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This rugged trail will challenge you to the core! A true epic that is brutal and incredibly rewarding.


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Map Key

16.3

Miles

26.3

KM

Singletrack

4,349' 1,326 m

High

1,465' 447 m

Low

894' 272 m

Up

2,948' 899 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

There are cattle boundary gates, please keep them closed!

This trail is best ridden from October - May, at the latest. This area gets 110 degree summers that tap into spring and fall as well. Check weather conditions prior to riding!

Near the bottom of trail, the signs will recommend going right but by mid 2019, you can now enter and go left, avoiding the three-mile dry wash. HIGHLY recommend avoiding this left trail on the weekends due to high traffic from hikers.

Description

This is a shuttle ride. It's recommended to leave a car on Hwy 111 and Date Palm Dr. Park at the top on Hwy 74 and Pine View Dr. There are several places to stage a car at the bottom depending on which option you decide to finish out the ride.

I strongly recommend bringing a GPS and having this trail downloaded to the MTB Project mobile app! The trail has very few markings and plenty of false turns, so be prepared. When you ride about a mile or two from the start, you'll get some great views of the desert floor. Take a moment to get your bearings, because you'll be looking down a huge canyon (nice work!).

Three essential ingredients you'll need to complete this ride: water, water, and WATER! It can go from bone chilling to roasting hot between the top and bottom of this ride. Goatheads, pinchflats and massive burp-outs will definitely cut into your saddle time. Whatever your preference, BRING TUBES!

When you make it to the Art Smith Benches. I recommend the Epic. Hahns over to Wild horse then out to Vons.

Like I said, in all caps and repetitively, it ain't over........rolling out Dunn rd. To cathedral canyon is probably the easiest way out if your spent at the benches or out of water, or its 105 and you didn't call the weather right.

Shared By:

Paul Rogers

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 2 votes

#26911

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  3.0 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#2,370

in California

#26,911

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Photos

The IMBA Palm Canyon Epic near Cathedral City.
Dec 31, 1969 near Cathedr…, CA
The dreaded "Sand Slog" 3.4 miles of dry riverbed. We caught it after a rain, so it was pretty firm. Can be a sandbox though.
Jan 27, 2019 near Cathedr…, CA
Oasis.
Jan 10, 2019 near Cathedr…, CA
View from the too
Jan 10, 2019 near Anza, CA
The wash is not as bad as the whiners say. Slow and steady wins the race!
Jan 10, 2019 near Cathedr…, CA
Near the trailhead--prepare for a bit of exposure!
Aug 23, 2019 near Cathedr…, CA
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