West Canyon Trail

The West Canyon trail is a moderately difficult climb, with some steep areas. After reaching the top of the saddle ridge, follow the gentle slope to a panoramic view of Big Morongo Canyon, where the stream slowly meanders down the canyon. A couple of steep switchbacks will lead you to the canyon floor and an easy walk up to the marsh. Along the way you will enjoy desert plants as they continue their recovery from the wildfire that ravaged the area in June 2005. Mojave yucca, Mormon tea, creosote bush, wild plum, honey mesquite, and desert almond are among the plants that continue their unending struggle to survive.

Springtime brings an abundance of wildflowers to the hillsides below the saddle. Broad carpets of yellow coreopsis and purple chia dazzle the eye. While on the ridge, a watchful and quiet hiker might catch a glimpse of a wily coyote or a shy bighorn sheep on the Canyon Trail below.

Length: .84 miles/1352 meters

Time: 35 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult

  • The start of the trail at its junction with the Mesquite Trail.
  • The gradual grade up the trail traverses an area that has been very slow to recover from the 2005 fire.
  • Continuing up the west side of the trail, this area was totally reconstructed by BMCP volunteers in late 2005 and early 2006.
  • The saddle at the crest of the trail.
  • A gradual down-slope heads east to the Canyon Trail.
  • A view of Big Morongo Canyon and the trail below.
  • The view back up the trail looking west.
  • Switchbacks at the east end of the trail; the Canyon Trail and the horse gate are shown in the distance.
  • View from the Canyon Trail of the switchbacks at the east end of the West Canyon Trail.