Holiday USA SW Road Trip in Apr 2022: Day 4 – Chuckwalla Trail

On the Chuckwalla Trail near Rancho Mirage
On the Chuckwalla Trail near Rancho Mirage

We drove out to City Hall and parked in the upper parking area, under a car port, which kept the car nice and cool whilst we were walking.  From there we had the choice of walking up the Big Horn trail or walking up the road a little way, crossing over and joining the Road Runner trail.  We went for the latter on the basis that it would lead us to the start of the Chuckwalla Trail.

By this time, it was a lovely temperature – perfect for t-shirt and shorts.  Much later and it would have been too hot.

On the way to the Chuckwalla Trail
On the way to the Chuckwalla Trail
On the way to the Chuckwalla Trail
On the way to the Chuckwalla Trail

The Road Runner trail was less than half a mile before we reached a point close to the Ritz Carlton (across the road) and a sign announcing the start of the Chuckwalla Trail.  We joined this trail and only saw 10 people on the entire trail (over an hour or so of walking).  It was supposedly just 2.1 miles, but felt much further than that.

Ear;y morning on the Chuckwalla Trail near Rancho Mirage
Ear;y morning on the Chuckwalla Trail near Rancho Mirage
Ear;y morning on the Chuckwalla Trail near Rancho Mirage
Ear;y morning on the Chuckwalla Trail near Rancho Mirage

The trail is never going to complete with grander locations like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone etc, but on the basis it is where it is, it’s a nice walk, well established trail path, good views and it is fairly well sign-posted.

A small development viewed from the Chuckwalla Trail
A small development viewed from the Chuckwalla Trail
A small development viewed from the Chuckwalla Trail
A small development viewed from the Chuckwalla Trail

We had to be careful on the slopes down due to Vick’s knee; more from a risk management perspective that she actually had a problem.  No need to create a problem where there isn’t one.  So carefully does it was the name of the game.

One of the few colourful plants viewed on the Chuckwalla Trail
One of the few colourful plants viewed on the Chuckwalla Trail
One of the few colourful plants viewed on the Chuckwalla Trail
One of the few colourful plants viewed on the Chuckwalla Trail

By the time we were back to the Ritz Carlton, we were good to head back to the car.  We walked down the road and then I crossed over and headed up to the thing at the top of the Big Horn trail, before meeting Vick back at the car.

From there, we pop in for some fuel, before stopping off at CVS and then back to the hotel.


Follow the whole story here: Holiday USA SW Road Trip in Apr 2022


Author Bio: About Nige

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Nige is one of the co-founders of The Billingham Blog and works as a freelance management consultant. He loves to fly in his spare time!

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