Hiking in Palm Springs & Coachella Valley areas (San Francisco, San Jacinto: purchasing, live)

[POhdNcrzy]

Wow, 105dF and a dew point of 29 this evening. That is amazing. So hot and dry you must wanna faint or choke! I guess this is the weather that you guys keep warning us about!

I read in the news about the naked hiking on the Solstice. In your local paper there a police representative stated, "We aren't expecting nude hikers here on Sunday. It's too hot right now for day hiking."

Hah ha. This really brings me to my next question. I get the feeling that the low desert/Coachella Valley area is not really a big area for serious athletes even though you have the following:

1. Mt San Jacinto with by far the most continuous vertical relief in the continental US! 250 ft up to 11,000+ ft. elevation. Right in your "backyard"! Cactus to Clouds Hiking Guide

2. Nice roads heading up through mountains such as Peak to Palms Hwy.

3. Sunny weather with little precipitation and little humidity.

IS IT TOO HOT AND DRY TO BE AN ATHLETE THERE??

If it's really hot in Palm Springs, wouldn't a nice hike up to 5,000 ft. elevation or so cool you off?? As for me, I think 105dF is VERY HOT, but personally I would have no unmanageable problems hiking or jogging at that temperature.

What am I missing here guys???

Another thing I'm very curious about. It seems some of the main hiking trails there require purchasing special day passes or entry fees and stuff and/or are located on Indian Reservations or Nature Preserves kinda stuff. I guess I could deal with that but hiking is an activity I like because one avoids all those silly civilization-related hassles. (Especially the $$$ entry fee stuff!)
Is this really an issue with hiking around Palm Springs/Coachella Valley? Where I've lived and traveled in Colorado, we mostly just park the car and "hit the trails". Real simple. Real fun!

Any info helps, guys!!

[Twinkle Toes]

We have a lot of hinking trails here and yes - believe it or not - even in the heat we diehard athletic desert rat gym rat types DO brave the heat and go hiking. However, I can't say I've ever hiked nude. Too many critters out here for that!

[POhdNcrzy]

Come on, see what I mean?

Are there any posters in the Coachella Valley (besides TwinkleToes) who hike or bike and can answer some of my questions?

[Twinkle Toes]

Why not me? I live here and have lived here for a long time and I'm athletic and I hike. So ... what the hell was your question anyway?

[POhdNcrzy]

Oh Twinkle, don't you know by now that you are A-OKAY in my book??

I want more than one poster's input. Also, please read the last paragraph of my post and try to help with that question please. (i.e. Can I drive to the local trailheads, park, and just hike on in? I'm not used to paying entry-fees or signing up for a special pass just to go hiking.)

Also, what/where are the popular trailheads around there?

[Twinkle Toes]

Yes - most trails you can just park and walk in. That's what I do.

My son, who is a personal fitness trainer, leads his clients on hikes once a month. He has a lot of really nice locations - some more challenging than others. When I talk to him later today I'll get some of those locations and post them for you.

[tilegirl]

I am sorry for not posting earlier.
I thought the answer was somewhat obvious.
The hiking, biking, and running season is, well, SEASONAL.

It is beautiful in the months between Oct 1st and May 15th. Then you must go indoors or travel to a cooler climate area. They gyms are jumpin' in the summer.

I catch up on my reading between short jaunts to Oregon or Hawaii during the summer. Read up on Joshua Tree N.P.
Swim.

[tilegirl]

You can take the tram in Palm Springs up to the top, and hike into Idyllwild. You can also drive to Idyllwild and hike, and they have a service that drives you around to the tram (about 50 min drive) and you hike into Idyllwild and then stay in a cabin there while you take a little vacation.
Just don't get lost. Humiliating when the chopper has to come and find you.
Also, the roads in Palm Springs are horrible for cycling. Like Tijuana (no offense to Mexico, honestly) If the gaping potholes and cracks in the street don't get you, the giant swearving SUV drivers talking on their cells phone will mow you down. Very scary...

[HikingBikingSwimming]

I'm actually in the process of moving to Palm Springs. I love the hiking there. I've stayed in PS for 6 months at a time and the biking is easy and coming from San Francisco, I think in great shape! :-)

Some of the best hikes have entry fees. I do love Indian Canyons and going up on the Tram. I probably would not move to Palm Springs if it was not for the Tram. You can be in a pine forest in only 20 minutes from PS, love it!

[HikingBikingSwimming]

Plus, I think PS would be an ideal place to train for Triathlons from October to May. And extreme heat training June, July and August!