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This interesting hike follows the Jo Pond trail from Cedar Spring to Palm Canyon. Along the way are a green valley, the Desert Divide crest, a cedar grove, exciting Garnet Ridge, colorful geology, steep flanks, lots of switchbacks, desert canyons, cacti, yucca and a palm grove finish. The highlight is continuous views of the surrounding mountains and Coachella Valley. Long, sustained descents and sections of vague, intermittent trail make this a challenging adventure. Bring plenty of water on warm days.
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7,500 ft
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fee accessno dogsoct - aprany vehicle
It's best to plan a vehicle shuttle so you can do this as a one-way hike. You may wonder: should I hike uphill or downhill?
You could start from the bottom at the Palm Canyon Trading Post and hike uphill to Cedar Springs, but this would involve a lot of elevation gain and the Indian Canyons toll booth often doesn't open until 9:00am which makes it hard to get an early start.
It's easier to start from Cedar Springs and hike downhill. It's less of a workout and you'll be able to take in more of the great views. There's no toll booth at the top so you can start whenever you like. Finishing in Palm Canyon also typically means you're just a short drive from town after a long day of hiking. However the relentless descent can be uncomfortable if you have tender knees or joints.
The choice is yours. If in doubt, hike downhill unless you're sure you want the bigger workout.
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