Chutes and Ladders

Hiking Ladder Canyon Trail Through Painted Canyon in the Mecca Hills

Just when you think you can’t go any farther in Painted Canyon, you remember why this route is called the Ladder Canyon Trail. Whew! There it is: a perfectly placed ladder that gets you up and over the would-be dead-end and into the next thrilling phase of your canyon hike.

Ladder Canyon Trail is a well-trafficked 5.3-mile loop that takes you through the heart of the brown sandstone beauty of Painted Canyon in the Mecca Hills Wilderness. The trail is easy to follow, and if there’s any confusion, look for the rocks arranged into arrows that point you in the right direction. The first of these arrows is about a half-mile into the trail and points left. This will take you into the close quarters of the narrow slot canyon. After you traverse a series of the ladders—they range from five to 15 feet tall—the trail leads up to the hillcrests of the Mecca Wilderness, where you’ll feel the cool desert breeze and catch a clear view of SoCal’s twin giants, Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio.

Follow the arrows and head back down into the canyon to observe striations of pink and red quartz and brown sandstone folding over each other. The arrows will guide you back to the trailhead. The best time to do this hike is in the morning when the air is cool and the oblique sunlight brings out the colors that earn Painted Canyon its name.

Take the I-10 to Indio and merge onto CA-86 south. After about 10 miles, take the 62nd Ave. exit and turn left. Go right on Johnson, then left on 66th Ave., then left on Painted Canyon Rd. (a dirt road) and follow it to the end. The hike starts at the end of the road. Dogs are permitted but not recommended because of the ladders.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View