The Goat Trails in Palm Springs

Goat Trails of Palm Springs

Primary access to the Goat Trails, off Highway 111

The Goat Trails is a network of doubletrack roads and informal singletrack trails that are in the low hills above the south part of Palm Springs CA. The Goat Trails have also been called the Rimrock Trail and the Von's Trail.

The Goat Trails receive use that varies with the season. As many as 300 users per day can be seen from October to April, from sunrise to sunset. About 50 users per day take to the trail in the morning and late evening from late Spring through October.

Property Ownership

The Goat Trails are on private property. The initial doubletrack ascent and an iron gate are owned by John Wessman, as represented by his acquisition/management firms GRIT Development, Wessman Development Company and Wessman Holdings. A small parcel of 3.92 acres is owned by Desert Water Agency to locate two large water storage tanks. The upper portions of the Goat Trails are owned solely by Palm Hills Land Corporation, a large landowner in undeveloped portions of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument. Less than one quarter mile of trails edge into property owned by U.S. Department of the Interior, which has the parcel (APN) 681-160-018.

Controlled Access

The iron gate maintained (perhaps) by Wessman Development Company contains several indications that the property is private, including a painted-over sign that directs inquiries to the Palm Springs Police Department. Calls to the listed number did not reach a person with knowledge of the property and any restrictions to its use.

The gate is usually secured with a heavy chain to which several padlocks are attached. At least one padlock is controlled by the Palm Springs Fire Department, another is controlled by Desert Water Agency. Presumably, other padlocks are controlled by the Palm Springs Police Department, Wessman Development Company, and an agent of Palm Hills Land Corporation.

Uncontrolled Access

Uncontrolled access points to the Goat Trails

Two points near East Palm Canyon Drive (Highway 111) allow the easiest access: bypasses of the iron gate and a trail to Hermit Crest. In the overview image from Google Earth...

• Highway 111 crosses the top of the image.
• The iron gate is marked with a green cyclist avatar and the doubletrack is outlined in a magenta curve at the botrom of the image.
• The trail (Path T) to Hermit Crest is outlined as a magenta curve from near the top center of the image to double back on itself as it climbs to Hermit Crest. A secondary trail (Path Y) continues to meet the doubletrack up from the iron gate.

Accesses are also available from official trails nearby: Araby Trail at the northwest corner of the Goat Trails, Garstin Trail to Berns Trail at the northwest corner of the Goat Trails, Wildhorse Trail to the southwest corner of the Goat Trails, Clara Burgess Trail to a couple points on the south side of the Goat Trails, and Eagle Canyon Trail to the east side of the Goat Trails.

Iron Gate

The iron gate is usually padlocked, and near-annual grading activities include placing large rocks and dirt piles outside the gate to thwart access. However, the padlocks are often cut off, and the many hiking and biking users wear a trail that bypasses the dirt piles soon after they have been placed.

Hermit Crest

A second access from the area of Highway 111 is via a separated hill, unofficially named "Hermit Crest." A poorly maintained doubletrack climbs the hill, starting from the northwest in a clockwise semicircle. As it reaches six o'clock in its circle, the doubletrack breaks apart and doubles back to the right, still heading up. Shortly thereafter is a trail to the left that will join the ramp up from the iron gate.

Araby Trail and its access to the Goat Trails

Araby Trail

The end and highest point of Araby Trail (orange line) connects to the Goat Trails (magenta). Limited parking is available on Rim Road, near the lower trailhead.

The distance on Araby Trail is 1.78 mi. The ascent from 415 feet to 1347 feet is difficult for mountain bikes, but possible. The descent is "black diamond," but enjoyably challenging.

Dogs are not allowed, not even on leash. Several cutoffs exist, and the Desert Riders attempt to keep these from growing—please avoid following cutoffs.

Garstin Trail and Berns Trail and the access to the Goat Trails

Garstin and Berns Trail

The end of Berns Trail (orange line) connects to the Goat Trails (magenta). Berns Trail can be reached by climbing Garstin Trail (orange line) or Shannon Trail from the north (not highlighted). Limited parking is available on Barona Road, near the lower Garstin trailhead.

