HIKING AND EQUESTRIAN TRAILS AND CORRIDORS

The following is a list of horse trails taken from appendix A of the backcountry management plan

California Riding and Hiking Trail (CRHT) - 37 miles one way (E-MS)
The trail passes through a wide range of park vegetation, including pinyon/juniper forests, Joshua tree forests and creosote-dominated lowlands. Access can be gained in numerous locations including, Black Rock Campground, Covington Flats, Ryan Campground, Twin Tanks backcountry board, and near north entrance. There is a spur of the trail at mile 28 leading to the Covington Flats parking area (2 miles) and another spur at mile 35.6 leads to Black Rock Camp (1.5 miles). The 7-mile section from north entrance to Pinto Basin Road is also designated as a bike trail.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Boy Scout Trail - 8 miles one-way (M)
Access can be gained at the Indian Cove backcountry board or the Keys west backcountry board. This trail provides a variety of terrain and views as it travels through picturesque washes along the edge of the Wonderland of Rocks. It is lined with juniper, pinyon and oak trees then follows a rocky hillside and continues through steep mountains and narrow canyons. The east side of the trail and the open desert near Indian Cove is for day use only. Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

BLACK ROCK VICINITY

Long Canyon/Chuckawalla Bill Corridor - 8.5 miles one-way (MS)
Long Canyon runs from near the northwest boundary of the park due south to the park's south boundary near Desert Hot Springs, winding down through high mountains. About halfway along the main canyon, a side canyon leads to Chuckawalla Bill ruins. Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Little Long Canyon Corridor - 1.2 miles one way (E)
This is a small wash west of Black Rock and east of the more extensive Long Canyon. The corridor ends at a knoll at 4,560 feet elevation that provides a limited view of Warren Peak and the surrounding hills. A more open view is available along the way and there is prolific vegetation. The corridor also includes a 0.2 mile spur that follows an old unused road that leads west to an overlook toward Morongo Valley. Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

West Side Loop Trail - 5.1 mile loop (MS)
This trail begins and ends at Black Rock Campground. It is interesting for its geology and vegetation and creates a feel for the wilderness area where it is located. It contains a pretty, narrow ravine.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Black Rock Canyon with Panorama Loop/Morongo View - 6.2/5.3 miles (MS/M)
This trail begins and ends at the Black Rock Campground. This is a pretty canyon with multiple viewpoints on top with outstanding panoramic views of Coachella Valley, including the Salton Sea and the Black Rock vicinity.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Short Loop Trail/via Fault - 4.9/4.3 mile loop (M)
This very popular trail through oaks, pinyons, and junipers, is nice but short. It begins and ends at the Black Rock Campground. The Fault trail leads past a rupture from the 1992 Landers earthquake where crevices are still visible.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Burnt Hill Trail - 2.8 miles one way (E)
Starting at the Black Rock Canyon Trail 0.8 mile from Black Rock Campground, this trail ends at Eureka Canyon Trail. The hill in the middle of the valley burned sometime in the 1970s. A good wildflower display can sometimes be seen in the spring.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Canyon View Trail - 1.6 miles one way (MS)
This trail connects the Short Loop Trail with the Eureka Peak Trail, running parallel with the Eureka Peak Trail within about 0.25 mile to the west. It is a beautiful trail offering fine vegetation and good views of the local canyon system.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Cliff Trail - 1.7 miles one way (MS)
This trail connects the California Riding and Hiking Trail near mile 35 with the Eureka Peak Trail. It was named for its proximity to the abrupt top edge of Eureka Canyon near its deepest spot, at which point one can walk over and look down. The new proposed action adds .5 miles that take the rider out of the wash into the piñons, junipers, oaks, and nolina to offer view of the canyon system.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Eureka Peak Trail - 5.2 miles one way (S)
The trail begins at the California Riding and Hiking Trail mile 35.6. Excellent views are available from the 5518-foot peak. The trail passes through a narrow canyon and pine forest. The view includes Mt. San Gorgonio, the Coachella Valley, and an incredible view of Mt. San Jacinto towering above the Coachella Valley. The trail continues beyond Eureka Peak and joins the California Riding and Hiking Trail at mile 32.2.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Boundary Trails E and W - 2.5 miles one way (E)
These trails follow the park's north boundary linking Black Rock with other trails. The west trail connects the West Side Loop Trail with Long Canyon Corridor. The east trail connects Black Rock Camp with the newly designated California Riding and Hiking Trail south of La Contenta Road.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Deerhorn Trail - 2.65 miles one way (M)
Accessible from mile 31.9 and 32.94 of the California Riding and Hiking Trail, this trail is one of the favorites of the local horse users. It provides sweeping views and a variety of vegetation, and deer are frequently sighted.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Covington Loop Trail - 3.95 miles (E)
This trail intersects at Deerhorn Trail in Upper Covington Flats and proceeds through Lower Covington. It passes through an area burned over during the lightening-caused Covington Fire of 1995.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Covington Crest Trail - 1.7 miles one way (MS)
This trail begins at the California Riding and Hiking Trail mile 29.5 and heads south to an overlook of the Coachella Valley at 5,022 feet.

