Organizer

Diane Petrilla
Diane Petrilla
Phone
931-224-5149
Email
petrillad@gmail.com

Diane and her husband Eric moved to Palm Desert in the Spring of 2024 from east Tennessee. They are year-round residents and are loving being closer to grandchildren who live in the valley! Diane is an avid hiker and backpacker, having led multiple hikes for the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club for many years, and holding a number of leadership positions in that 100 year-old organization. She thru-hiked the John Muir Trail in 2022 and is excited about living closer to the magnificent Sierra Nevadas, as well as exploring all of the hiking opportunities California has to offer!

Location
Pinyon flats

Category

HIKE GROUP SAFETY

Date
Oct 25 2026
Time
8:30 AM
Labels
Moderate Hike

Cactus Spring Trail to Horsethief Creek

To hike the Cactus Spring Trail in Mountain Center (off of Pinon Flats Transfer Station Rd) we will descend in an easterly direction, towards Horsethief Creek at about 2.5 miles.  We’ll get to see an abandoned dolomite mine, an old cowboy horse corral made from manzanita, and see chaparral vegetation unique to this altitude. Hike 5 miles with 1250 ft elevation gain on the way back. Rated Moderate.  Meet at St. Margarets Episcopal Church, 47535 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA 92260 at 8am or at the trailhead at 8:30am. Trailhead is Here

Please contact Diane Petrilla to sign-up at petrillad@gmail.com or 931-224-5149 or RSVP below.

Altitude gain: 1250 ft
Cumulative altitude gain: 1250 ft
Distance: ~5 mi
Terrain: Desert, rocky
Pace: Medium

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

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