california - Orocopia Mountains - Red Canyon Wash Loop

A beautiful canyon wash loop in the Orocopia Mountains.

On Interstate I 10 take exit 173 Chiriaco Summit.
Turn right and take the old road (Pinto Road) west. You are now driving parallel to the I-10 towards Indio.

After about 1 mile you see a map on your left.
This is the only road you are allowed to drive, so follow the well marked Red Canyon RD/Trail.

This dirt road is like riding waves, up and down. Not a very bad road, but a higher clearance car and AWD are recommended.
Although I don't expect you will need the AWD, but conditions may change and there are stretches where you drive in the wash, with loose sand.

After about 6.4 Mile we parked.
But don't go beyond the point, where steel cables block the wash and the road turns left. This is the return route.

Hike along the road and stay on the road, at the wash with the steel cables.
After about 600 Yards, you will notice that the rocks on your left side are gone.
Leave the road and turn East and a bit the to the North.
The wash is close by and seek the best point to enter the wash.
We followed a small wash into the main canyon, but it may be simpler to just scramble down a bit to the left.

Instead of entering the wash at this point, you could follow the road and enter the wash there. (Easier, but less scenic)

Follow the canyon/wash down as the road crosses the road.
Keep in the wash, hiking mostly South.

At the fork keep going downhill.
The wash that was sandy, becomes more rock and you have to pass some small rocky drops of no more than 2 Feet.

The canyon widens and forks again, take a right turn and hike uphill. (North/West)

After about 1000 yards, notice the faint jeep trail leaving the canyon to the right.
Don't go there, but take the rocky wash a bit further on.
This wash is more narrow and it's sometimes blocked with some scrubs. Mostly the not prickly kind, like lavender.

Keep right and after about 700 yards, it's easier to go a bit out of the wash to your right.
On top of the saddle, you meet a jeep trail. Continue in the next wash, in other words, just follow the wash over the saddle and pick up another wash going down on the other side, going straight over the saddle.

Keep right in the wider sandy wash below.
Follow it downhill, until you meet another sandy wash, turn left, uphill to the car.

Pictures

Hiking time: 2 Hour, 20 Minutes.

Make sure you have some navigational aids with you, it's pretty easy to get lost out here.

We hiked here mid March 2011, on a Saturday in total solitude.
So be prepared, you may not encounter anyone out here to help you out.