Bigfoot Trail - 12.7 miles one way (E-S)
This trail begins near Eureka Peak and heads east through Lower Covington and on toward west entrance and terminates at Samuelson Rock and the cabin site. Much of this trail is within the burn area of the 1995 Covington fire. It links the Black Rock vicinity trails with the west entrance vicinity trails. Difficulty depends on section and direction of travel.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Bigfoot Spur - 0.7 mile one way (M)
This spur trail connects the Eureka Canyon Trail with the Bigfoot Trail. It is popular for those wishing to head east to Lower Covington Flats and not proceed to Eureka Peak.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Nolina Cove Spur - 0.25 miles (E)
This spur leaves Bigfoot Trail to connect with roads in the Whispering Pines development.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

WEST ENTRANCE VICINITY

West Access Trail - 1.7 miles (E)
Provides direct access to the Burro Loop on the north side of Park Boulevard as well as the connector to Bigfoot on the south side.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

North Side Access - .7 miles one way (E)
Joins the west access trail with the North Side Trail somewhat parallel and north of park route 12 running east to west.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Cactus Cove View - .2 miles
Provides access from Joshua Highlands to the park and offers a 360 degree panorama view from the ridge at the park boundary.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Quail Springs Historic Trail and Wash - 7.8 miles one way (E)
This trail begins at Quail Springs Wash near the park's north boundary or at the Quail Springs Picnic area or Keys west backcountry board. This road/trail travels across an open valley dotted with Joshua trees and then joins and follows the wash to the north boundary.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Mary Trail - 1 mile one way (E)
A parallel alternative to the sandy Quail Wash, this trail leaves the wash near the park's boundary and is named for the survey monument located between the wash and trail.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Johnny Lang Canyon Corridor - 3.2 miles one way (MS)
This trail begins at the Quail Springs historic route southeast of Samuelson rock and the cabin site, and the corridor ends at the end of the canyon where the Ryan Mountain connector trail begins. The canyon provides quiet beauty and variety of terrain, vegetation, and views. Pinyon pines grow in the rugged, rocky valley in the upper canyon.

Johnny Lang Connector Trail - 1.8 miles one way (M)
This trail connects Johnny Lang Canyon with the old Lost Horse Road just south-west of Quail Springs picnic area.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Samuelson West Trail - 1.8 miles one way (E)
This trail begins at Quail Wash about 1 mile south of north boundary and ends either at the Bigfoot trail 0.4 miles north of Samuelson Rock or 0.75 mile from Samuelson if taking the northern spur. A 0.3-mile spur in the middle of this trail leads to a large hunk of multicolored quartz.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Panorama Trail - 3.3 miles one way (MS)
The new proposed action includes a reroute of the bottom of the trail. This trail begins at Quail Wash near the north boundary and ends at the Bigfoot trail 0.75 mile south of the south side connector trail. The trail offers extensive panoramic views.

South Side Connector - 0.5 mile one way (E)
This trail connects the Window/Maze Loop Trail just east of the borrow pit staging area to the Bigfoot Trail south of Route 12. The connection leads to all trails south of route 12 to the west and east.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

North Side Trail - 1.8 miles one way (E)
Accessed via the borrow pit, this trail leads to the Burro Trail to the north.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

North and South Side Connector - 1.1 mile one way (E)
This trail links the North Side Trail with the Bigfoot Trail near the west entrance, crossing over park Route 12.

Burro/Rocky View Loop Trail - 3.5/1.2 miles (M/MS)
There are two access points for these trails. One is by way of North Side Trail from the borrow pit and the other via BLM land near Panorama Heights. Access through the BLM land adds 0.5 mile of trail inside the park. This area is rugged and beautiful; the trail follows routes through canyons and across ravines. Rocky View follows a rugged course with a wide variety of terrain and rock formations.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Maze/Window Loop Trails - 4.85/5.7 miles (MS)
This trail begins and ends at the borrow pit. The loops offer numerous rock formations, several vistas, and a sense of wilderness. The trail wanders through rock formations and around a hole on the top of a mountain that the trail circumnavigates. Bypassing the Window Loop shortens the trip by nearly a mile.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

North View Trail - 3.25 miles one way (MS)
This favorite trail of local equestrians begins at the borrow pit and ends on the Maze Loop. Many viewpoints are outstanding.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Big Pine Trail - 3 miles one way (E)
This trail starts from the North View Trail 0.25 mile north of the Maze Loop and travels east to the Boy Scout Trail with a 0.6-mile one way spur to the Big Pine.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

RYAN/LOST HORSE/TO NORTH ENTRANCE

Lost Horse Loop - 8.4 miles from parking lot/12.6 from Ryan Campground (MS)
This trip includes Lost Horse Mine and Lost Horse Mountain over a high ridge to a remote valley where Joshua trees and pinyon pines are common. By not completing the loop and backtracking to the parking lot, the mine trip is a moderate 4 miles long. By not completing the loop and backtracking to Ryan Campground the mine trip is 9.9 easy miles.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Squaw Tank Trail - 4.2 miles one way (M)
This trail links the California Riding and Hiking Trail near mile 15.2 with the Geology Tour Road at Squaw Tank. The trail passes through some impressive geological formations, including Malapi Hill.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Ryan/Johnny Lang Connector Trail - 4.6 miles one way (MS)
This trail connects the Johnny Lang canyon corridor with the California Riding and Hiking Trail near mile 20.

