Precisely what people have said, intense, steep, rough terrain and STUNNING views. I only made it part way up before I turned around. It was a bit too intense for me with a busted shoulder (long story). That being said, what little way up I did go, it was well worth it.One tip...the trail has a few markers, but also has white spray paint dots that you can follow along the trail when in doubt.

It was very steep for most of the hike. Do your research, bring at least one friend, be fully prepared for snow/ice (shoe spikes really helped), and make sure that youll be to the tram station before 6 pm. Bring more than 1 gallon of water. We started at 2 am and used bright headlamps. Encountered a mountain lion and it followed us, trying to hunt us if we got separated. We were eventually able to scare it off by throwing big rocks at it and yelling.I would definitely hike it again. Maybe with 2 friends next time.

Fun little hike to a spectacular viewpoint. Underrated.

Great trail, with amazing views

A very steep trail which offers some stunning views of the Palm Springs Valley and surrounding landscape. This trail climbs about 1000 feet in elevation in just under a mile, and even continues multiple miles more up to 8000 feet elevation to the top of the mountain if one desires. Challenging but rewarding.

Intense but beautiful hike with great views of the desert. Best time to do it is late fall until spring when the temperatures are litter and it makes it easier. Carry enough water with you, you will need it. Also start early. Ive seen most people start around 4-5 am so they would hike a good portion of it before the sunrise and the heat. People do it during summer, too but I wouldnt. Besides the workout itself Im also looking for enjoyment. No permits needed. Free parking at the trailhead. You could park on the street or inside the covered structure at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Get it off your bucket list and move it on your yearly list!

Beautiful hike. Prepare for steep incline 99% of the hike. Follow white dots spray painted on to rocks for the first switchbacks (roughly 1-2 miles).

I visited here from San Luis Obispo. Definitely will come back to climb the expert trail known as Skyline trail.

Very satisfying mountain peak to hike up. Took us and kids a couple hours there and back. Lots of rocks, make the steep climb easy grip wise and safe.There’s even an option to extend the hike much much more with several trails leading over the other side of the mountain. I believe you can hike all the way to the aerial tram from here!There are several areas with steep drops so maybe not the safest for inexperienced or very small kids.We hiked up in December around the Christmas holidays and there were people constantly going past us, friendly folk here. Also my jumper was too hot.Elevation was 1350feet and 0.8miles to the top.

I swear Ill do the whole trail someday...but I can definitely recommend the first mile (up to the top picnic area) as an excellent 4:30am wakeup hike.Even with my flashlight dimmed, it was pretty easy to follow the real trail and not make any shortcuts or missteps. The first mile is not very difficult, and any able body over 12 years old shouldnt have much difficulty (in winter with water and good shoes).Great views...the higher you are, the better it gets. Oh yeah...dont forget to bring a towel.

Convenient hike adjacent to the heart of Palm Springs, going straight up the hillside to offer great views of the city and surrounding valley. The trailhead is in the back of the art museums parking lot, which has many signs that parking is reserved for museum attendees. Just across the street is a free public parking structure. The trail is very steep and moderately strenuous. Be careful with loose rocks on the trail, as they can easily be knocked downhill atop other hikers.

The trail is great, steep and rewarding. views of the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs area are great. I strongly recommend a dawn hike, as the sunrise here is spectacular! Take lots of water, and drink all the way, once the sun starts hitting the trail, it is fearsome hot, even in winter.

Best in the mornings as afternoons get too hot. Once you get to the picnic benches above the Museum head south to link up with North Lykken Trail to emerge at the west end of Ramon Rd. Please stay on the trail - prevents getting lost and preserves the plants on the hillside.

An all day event even for people in great shape. Worth the adventure and the views are incredible. Start early in the morning to avoid the heat and choose the time of year wisely. Dont plan on doing anything the rest of the day.

A really nice trail to hike. It is a good idea to hike it during fall. During this season is not too hot and the amount of water to carry decreases considerably so you can go lighter.

Hardest hike of my life. It took us 15 hours. But we didn’t die. Definitely add this to your bucket list. We started at 330am. But I recommend starting earlier to beat the heat and enjoy some extra time at the peak! Bring a minimum of 6L of water.

