Bump and Grind Trail

Great views – and an invigorating workout – await on the Bump and Grind Trail in the Palm Desert-Rancho Mirage area.

A 4-mile loop and spur, the route actually combines three trails – the Mike Schuler, the Hopalong Cassidy, and the Mirage. It’s located in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

To reach the trailhead, from Calif. Hwy. 111 in Palm Desert, turn west onto Fred Waring Drive. Go left/south onto Painters Path. The trailhead is in about 100 yards on the right/west. Park along the street. The trailhead is in Palm Desert, but most of the hike occurs in Rancho Mirage’s city limits.

At the trailhead, you can go one of two directions. Use the Mike Schuler Trail, which heads right/north and connects to the Bump and Grind. You’ll start gaining altitude quickly, as the trail is steep.