The distance on Garstin Trail is 1.19 mi. The distance of Berns Trail is 1.04 mi. The Garstin ascent starts at 543 feet to the turnoff to Berns at 1424 feet, and Berns ascends to 1513 feet (a large cairn), descends to a wash at 1151 feet, and climbs to meet Araby Trail and the Goat Trails at 1322 feet. The ascent is difficult for mountain bikes, but possible. The descent is "black diamond," but enjoyably challenging.

Dogs are not allowed, not even on leash, due to conservation of Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. Several cutoffs exist, and the Desert Riders attempt to keep these from growing—please avoid following cutoffs.

Bogert Trail and its access to the Goat Trails

Bogert Trail

Bogert Trail (middle orange line) leads up to the area of the Goat Trails, although its upper trailhead is about a half mile short of the Goats.

Bogert Trail is 1.76 mi long. Its lower (west) trailhead is at 772 feet, which rises to 922 feet in the first quarter mile. From this point, the trail descends to 815 feet in the second quarter mile, then rises to 1298 feet over the next half mile, where it meets the junction of Garstin (top orange line) and Wildhorse (center-to-bottom orange line) trails. Heading east from the junction, Bogert rises to 1307 feet where it connects to a minor trail of the Goat Trails (magenta lines). The ascent is moderate for mountain bikes, and the descent is intermediate difficulty, with a few challenging aspects.

Dogs are not allowed, not even on leash, due to conservation of Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. The Desert Riders maintain this trail—please avoid following cutoffs.

Clara Burgess Trail

Clara Burgess Trail (orange line) descends north to its trailhead from Murray hill (mountain symbol). From the trailhead sign, descend into Eagle Canyon, and ascend on the north bank to the Goat Trails.

From the west, Clara Burgess separates from Wildhorse Trail at 1780 feet and ascends to 2192 feet over 0.73 mi to the tops of Murray Hill. From Murray hill, Clara Burgess descends to 876 feet over 1.56 mi. For bikes, the west ascent is moderate; the north ascent is difficult but doable. The descents are "black diamond."

Dogs are not allowed, not even on leash, due to conservation of Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. The Desert Riders maintain this trail—please avoid following cutoffs.

Eagle Canyon Trail

Section to be added...

Goat Trails overview of doubletrack and points of interest

Goat Trails Guide

The Goat Trails consist of doubletrack trails (shown in matenta) and singletrack trails (not shown here). Several points of interest can help orient the hiker or biker:

• Hermitage—an abandoned former encampment of homeless to the west of Wessman Ramp
• Hermit Crest—a sometimes active encampment of homeless on a low hill northeast of Wessman Ramp
• Wessman Ramp—a long, wide rock and gravel roadway that rises from an iron gate to a set of iron posts
• Corral Cut-Off Trail—a steep singletrack that occurs within 100 yards of the iron gate, passes the Hermitage, and reaches So-So Corral Road after about 0.58 mile of climbing
• Double Tanks—a pair of water reservoirs maintained by Desert Water Agency that are near the top of Wessman Ramp
• Palm Hills Quarry—an inactive quarry for sand, gravel, and rock that is reached by the Wessman Ramp
• Momtakwit Wall—a small cliff that rises above the doubletrack as it leaves Palm Hills Quarry at its south end; Momtakwit is the first leader of the Cahuilla
• Merry-Go-Round—a curved rectangular mound surrounded by doubletrack
• Eagle Canyon—a major geologic feature of the Goat Trails that forms the south boundary of the trail network
• Gene Autry Hook—a hillside curve of doubletrack that, when seen from Lonely Heart Overlook, seems to be a continuation of Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs
• Lonely Heart Overlook—a promontory and corner of the doubletrack that is the site of a heart-shaped cairn, which is gradually rebuilt after near-annual road grading destroys the past year's work
• Caliente Basin—a broad drainage shelf that spreads west of the Merry-Go-Round and northwest of Lonely Heart Overlook and that includes several criss-crossing singletrack
• So-So Corral—an abandoned corral that is adjacent to a long-unmaintained half circle of doubletrack
• So-So Corral Road—the long-unmaintained half circle of doubletrack that circles north side of Caliente Basin
• Mad Dog Canyon—the canyon to the west of So-So Corral Road, named for the aggressive dogs kept by the owner of land at the canyon mouth
• Istam Way—a section of doubletrack from Lonely Heart Overlook to the Stone Man Monument; Istam is the coyote clan of the Cahuilla
• Stone Man Monument—a human-shaped cairn at the tee-intersection of Istam Way and Tuktum Way
• Tuktum Way—a section of doubletrack from Bob Hope Overlook that passes Patencio Promontory and continues into middle Eagle Canyon; Tuktum is the wildcat clan of the Cahuilla
• Patencio Promontory—the highest point of the Goat Trails; Alejo Patencio was the leader of the Cahuilla Kauisiktum clan ~1890 to 1930
• Bob Hope Overlook—the northwestern corner of the Goat Trails, where the Berns Trail and Araby Trail access the Goat Trails.