Stubbe Springs Loop - 6.5 miles (M)
Beginning at the California Riding and Hiking Trail at mile 20, this trail initially follows about 1 mile of the old Juniper Flats Road then heads south and west to near Stubbe Springs. From the Stubbe Springs wash it travels north to cross over the old Juniper Flats Road and rejoin the California Riding and Hiking Trail at about mile 22.5.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Cap Rock Trail - 3 miles one way (E)
This trail begins at Ryan Campground and joins the California Riding and Hiking Trail near mile 19. It provides an easy loop from the campground with a variety of scenery.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Old Lost Horse Road Trail - 5 miles one way (E)
This trail begins at Ryan Campground and travels through Lost Horse Valley to the Quail Springs Historic Trail.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Old Queen Valley Historic Road Trail - 6 miles one way (E)
This trail connects the Pine City backcountry board with the Wall Street Mill area via an old road north of Negro Hill and continues on to Echo "T" intersection. A 1-mile section of this trail near Wall Street Mill is also part of the Ryan Mountain Loop Trail.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Ruins/Lost Horse Well Road/Trail - 1 mile loop (E)
This road/trail is adjacent to the Ryan Campground. The ruins can be seen easily from the campground, and the route follows old roads that are closed to vehicles.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Ryan Mountain Trail - 3 miles round trip (MS)
This route begins at Ryan Mountain parking area and provides outstanding 360º panoramic views from the 5,461-foot peak. No horses are permitted on this trail.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Ryan Mountain Loop Trail - 9.75 mile loop (M)
This trail begins at the Ryan Mountain Campground and completely encircles Ryan Mountain and joins the California Riding and Hiking Trail near mile 14.2. It provides a nice view of the Lost Horse Valley.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Lost Horse Valley Trail - 2.5 miles one way (E)
This trail begins at Ryan Campground and travels through Lost Horse Valley due north to the Echo "T" intersection.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Pine City Trail - 3 miles round trip (E)
This trail starts at the Pine City backcountry board. This island of desert greenery contains large pine trees among an isolated collection of rocky walls and boulder mounds. This is a good place for viewing bighorn sheep and birds.   Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Lucky Boy Vista/Queen Mine Loop Trail - 6.8 miles round trip (MS)
Visitors use the Pine City backcountry board location for overnight use or begin at the Lucky Boy Junction for day use. The trail goes to a high, level plateau that provides excellent views. Points of interest include Elton Mine, Desert Queen Mine, Eagle Cliff and the Lucky Boy Vista.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Contact Mine Trail - 3.4 miles round trip (MS)
The trail begins and ends at the north entrance exhibit. The mine produced gold and silver in the early 1900s. Building ruins, old machinery, tram tracks, a cable winch, and partially collapsed shafts are still visible.

North Entrance Access Tail - 0.5 mile one way (E)
This trail provides access from BLM section 14 in Gold to the California Riding and Hiking Trail mile 0.5 near the north entrance.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Wall Street Mill Trail - 1.5 miles round trip (E)
This trail begins at Wonderland Ranch parking area. The mill was used by Bill Keys to process ore from the Desert Queen Mine and is in a pretty area on the southern edge of the Wonderland. There is a stone marker along the way that reads, "Here is Where Worth Bagly Bit the dust At the Hand of W.F. KEYS, May 11, 1943."  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Face Rock Spur -.15 miles
Spur trail leads to an amazingly life-like Face Rock and nearby historic stock water trough.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

AREAS EAST AND COTTONWOOD VICINITY

Pushawalla Canyon Corridor - 12 miles one way (MS)
This corridor runs from the Pinyon Well parking area to the south boundary accessible from Dillon Road. The corridor includes a good variety of vegetation and scenic views and lies in an area that is seldom visited.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Fried Liver Wash Corridor - 14 miles one way (E)
Access is at either the Pleasant Valley backcountry board or Pinto Basin Road. This corridor follows a wide sandy wash that winds its way from the Mojave Desert through the transition zone and into the Colorado Desert. During good years for wildflowers, this wash provides a colorful spring display.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Hexahedron Mine Trail - 8 miles round trip (MS)
This trail begins at the Pleasant Valley backcountry board and follows the Fried Liver Wash corridor for the first 2.5 miles. It then turns north into the Hexie Mountains to the mine. The hike up the mountain provides a variety of panoramic views. While the mine itself is of little interest, a nearby roofless rock house is interesting.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.

Big Wash Corridor - 16 miles one way (E)
This corridor links the Black Eagle Mine Road in the Pinto Basin with the Eagle Mountain Road east of the Eagle Mountains. This old road/trail passes through the heart of the Eagle Mountains in the bottom of a large sandy wash.  Horses and other stock animal are allowed.