Organizer

Andrew Walls
Andrew Walls
Phone
530-264-6290
Email
atwalls@gmail.com

Andrew is a full time resident of Palm Desert who actually hikes during the summer! Andrew is an avid hiker and backpacker who can be found strolling on and off trails throughout the Coachella Valley, Joshua Tree NP and Grand Canyon NP. In addition to his participation in CVHC activities, Andrew is a Certified California Naturalist and a hike leader with Friends of the Desert Mountains. Prior to moving to the CV in 2017, Andrew was a team leader with the Nevada County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team in Northern California.

Location

La Quinta Cove
La Quinta Cove

Category

HIKE GROUP SAFETY

Date

Jan 21 2023
Expired!

Time

6:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Labels

Extremely Difficult Hike,
Pace of Hike: Fast

GUADALUPE TRAIL FROM LA QUINTA COVE TO PINYON PINES

One of the epic journeys in the desert, Guadalupe is a dawn-to-dusk hike this time of the year. There are no bail-outs on this remote, tough, one-way event. If you aren’t doing the 1/2 Tram hike because it’s too hard, this hike is not for you.

We allow eight hours to hike the 13.8 mile trail (1.7 mph). Starting from La Quinta Cove on the Boo Hoff trail, then taking the Guadalupe trail on a long, arduous climb to Cowboy camp.  After checking out the camp remains, the trail continues through 5 miles of wash until the end section, 3 miles of Horsethief Creek (aka Cactus Springs) trail. We finish in Pinyon Pines, off of Highway 74.

This hike requires a shuttle. We will leave one or more vehicles (depending on number of hikers) and then drive to LQC for the start. Please let me know if you can support the shuttle by leaving a vehicle at the Pinyon Pines parking area.

Essential gear for this trail:

  • Headlamp with plenty of power (spare batteries)
  • Hiking poles
  • Shoes/boots with good tread
  • Layers of clothing (it gets cooler as we go up!)
  • Long pants are recommended as much of the trail is overgrown. Lots of scratches!
  • Food (lunch, snacks, emergency dinner)
  • Water- 3 liters (it is 12 miles to the first water source)
  • Navigation gear (compass, topo map, GPS, etc.) Leader will handle most route finding

This is an epic hike. The challenges are intense and the scenery is delightful. The trail between Boo Hoff and Cactus Springs is eroded, overgrown. and tricky to navigate. Come prepared to work hard and have a memorable experience!

The plan is to set up the shuttle and be at the LQC parking lot (Eastern lot) to start walking by 07:30.

13.8 Miles with Elevation gain 4,500 ft (5400 cumulative) and 1,741 feet of downhill. Map available here: https://caltopo.com/m/73TJ5

PLEASE EMAIL US TO JOIN THIS HIKE.

HIKE LEADER: Andrew Walls

HIKE LOCATOR: La Quinta Cove

HIKE DIFFICULTY: Extremely Strenuous

Note: You must be a current CVHC member to hike with the club!   Join Now!