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Panorama from Murray Hill
Cahuilla Peak and Murray Hill
Palm Springs, California
January 24, 2020
Distance: 12.5 km (7.8 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 671 m (2201 ft)
With a trailhead on the doorstep of Palm Springs, a mere five-minute drive from our hotel, Cahuilla Peak and Murray Hill are easily accessed. And easily hiked because of signposts and excellent trails. There are other approaches for Murray Hill, but we chose Carstin and Clara Burgess Trails. This way, we could knock off Cahuilla Peak, a subpeak, en route to Murray Hill.
After parking in a cul-de-sac, Dinah and I started up Carstin Trail. The trail quickly gains the ridge, providing a nice view of Palm Springs. In a short time, we were standing next to a huge pile of rocks, the summit cairn of Cahuilla Peak.
For Murray Hill, we had to backtrack a tiny bit and get back on Carstin Trail. The trail drops down but soon rises above Cahuilla. A small drop reaches a junction where Carstin Trail ends and Clara Burgess Trail begins. The trail mostly follows a ridgeline, curling around to reach the top of Murray. The summit rises to a point and looks more like a peak than a hill. But any pretense of being a peak disappeared when we saw picnic tables on top.
We encountered a few people along this trip, and the summit was no exception. A guy who mountain biked to the top told us he saw a rattlesnake here two weeks ago. But basking in the 25 C temperature, we probably appreciated Murray Hill more than anyone else that day. The previous week, our home in Calgary, Alberta, saw temperatures below -30 C!
Starting up the trail for Cahuilla Peak
A few minutes after starting out we came to a fork: Left for Earl Henderson Trail and right for Carstin Trail
After climbing a few switchbacks, the trail reaches the ridge crest. A false summit is ahead.
Behind us is Palm Springs
Black-throated sparrow
A side trail goes over the false summit, but we kept left
A biplane flew over the city
Cahuilla Peak ahead
Carstin Trail turns right here, but there's a trail to the top of Cahuilla
Cahuilla has one of the largest summit cairns we've seen
Panorama from Cahuilla Peak
Back on Carstin Trail, heading to Murray Hill (centre)
We saw several small lizards
Cahuilla Peak is now well behind us, on the right
Coming to a four-way junction. We kept straight, on Clara Burgess Trail
Snow-covered Mount San Gorgonio appears in the background (mouse over)
Murray Hill (far left) still appears far away
Barrel cactus
Another junction with Clara Burgess Trail ahead
Mount San Jancinto in the background
Murray Hill comes into close view
Switchbacks lead to the summit
Going up the switchbacks
Picnic tables on the summit
Standing on top of Murray Hill
Palm Springs and Cathedral City (7.8 mi, 2215 ft, 1673 ft)
