Showing posts with label Araby Trail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Araby Trail. Show all posts

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Million Dollar Views

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO

Today the weather in the Coachella Valley was supposed to be terrible. Instead, it was very nice and in the afternoon it was perfect for a hike. Of course, for me every day is perfect for a hike.

I hit the Araby Trail in Palm Springs and head up to the hills above Bob Hope's House. It's late afternoon so most of the hike is in the shade. It's a good thing because although it is not real hot today, it is kinda humid, like 40%.

At the bottom of the hill a trailer park shares the same driveway as the mansions above.

The trail could use a little work since this palm tree is blocking most of it. It is not a problem for me but it might prove a solid obstacle for others.

There's no need to bring out the heavy equipment to fix the trail. A chain saw would have been OK.

The trail heads on up the hill by the Bob Hope House. I thought Chrysler owned this at one time. Who knows, maybe you could get it pretty cheap right about now.

The trail soon takes you past the mushroom shaped house and up into the hills above. You don't have to be a millionaire to enjoy this view.

I come to the Berns Trail and could take it to some other trails but instead decide to hike up to the little peak just to the west of the trail junction.

The peak is topped by this pile of rocks. I add one for luck.

Down below, you can see light pouring into the Coachella Valley.

Just as it does above Mount San Jacinto.

As I relax on this little unnamed mountain top, I feel like I'm the richest man in Palm Springs and with views like this I don't know if there's anyone who would argue with me.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Thanks for the memories!

Day Twenty One
This week is Classic week; the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament is in town.  It's a big week in the desert and the official kick off of the "season".  Because of this I decided to hike up to the Hope House, the most famous home in Palm Springs.  This home is up on a hillside above Palm Springs and the closest most people ever get to is Hwy 111.  Well, there's a trail that goes right near it called the Araby Trail and it not only gets you very close to the Hope House, it also offers very nice views of Palm Springs and the San Jacinto Mountains. 


Here's the Hope House viewed from Hwy 111

The Araby Trail takes off from Southridge Drive in Palm Springs.

At the beginning of your hike you get to hike by this illustrious trailer park.

Not only do they tell you there's No Trespassing, they also give you the number of the Palm Springs Police so you can report yourself.

Note the trail on the hillside to the left of the Bob Hope House.

Here's view from right behind the house. You'd think they could have found a better place for the water tank.

Here's a view a bit higher up.

The Araby Trail is a pretty fun hike and connects with several trails higher up giving opportunities for several possible longer hikes.  

More info on the Hope House can be found here.