Entrance trails and points of interest, Goat Trails

Entrance Trails

Most hikers experience only this first third of the Goat Trails, which constiutes the entrance trails. The aggressive climbs on the entrance trails are, arguably, the more difficult part of the Goat Trails.

Wessman Ramp 

This .28-mile doubletrack trail rises from the parking area to beyond the access to the water tanks. This private property is owned by Wessman Development Company, and Desert Water Agency has an easement for its use to maintain the Double Tanks.

Corral Cut-Off Trail

Corral Cut-Off Trail 

This steep singletrack west of Wessman Ramp starts within 100 yards of the iron gate. The trail passes the Hermitage and reaches So-So Corral Road after about 0.58 mile of climbing.

Double Tanks 

Desert Water Agency owns and maintains this pair of water reservoirs. Trespassing is absolutely forbidden, and its property is video monitored and secured by a padlocked gate. Dr. Grottis Path affords an overlook of the tanks.

Dr, Grottis Path and Water Tanks Trail

Dr. Grottis Path and Water Tanks Trail

The lower trailhead of Dr. Grottis Path is on the right, just beyond the Double Tanks road. The ascent is challenging for mountain bikes, and it is a popular alternative to the longer doubletrack through Palm Hills Quarry. The upper trailhead of Dr. Grottis Path is at the north side of the Merry-Go-Round.

An alternative path, Water Tanks Trail, separates from Dr. Grottis Path above the water tanks. The Water Tanks Trail has an upper trailhead near the northeast corner of the Merry-Go-Round.

Palm Hills Quarry

Palm Hills Quarry

Palm Hills Quarry was active while the primary landowner, Palm Hills Land Corp, pursued rogue plans for building roads outlined in their planned housing development. Although PHLC mapped a development of some 75 lots and connecting streets, the addition was never approved by Palm Springs. The quarry still has piles of sand, gravel, and rock as well as roughly-graded portions of the planned streets. During the rainy season, some portions of the quarry are filled with accumulating run-off from the higher trail and hills.

Several short trails head off to the north and east from Palm Hills Quarry. Only two of these are of note: Path E leads down to Canyon Plaza, and Reservoir Lane leads to the dam at the mouth of Eagle Canyon (0.22 mi).

Quarry-Wall Way, trails, and points of interest

Quarry-Wall Way

This 0.59-mile doubletrack trail continues from Wessman Ramp into Palm Hills Quarry (473 feet above sea level) and then up three distinct, steep sections separated by small reliefs. It finishes at the northeast corner of the Merry-Go-Round, at 797 feet. Several small trails depart from the third climb.

Momtakwit Wall

Momtakwit Wall is a small cliff that rises above Quarry-Wall Way as it leaves Palm Hills Quarry at its south end. Momtakwit was the first leader of the Cahuilla.

Quarry Fall Line

Opposite Momtakwit Wall is a primary fall line (the shortest line downhill, which is often the location for most water erosion) that threatens Quarry-Wall Way seasonally. The landowner has never successfully built a bypass of this fall line, and winter storms often take out the doubletrack to become as small as a singletrack trail.  Cue the training in building sustainable trails!

