Yucca Ridge Viewpoint–Morongo Valley, 4 sights
12.9 mi · ▲ 1,316 ft · 4 hr 57 min
Yucca Ridge Viewpoint–Morongo Valley, 4 sights is a 12.9-mile out-and-back in Big Morongo Canyon Preserve near Desert Hot Springs, CA. The route passes Morongo Valley before reaching Yucca Ridge Viewpoint at the turnaround, 6.4 miles in. It climbs 1,316 ft. It scores 47/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Yucca Ridge Viewpoint–Morongo Valley, 4 sights
12.9 mi · ▲ 1,316 ft · 4 hr 57 min
Elevation 1,403–2,569 ft
Out & Back · Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Trailhead: 33.99065, -116.54459
Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 109°F / low 81° · precip 1% · wind 15 mph · sunrise 6:01 AM · sunset 7:46 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
- 0.4 miSharp left, heading SW.
- 0.8 miTurn right onto Big Morongo Canyon Trail, heading N.
- 4.7 miPass Morongo Valley.
- 150 ftBear right onto West Canyon Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 miBear left onto Mesquite Trail, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Yucca Ridge Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miReach Yucca Ridge Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Mesquite Trail, heading S.
- 150 ftBear right onto West Canyon Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear left onto Big Morongo Canyon Trail, heading S.
- 4.8 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.8 miSharp right, heading E.
- 0.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~42 min). Leave by 6:44 PM for the 7:46 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Via Diablo via Mission Creek Road 8.6 mi · ▲ 545 ft
- Scenic Drive via Mission Creek Road 9.9 mi · ▲ 629 ft
- Mission Creek Road 10.2 mi · ▲ 656 ft
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