california - Orocopia Mountains -Red Canyon - Pinnacle to Palms loop

A scenic hike with nice canyons, great overlooks and a palm oasis.


Hike further into the canyon.
The Pinnacle canyon is a mayor fork to the left, after about 0.5 Mile.
Follow the tire tracks into the canyon.

Once you see a red waterfall on the right, continue on the dirt road, more steeply uphill.
Keep right on the road and make your way into the canyon to the right.
You could follow the road and end up in the canyon a bit further.

Cross the road and keep in the canyon.
As you cross a white flat rock in the wash, veer of to the left and hike up the ridge (West).
This leads up to the canyon wall of the canyon west of Pinnacle canyon.

Turn left (South) and hike more along the canyon wall.
Keep on going south until you see a canyon below with a steep cliff.
This is a small fork of the canyon to the right.

It looks almost impossible to get there, but if you follow the slick rock wash, with some small rocks it's easy.

Just before the end a small fall, easy to bypass to the left.
Follow the small canyon and surprise a spring with a handful of palms.

In the main canyon, we shortcut the hike by going out of the canyon to the left.
A dirt road goes in the right direction, follow it.
Follow the dirt road up to the point where it turns left uphill.
Keep on going cross country towards the car. This is easy at this point.

The pictures

This book pointed to this hike:
140 Great Hikes in and near Palm Springs Philip Ferranti.
It combines parts of hike 135-137.
The return loop isn't part of the book.

How to get here.

I10 exit 182 Red Cloud Road.
Turn right, drive for about 0.4 mile.
At the point where the Red Cloud Road turns right under the I10, turn left and drive the dirt road.
Follow the marked Summit Road (13.2 Mile = 20 minutes).
At one point you enter a white wide wash, look for the road to the left, don't drive too far in the wash.

As the Summit Road ends at an information sign, continue on the Bradshaw trail.
Take the second Red Canyon Road exit to the right (for about 0.4 mile).
In the wash the Red Canyon veers of the right, continue more in the middle of the wash and park.

WARNING:
The Summit road looks as it could be driven by any car.
Don't try it, you need a higher clearance AWD.