Let me clarify some confusing reviews here. C2C is the hike that starts behind the art museum, goes up to the Peak of Mount San Jacinto and back to the tram. Its about 21 miles in total and its over 10k ft of climbing. Some of these reviews are only for a portion of the hike- and while they sounds lovely, they arent THE C2C. If you are really thinking about hiking C2C read some blogs and go on over to AllTrails as Yelp probably isnt the best resource for a serious hike. However, Ill give you the quick overview. First, its hard. Not impossible and if you are in decent shape, stay out of the heat and drink enough you will be fine. You need to start before sunrise as even in the winter the desert floor gets warm when the sun comes up. The first 8 miles is straight up in the desert with no water. Did I mention it is also about 8000 ft of climbing. After that you head to the ranger starvation and get your free wilderness permit so you can hike to the peak. If you are out of water you can walk to the tram as they have a gift shop. From the ranger station its 5.5 miles to the peak. While those miles only ride 2400 feet they seem hard since you just ascended 8000 ft. 2.5 miles from the peak is round valley (elevation 9100 ft) which may have water depending on the season. It should be purified before drinking. The peak can be reached only by scrambling up rocks for about 150 ft. Then you turn around and hike back to the tram. Very few brave souls hike all the way back down to the art museum (the gradient is just too brutal on the k

I was in the area for a convention for a few days and wanted to hike this trail, but needed to do it outside of my obligations at the convention. I woke early and walked to the trailhead, arriving just before 4 am. I hiked 2.5 miles in (about 3/4 miles past the picnic area) to a rocky high point that provides a nice view of the city and the sunrise. I am not an avid hiker but am in decent physical condition. I didnt have hiking boots, but my Sketcher walking shoes worked great. The hike took me 1.5 hours up, but it was dark for a large portion of the hike, which slowed my progress up. I returned down the North Lykken trail and was eating breakfast at Shermans by 7:30 AM. The 5-mile trip turned out to be a very pleasant hike that in daylight I think could be completed in two hours by someone in reasonable physical condition.

My hotel sat really close to the base of the hike near the museum. I was visiting Palm Springs with my mom and while I like to go on long walks every morning, she doesnt so I was by myself exploring the city on foot everyday. I had gone every direction from my hotel.....except up. I had found the trail head on a previous walk and decided to give it a shot. I am not a big fan of solo hiking, but decided if I didnt go too far it was ok. I only went up about a mile because I hadnt told her I was going to be gone any longer than usual. So here is my take. This hike is pretty difficult, not just because it goes straight up, but the terrain is pretty rocky and sometimes more of a scramble than a hike. On the more difficult route you follow little white dots to stay on the path. The view is definitely worth it though and with sturdy shoes it is not too hard. The pictures do not do the view justice. I hardly saw anyone up here either. Felt very peaceful just sitting and admiring the view. I will go back again and hike further because I really enjoyed it!

Been hiking up here my whole life.

Plan for a work out! Trail is no joke. Throughly enjoyed this trail. Offered great scenery with difficulty. I considered this my work out for the day.

Great hike, amazing views, challenging, and felt like I had the place all to myself.

Tough climb but well worth it. Pretty cool hike.

The ascend is beautiful all the way up but ascend it is. There is somewhat of a trail but it is pretty rocky and fairly steep at various points. Just follow the white dots sprayed on some of the rocks along the trail and youll stay on the trail.

Great hike

Steep hike but worth it when you get to the top. Great views overlooking downtown Palm Springs.Follow @lusolondon for more pics.

So beautiful up there.

The Museum trail (beginning of this trail) is short but quite steep, but do not miss it as the view over the city and the valley is absolutely gorgeous. You can also extend the trail and avoid the back and forth by returning with the North Lykken trail (less than 1mi South). Or continue to the peak, which is another story.

Freaken hard but fun hike. Views are amazing, but you will earn them so... be prepared, be very prepared and very careful.

Awesome Trail! Beautiful Scenery

Great views of Palm Springs and the surrounding area, even if you arent a hardcore climber like some of these reviewers. Dont be intimidated - hike 15 minutes up and back for a great view of Southern Palm Springs, and if you hike up 10 minutes further, youll be rewarded with a great view of Northern Palm Springs. All for free!

Easily accessible from downtown Palm Springs and a great view of the city. Pretty steep climb uphill so definitely bring water.

Very steep ascent NOT suitable for children or those not in climbing condition. Well marked out with white spray paint dots. You can descend on the gentle south loop of the lyyken trial.