Brakeman's Lane

The lower trailhead for the short Brakeman's Lane has been obscured by recent heavy equipment work on Quarry-Wall Way. The trailhead will be reinstalled once the grading work is complete. Wooden stakes at the top of Momtakwit Wall locate the trailhead in the meantime. Brakeman's Lane has relatively few users, and its upper trailhead is at the southeast corner of the Merry-Go-Round.

Merry-Go-Round and trails

Merry-Go-Round

This .3-mile doubletrack circles a hill at the top of the approach into the Goat Trails. Many singletrack trails connect to the Merry-Go-Round:

• Its north side to Dr. Grottis Path
• Its northeast corner to Quarry-Wall Way
• Its southeast corner to Brakeman's Lane
• Its southwest corner to Gene Autry Hook and Lonely Heart Trail
• Its northwest corner to Caliente Crossing and So-So Corral Road. 

This trail is more extreme than a pump track, with nice downhills followed by tough climbs, whether you ride clockwise or counter.

Eagle Canyon

a major geologic feature of the Goat Trails that forms the south boundary of the trail network

Gene Autry Hook

This quarter-mile doubletrack continues from the southwest corner of the Merry-Go-Round up to the Lonely Heart Overlook. When seen from Lonely Heart Outlook, the hook seems to be a continuation of Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs.

Lonely Heart Overlook

a promontory and corner of the doubletrack that is the site of a heart-shaped cairn, which is gradually rebuilt after near-annual road grading destroys the past year's work

Caliente Basin

a broad drainage shelf that spreads west of the Merry-Go-Round and northwest of Lonely Heart Overlook and that includes several criss-crossing singletrack

So-So Corral

an abandoned corral that is adjacent to a long-unmaintained half circle of doubletrack

So-So Corral Road

This .83-mile, long-unmaintained half circle of doubletrack circles the Caliente Basin. The trail offers superb downhill clockwise and some extreme climbing counter-clockwise.

Mad Dog Canyon

the canyon to the west of So-So Corral Road, named for the aggressive dogs kept by the owner of land at the canyon mouth

Istam Way

This .85-mile doubletrack leaves Lonely Heart Overlook and heads to the Stone Man Monument. Several singletrack trails head off along its length.

Back Trails

Owners of Record

Palm Hills Land Corporation 

141 W Jackson Blvd, Fl 39
Chicago IL 60604
Reference: California Business Directory
Reference
Reference

Palm Hills Corporation 

135 S LaSalle St, Suite 3250
Chicago IL 60603
Reference
Reference

Schlecht Shevlin & Schoenberger

600 E Tahquitz McCallum
Palm Springs CA 92264
Reference: company website 
Reference

US Dept Of Interior 

Washington DC 21401
Reference
Reference

Wessman Development Company 

555 S Sunrise Wy, Ste 200
Palm Springs CA 92264
760-325-3050 (Jeanette Sanborn)
Reference: California Business Directory
Reference: Personal profile of John Wessman
Reference

Reference: lawsuit
Reference: 14th story
Reference: Palm Springs council mention "Palm Hills"

Online sources

Text

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/03/travel/la-tr-0430-palm-springs-biking-20110403
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/cathedral-city-ca/goat-trails-palm-desert-route-168637262
http://www.mountainbikebill.com/PalmSpringsGoatTrails.htm
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/the-goat-trails-private-property
https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/the-goat-trails.html
http://hikeyhikey.blogspot.com/2012/10/hiking-palm-springs-goat-trails-to.html
https://pscyclery.com/about/goat-trails-to-cat-trails-route-pg412.htm (content removed due to lawsuits against several local businesses)
http://www.mtbr.com/trails/united-states/california/Palm-Springs/goat-trails-and-indian-trails.html
https://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=BGS048-025
https://www.trailforks.com/trails/goat-trails-outlet/
https://www.bikepirate.com/tag/goat-trails/
http://www.distancetobetraveled.com/goat-trail-page-information.html
https://www.triabike.com/local-rides-and-trails/
http://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3629&view=previous
http://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3629&view=previous

Video

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxMKlxruVsw (3:27)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0qT998vsC0 (6:33, May 2010)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Cfa8LQ9kM (2:15, March 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SO2PFAXzTA (2:11, March 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXV50PRMsvs (9:55, March 2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h5LGjBMqZw (4:56, May 2010)
 

On the proposed CVLink for the Palm Springs region

Imagine having a road all to yourself for jogging with the rosy-fingered sunset behind you, ravens making a black flutter above you.

