Painted Canyon

Definitely the best hike we've done in a while. Kudos to the local hiking organizations that maintain the ladders and anchor them to the rocks. A ton of different views in the canyon, through openings in the rocks, and panoramic views of the exposed desert.

Pro tips:
Get out there EARLY!! And when I say early I mean like 7am at the trailhead. It was sunrise when we got out there and definitely heating up when we left a couple hours later.
Look for the giant rock cairn arrow on the ground (on your left walking in). It'll point you the correct way to walk so you're not taking all the ladders down (which is a lot worse than climbing them).

Caution:
Some areas in the more exposed parts are not the clearest on where the trail is but there are rock piles to help guide you on where humans should be.
Sadly, some trash along the way. Let's keep it clean for everyone to enjoy!

Spectacular but challenging hike through the San Andreas Fault.
Others advise hiking clockwise after finding the giant arrow directing you to the bottom of "The Ladders", but I missed it and did the hike counter-clockwise. Along the way, I found the top of "The Rope", at which point I chickened out and climbed back up to the cross-over to the top of the slot canyon leading to the first of many ladders.
Wildflowers were abundant, the cliffs and canyons were impressive.
There's a vault toilet about a half-mile south of the trailhead. There is no water along the route (or at least you don't want there to be any - the slots are narrow and deep).

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase," Martin Luther King, Jr. ~I have faith you'll love this hike! :)

I hiked here in the beginning March and weather was perfect and sunny. I loved it. The dirt road to the trailhead is quite bumpy and sandy. Cars without 4X4, can make it to the trailhead, although be very aware of some thick, soft sections of deep sand on the road (you'll get stuck). Cellular reception is spotty and it'll be tough to call for a tow.

AllTrails estimates this trail as a 4.9 mile loop, with an elevation gain of about 900ft. My friends and I always clock in more miles due to walking around pictures :D There is another trail that starts off to the right, which has the ropes -I hear. I followed the map on AllTrails and hiked the ladders only. Climbed up & down about 6 different ladders. Man-made rock shaped arrows and cairns long the trail intended to lead you in the correct direction. Trail was super crowded on the weekend I ventured out here.

Bring your "ten essentials" (REI has a good list, if you're clueless to what I'm referring to). Prepare to get a lot of sun on this hike, even between slots, sun still seem to shine above my friends and I. Made for a perfect sunshiny day. Stay safe and healthy (mind, body and soul) Yelping out there :)

As I mentioned through the pictures make sure you follow the rock formations arrows that are planted on your path follow them and you should not get lost they two entrances to this park one where you park and the other one will be to the left and where you park

Such an awesome hike that is fun and challenging! Make sure to go early to avoid the heat and the crowds. We arrived by 9am and started our walk to the base of the mountain. You'll walk through some large columns of rocks until you see an arrow of rocks in the gravel pointing to your left. From there, you can start the hike. We made sure to follow these arrows throughout. You can also go in reverse but read that it can make the loop more difficult since you're going down the ladders which isn't as fun.

Once you start hiking up, you'll immediately come upon your first ladder pretty quickly. All of the ladders felt safe to me and were supported by rocks to keep them from falling. I would say you should be in moderate shape and there was one ladder that had a bit of a distance you needed to pull yourself up & over once you reached the top (see my pictures). I'm pretty short (5 feet) so I would be careful if you bring small children to do this.

The hike was very gorgeous! Tons of cool hallways of rocks that broke out to open spaces of more rocks. Once you get to the top of the mountain there were also amazing views! Our hike took us about 3 hours, but we stopped for photos along the way.

TIPS:
- The drive in to the canyon from the main road is about 15 mins and is all gravel/sand. The sign says that you should have 4 wheel drive and we saw a few cars get stuck in sand so be careful! We didn't have 4 wheel drive, but did have a small crossover and drove with care
- There aren't any restrooms at the entrance so be prepared to do what you need to do
- The hike can be long and is very hot depending on the time of year. Bring more water than you think you'll need

All in all it was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to doing it again some time!

This place was stunning! You're pretty much walking on the bottom of the canyon and it's ridiculous when you're standing there looking up. Unfortunately, we weren't able to complete the hike because it was getting dark. However, we will definitely be back!

The 5 mile dirt road was rough. Rougher than the dirt roads I drove a day before at Mojave Desert. Definitely recommend a high clearance vehicle but I did see a few low clearance vehicle at the parking lot.

