — people require rescue from heat illness here every year. Bring more water than you think you need. Trail is closed in spring during peninsular bighorn sheep lambing season; check the signs at the trailhead.