The Chuckwalla Trail is located in Rancho Mirage, California, and is unlike any trail that we’ve reviewed thus far. You can find it on Frank Sinatra Drive directly across from the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage.
Trees and abundant life surrounding you? Nope. Great views and tranquillity surrounding you? Check!
The trail is well marked throughout, but if you have a fear of heights this may not be the hike for you because there are several sections involving a pretty significant precipice to the jagged valley floor below you. 😳😬
While hiking boots aren’t required, a good pair of trail running shoes are recommended due to the rockiness and undulating slopes of the trail.
The physical/mobility requirements are most often of a moderate level.
Perhaps your greatest challenge will be parking. Although there is a convenient parking lot at the most frequented trail entrance, it is clearly marked as being private property owned and maintained by the Ritz-Carlton. If their signage is to be believed, parking there as a trail enthusiast may just result in your vehicle being summarily removed from the premises, so park at your own risk.
If you embark on your journey as an out and back experience you can expect your travels to traverse a little more than 3 miles. Our team began our journey at the aforementioned trailhead and made our adventure a looped course by utilizing Frank Sinatra Drive to lead us back to our starting point (for just under a 2 mile journey lasting just over an hour).
Although we did not observe any wildlife during our journey, it was easy to imagine others encountering a snake or two at a minimum.
And that’s Henry’s Take.