Go early.
The road in is horrible
Don't leave anything in your car
Take water
Not easy
Super scenic
Enjoy

I called this is a magical canyon. There is sand road around ten mins drive to the parking area. 4x4 or SUV vehicle is recommended. They said to look a big arrow rock sign on the ground, you need to walk to the entrance. You will see a sign "robes" on left side, if you don't see it, you maybe on the wrong site. You can climb the robe to climbing up but I choose ladder the easy one. It's beautiful and worth it hike in three digits degree. You can enjoy gorgeous view once reach to the top. The canyon self is amazing. It's like a mini of antelope canyon. Enjoy it and please pick up your trash cuz we want to keep this place clean and natural as is. Thank you

Walk up the wide sandy wash surrounded by sheer crusted sandstone and rocky walls as colorful as a bowl of ice cream with scoops of chocolate, mocha, berries and cinnamon. So beautiful! Slight sandy grade for 2.5 miles. Climbed 2-10 foot ladders over steep sections with a seasonal steam.

Out of the wash and on top the ridge trail dips, drops and curves on a mountainous back bone with a few trails over hard decomposed granite. Nice hiking! The panoramic view is non-stop by breath-taking step by step. See Salton Sea in the distance. Mountains around! San Jacinto peak snow frosted. Green ocotillos! Views of the deep canyon wash below. Blue skies under full sun.

4.5 miles into the Ridge hike I came upon 2 girls. They asked "how do we get back to parking lot from here?" I looked at my AllTrails app and said follow the vein on the ridge where I am heading. The girl said that takes you into "Rope Canyon." She said "I am not doing that, but you can do it." I asked "why can I do it but you can't?" She said "I am scared!!!" The girls turned back.

I proceeded to Rope Canyon. With 1 mile to go, I reached the slot canyon with a sheer drop into a hole about 25 feet. Shaking in my shoes while peering down, I thought "can I do this?" What if I can not repel - slip, fall and break my leg??? If I turn back, it is another 4.5 miles back. The rope is bolted into a rock. Calming my self, I grabbed the rope and started to lower myself, bracing my legs and feet on the sandstone - ready to learn how to repel on the fly. Fortunately, there were good foot holds carved in the sandstone to place my feet on the way down. Not as hard as I thought. Still shaking, wondering what lies ahead in this super narrow slot.

There were 3 more rope drops, all pretty challenging and testing my fortitude, strength - and my grip. The slot was sheer straight walls which seemed like Portland Skyscrapers 20 to 30 stories high squeezing in on me. In places I had to remove my back pack and turn sideways to sccooooooch through! Supersize physiques will have a hard time in this made for "a skinny" slot!

A large boulder blocked my passage. What would Indiana Jones do now. Too big to climb over. I had to crawl on my hands and knees under the boulder.

When I made it out, I was relieved. I'm alive! I dusted my self off. Had a bigger hole in the elbow of my Patagonia shirt, which also had a blood stain on the elbow to overcome the narrow slot with deep drops - using all my adrenaline to overcome. Would I do it again??? No thanks! I will take the scenic route on top next time!

Jesus, directions here are rough.
Let me try to help with what I'd need, because trying to follow the ones here did NOT help me personally, and data went kaput here.


First things first, GPS to the ladder canyon trail.
Screenshot it.
Make sure your car has all wheel drive and enough suspension.
When you enter the canyon area (you turn left onto painted canyon) KEEP DRIVING THROUGH IT TO THE END.
THERE IS A TRAIL START MARKER AND A MARKED LOT.
No, it's not paid.

Enter at the sign. Walk forward.
The first very obvious left leads to the rope stuff.
Yes, there is a ladder you encounter, but it is not the ladder trail.
Be prepared to climb over boulders, turn sideways, and crawl under boulders, as well as face gym class with the ropes.

If you don't want to do the rope trail, literally just keep walking past the sign (it's at your back).
The canyon opens up into cars land.
You'll eventually see the little insignificant cave on your left.
Just past it is a pile of rocks (no surprise), and this is where there is also a large arrow made of rocks on the ground pointing up into the mountains.
Go there, greet the ladder trail.

This hiking spot requires patience, and perseverance.
If you give up easily, this is not for you.
Expect to spend hours here challenging your body and mind.
It's incredible, and probably best to go in at least a small group.
Empower each other, and buddy system this ish.

Wear closed toe shoes with traction, bring sunscreen, bring water, bring sugar for a pep in your step.
It's absolutely beautiful.
There is wildlife - bees, bats, beetles, flies, snakes, so be mindful of their home.