If you love steep climbs, desert views and scorching temperatures (like I do) this is a wonderful hike. HOWEVER - I cant express how important it is to take this trail seriously. I hike here all year long, and I cant tell you how many times Ive had to give my water supply to unprepared hikers suffering from extreme exposure (even in the first 2 miles). The trail to the picnic benches (1 mile) is difficult with no shade, and in the summertime it is too much for beginners. If you plan on hiking any portion of the skyline trail towards San J summit, you will very likely be completely alone (except for me - Ill be on the trail somewhere), and in the summer there is no water at all on the trail. You may think I can make it back down without much water - after all, its downhill. This is wrong and stupid. The summer temperatures in Palm Springs are hottest after 2 pm - you could easily be trying to get back in 110+ degrees.I often see tough guys hiking the first 2-4 miles of the skyline trail with no shirt and 16oz of water. These are the ones I usually have to rescue.Enjoy the desert beauty. The trail is fabulous. Just come prepared against the sun and heat, and dont overhike your ability - there is little room for error in an environment as hostile as this.

A fun little hike above the city. Challenging but not too difficult if you are just a novis. I like that there is lots of parking in the area. Go there early before sunrise.

Did an early morning hike with #1 son yesterday. Turned out to be a cool day for Sep so was really mild even after the sun came up.

Hiked the first four miles of the Skyline Trail in preparation for a future attempt at the full-on Cactus-to-Clouds hike. Left the Palm Springs Art Museum around 8am, hiked at a leisurely pace and hit the 4-mile mark 3 hours later. Thats about halfway to the Aerial Tram (the easy half!). Hiking bloggers talk about losing the trail when you start this trail in the dark and I see what they mean. Even in the daylight theres a little pausing and head-scratching to follow the white blazes and ocassional arrows. Not that youre gonna get lost - Palm Springs is never out of sight - but there are twists and turns and multiple paths at times. Oh...and its all UP.

Flat out awesome hike.

Too tiring...dont know if I wanna try this again. But the view is amazing when you hiked at night and the sunrise is beautiful!

Awesome hike super short and good times.

Nice and easy first time for me we started one o’clock am Sunday morning we got to San jacinto peak 11:30 am stays for 30 mints we got to the trams 2:30 pmThe all hike 21.9 mileI can’t wait to do it again soon

Challenging but totally worth it...

Ive done this hike probably more than 100 times by now and its a great workout that can take anywhere from 45min-2hrs, depending on how far you go. My mom does the hike nearly every day, starting from the art museum, past the tables at the top, and then all the way down the parallel side, where you reach Ramon road. It takes about 2hrs if youre steady strolling. It gets super hot, so BRING WATER. Do not hike without water! Also, bring a hat, sunglasses, shoes with some tread (I wear my Nikes and theyre okay, but sometimes Ill slip here and there where the rocks are sandy). Wear sunblock if you need it. Expect to sweat. Bring lunch if its your first time? Enjoying a snack at the tables is really nice.Depending on the time of year, youll come across a lot of interesting insects and desert wildlife. Youll also see beautiful flowers and plants and amazing views of the desert. If you go for sunrise, its really an incredible experience that feels super special.Parking: avoid using the museum lot for parking. Instead, use the parking garage directly across the street from the hiking trail, or park on the road alongside the golf course.

Great place to take a little hike for serious exercise and fun

It was a bit busy for us in Christmas. It would be great on a less crowded day.

Great training done it 13 times in the last 3months

Lived in Palm Springs for four months. Our first time to go on this trail all the way to the picnic tables. It was worth the additional 15 minutes or so. Took us about 2-hour round trip. Very peaceful, calming view of the city of Palm Springs. We highly recommend it. A little bit of a climb and rough terrain; very rocky lots of crevices.

Came here for a sunrise hike and was not disappointed! What a spectacular view! Free parking garage right across from the Museum, where the trailhead is. Didnt see a bathroom, but there might be one somewhere. Pretty good hike, somewhat challenging. Steep and easier going up than coming down, though our party of 5 (ages 11-42) had no problems.

There was to much sand

Good trail. Well marked. Excellent views over Palm Springs. Allow sufficient time. For more experienced hikers

I love it because its free

Great views. Trail is not for the faint of heart, but worth it.