Imagine leaving the golf course on your electric cart, escaping along the wide Whitewater Wash, clubs rattling softly to accompany your solo ride home.

Imagine yourself among friends on their bikes in that heaven between the sky and the pavement, the gears buzzing like cicadas as you share a couple of spare energy bars with the other cyclists.

Imagine the pull from your dog when he sees a Gray Heron float to a rest in the wash below, and your chance to point out that part of nature to your two kids on their trikes beside you.

A Real Bike Trail Comes to the West Coachella Valley

Gravel levee above the Whitewater River, future site of the Whitewater
Bike Trail

All these are not daydreams. They will be soon a part of the leisure activities easily at hand to all in Palm Springs and Cathedral City. In early September 2016, the cities of Palm Springs and Cathedral City agreed on the construction and maintenance of the Cathedral City Whitewater Bike Trail.

The trail "will extend along the west levee of the Whitewater River between Ramon Road and Vista Chino." Cathedral City will construct the concrete bike and pedestrian path for a total distance of about 2.5 miles. (The west levee of the Whitewater River follows below the easterly walls of the Escena development, and it is located within Riverside County Flood Control District rights-of-way.) At Ramon Road, the path will continue west along the north side of Ramon Road for approximately 0.22 miles to end at Crossley Road. The path along Ramon will be added within the existing right of way.

Artist rendering of the Whitewater Bike Trail, near Ramon Rd

Although long-developed plans for CV Link incorporate the levee from Vista Chino south to Ramon Road, the engineering of the Cathedral City Whitewater Bike Trail is distinct from the valley-long corridor. The Cathedral City planning document states, "The Whitewater Bike Trail is a project being undertaken solely by Cathedral City separate from CVAG's CV Link project. Cathedral City is the lead agency on this project, and has completed an environmental document and final design. Cathedral City prepared a conceptual presentation on the proposed elements of the Whitewater Bike Trail."

Planned route, with access points at A and B

Because part of the trail is located in the City of Palm Springs, a contractual agreement between the cities outlines how costs are shared:

• Cathedral City is 100% responsible for all construction cost.
• Cathedral City is 100% responsible for all maintenance costs within the City of Palm Springs for a period of 5 years, or until CVAG assumes responsibility for the maintenance of the trail as part of CV Link.
• Palm Springs grants Cathedral City permission to construct the trail located within the City of Palm Springs.
• Palm Springs is 100% responsible for all maintenance of the trail located in the City of Palm Springs 5 years after Cathedral City completes the project, until CVAG assumes maintenance of the trail as part of CV Link.

CV Link—Connecting the Coachella Valley

CV Link is a proposed 50-mile pathway that connects the Coachella Valley for the use of walkers, runners, cyclists, and low-speed electric vehicles. At least 75% of the funding for CV Link has been committed for construction that is expected to start in 2017 and end about 2020 for its first phase. A second phase that connects Desert Hot Springs at the north end and Salton Sea at the south has not been given construction dates.

As in many other cities nationwide, the development of CV Link will include some gaps in the corridor. However, the gaps mean only that walkers, runners, cyclists, and electric vehiclists will need to use city streets between the end of CV Link in one city and the resumption of CV Link in another. At this point, only one city—Rancho Mirage—has refused to participate and will be responsible for a gap.

 In April 2016, the City of Rancho Mirage received voter input on four related referenda—written by political opponents to CV Link within Rancho Mirage government—that were generally interpreted as a desire to "opt out" of CV Link unless the voters elect otherwise at some future date. On February 29, 2016, Sherry Barkas wrote in The Desert Sun that "the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Executive Committee voted Monday to officially leave Rancho Mirage out of the CV Link project." The Rancho Mirage city council members continue to voice opposition to supporting CV Link in their community. 

In the November 8, 2016 referendum on their local ballot, voters in the City of Indian Wells have an opportunity to decide whether CV Link can go forward only if there is another, future ballot initiative that results in a majority approval. If this referendum is passed, CV Link will be impeded in Indian Wells by this new obstacle, since, characteristically, building projects are undertaken after city council approval, without city-wide voting.

It's now four years later since my last post on this blog. I no longer commute by bike to work. For a while, my work was at home, and I am now retired. So there seemed to be no need for entries about commuting by bike.

I ride my bike now for the enjoyment itself. To enjoy the activity. To enjoy my new hometown, Palm Springs CA. I ride often for errands, and I ride often in the hills to the south of Highway 111.

It's time to rethink what this blog is about. So bear with me as I try new topics, new approaches.

My most recent rides are documented on Strava:

• Quick climb before cooking dinner 
•  Out to G. Ford-Sinatra, Cook to Kurt's and 111
•  After 4 p.m. Indian Cyn and Tuscany
•  Toward the Trading Post with John S
•  Tooling around after the gym
•  Long short way to the gym 
•  Joshua Tree NP with John S 
•  Goat Trail Dbltrk at end of day

May the wind be at your back, even after the turn-around to go home!

Rimcrest and Goat Trails, first return

Saturday, 10 December 2011

Panorama from the Goat Trails, above the Bob Hope mansion

 So today I finally got the self-confidence to return to the Goat Trails above Rimcrest Plaza. Lots of walking the bike and maneuvering with one foot to terra firma, even though I was riding double-track trails for the most part. But as the ride progressed, the tentativity relented except for the most crumbly descents.

The walk-a-bike sections were in what are usual places for my Winter visits to the trails: the steepest part of the second climb (below a north-facing cliff), in the approach of the first hilltop, on the south uphill of the circle around the first hilltop, on the steep escape from the same circle, and a couple of isolated sections after the stone man intersection. With another ride or two through this course, some of these walks will transition to riding, I'm sure. Part of that expected progress is in regaining a sense of body position over the wheels combined with slightly better timing of my shifting.

On the way nearing the stone man intersection, I heard somewhere behind me a police siren, and I stopped to view the course behind me. Stopped at the promontory of the plateau corner was a Palm Springs black-and-white with its lights flashing. I wondered if they were trolling for riders because of some closure that wasn't announced at the gates. The black-and-white continued toward me as I headed on to reach the overlook to Bob Hope's home.

The patrol truck reached another promontory above me as I negotiated a sliding downhill between them and the Bob Hope overlook. I stopped again when their siren sounded, and I whistled a shrill blast after a silence from them. One of the patrolmen had stepped out of the truck, and waved me on. He turned and raised binoculars to sight across the deep divide between Araby Cove and the hills that formed the east side of Palm Canyon, and I looked in that direction. There on the northeast-facing hills was a glider wedged between two outcroppings.

From the overlook above the Bob Hope
mansion, looking north to Palm Springs

I headed on to my goal, and the patrol truck headed down the same trail, showing more traction than I thought possible with the sliding rock and dust trail. They took a turn-off that I knew headed toward a wash through even rougher terrain while I headed the short distance to the overlook.

Heading back from the overlook, I took the same turn-off, even though it meant some tough walk-a-bike stretches. I just had to see if their truck could actually navigate the trail and cross the wash. By the time I had made it through 150 meters of downhill, I saw one of the patrolmen far ahead near the wash, walking the trail toward me. His attention was to his rear, walking up the trail, looking backward below him, and signalling as he went. In a few seconds, the black-and-white passed from behind a ridge. It was returning up the trail in reverse, guided by the gesticulating officer. I too turned around, and reached the main tail only shortly before the patrol truck. To make way for them on the trail back, I took a rockier single-track around the most rocky and steepest double-track while the truck navigated the double-track with much more surety than I could.

Ride conditions
Temperature: 68 to 72°F at 11:00
Precipitation: none
Winds: calm 
Clothing: Skinsuit, ankle socks, SPD-cleated sandals, open-finger gloves
Bike: Trek 3700 trail bike
Time: 01:37:51 for 12.36 miles
Heart rate: not available

Playback of the ride