Nice views can be had with just a few minutes hike. I was really out of shape, so I only went high enough to take photos of the area (100ft vertical maybe) The sign does recommend being careful how far you go.The locals say there have been some deaths in the past, and I can totally see why: no shade and no shelter, and it is a persistent 10% slope in a desert. Id say anyone can *start* the trail, but read the signs and be careful how far you go.

Incredible challenge and experience. Trail could use a bit of maintenance but does add to the character.

Can be mortally steep and dry. Take water and *salt*

What a hike! Challenging, fun and a great experience and view! Will train some more and do it again!

Somewhat strenuous for 50 somethings, but lots of places to stop off and catch your breath.

Pure Awesomeness

Great fun easy trail to hike. It was a little difficult to find but once we did we had a great time

Just completed this hike yesterday. Wow, what a butt kicker! Started at 3am. Got to Long Valley at 11:30am. Took a rather lengthy 2.5 hour break before heading up to the summit. That went from 2pm and got back to the tram at 8:30pm. Last tram left at 9:45pm so we were good. Was probably 42 degrees at the summit with a light wind so not too bad. Used the tram WiFi at the parking lot to call an Uber to take us back to our cars at the museum parking area. Since we went in early November the weather was on the cool side so I got by only carrying 2.5 liters of weather to save weight. Then filled up another 2.5 liters at the tram station. I wanted to carry as little weight on my back as possible for the Skyline section of the trail.

Perfect. Safe parking, right in town. Great view.

Enjoyed a nice and relatively easy hike..... Well marked with the ability to make it more challenging if wanted.

A challenging trail with steep elevation changes. If youre looking to push your limits, this is the trail to do. It can take 8 - 12 hours to the top. There are no water stations, so be prepared. To get back down, youll have to take the tram, so make sure to start early enough to take the last one down.

Super bloom on C2C trail!

Good work out, like the white dots

So you wanna do this hike? Leave early, bring plenty of water and if its between June and September - just say NO! Such an awesome feeling to go from the desert floor to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto - but long before the summit (about 8 miles in) you hit some steep, unrelenting climbing - just about the time the sun is really doing its thing. No water and you really cannot head back as this will just lower you into more heat. Be prepared to make it all the way to the Tram (at least) - 10 miles and 8,000 feet of climbing with no cover or water. Dont underestimate the effects of 90+ degree heat combined with strenuous climbing above 6,000 feet - if nothing else - keep moving!

A hard and challenging hike that starts at the museum in Palm Springs and goes to the top of San Jacinto Mountain. Most people use the Aerial Tram coming down, or even going up, and just hike the upper section.

Quick climb in elevation, narrow rocky Trial .

Great trail with subtly changing folage and great views of the desert valley. The start is easy to find on the north side of the museum parking lot. It starts going up immediately, which I like, and the tread and trail definition is good. There are many jumping off points to other trails in the area from this main trail.

Absolutely loved it, but make sure you come prepared.

Toghest day hike in southern California.. or may be anywhere? 10,600 feet of elevation gain over 21 miles. At least there is a tram ride to get down fast when ur done

A bit hard but worth it!

This hike is quite steep and will tire you out. We didnt have time to get very far but liked what we could do. Bring plenty of water and a hat, and of course, its best in the winter months.

Challenging, but doable. Be prepared and make sure you start early to avoid the heat.

Great trail. Steep. Take water. Have a parking plan.

Beautiful view of Palm Springs and surrounding desert cities. Moderately steep climb.

Great view at top?!

I love this trail. Is magical.

I hiked this trail with three friends, we started at 2am and finished before sunset, I was exhausted, but well worth it.

Nice day

Very nice trail

C2C2C - A buddy and me started at 2:30 am and finished at 7:30 pm. We did eat a pizza each at the eatery where the tram dumps people off. Took us 5.5 hours from the museum to the peak, and we took our time going down. Its a haul, glad this ones off the bucket list.

Hiking

Deadly

Steep hike up to the pull up bar.

Epic climb

Nice moderate hike

Serious challenge!!! Do not attempt if not prepared.

What a challenging trail

One of the greatest, and most difficult, trails in the USA

Great views.

Great hiking and views

Nice place

Super helpful

Please do this one first!

Tough dry hike

Steep hike

Solid Hike!

Nice

Strenuous and beautiful