Was in town for Desert Air music festival and they offered a guided hike on the Oswit canyon trail as one of the dayitme "layovers." Our guides were Jannick and Dave who took us on the one mile loop hike while telling us facts and stories about the property. I haven't been to the gym or hiked as much as I'd like and found it to be doable with great views. We stopped a lot to learn about the flora and the fauna and about the non profit that saved this land from development. If you're looking for a good hike Lykken has the one mile loop as well as a north trail hike with ELEVATION! It's great if you're looking for a quick hike that will get your heart rate going or a long hike that will hit you with elevation early and get you closer to the sky. read more

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There's a south and north part of this trail and we did some of both. We found plenty of spaces to park our vehicle before we set out on the hike. It was hot and even with a late start around noon there were a lot of hikers around. Look around for those big horn sheep trail pets, we saw four of them on the trail and they weren't shy. read more

It's strenuous at times but well worth the trouble. I enjoyed it immensely when I was on the trail. Try to do it during the cooler months though! read more

I enjoy hiking and so this was one of our stops in Palm Springs. Park on the street and walk a short distance to the trailhead. Loved the group of bighorn sheep just milling about! The hike itself was good, there's elevation after the first flat part and the top is scenic. There were some picnic tables there that a group was using. Hikers on the trail were friendly and made way for us as we were ascending. Difficulty level was on the moderate-difficult side, though we took some breaks. There's no real shade relief, so keep in mind the sun will affect your experience. This is a good spot to come as it is a nice workout and there is no admission. read more

Lykken Trail - The sign at the top - Hiking Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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The Lykken Trails do NOT allow DOGS, by law, due to the protection of the Peninsular Big Horn Sheep - Repeat: NO DOGS on or off leash.

Breathtaking views and a guide who will show you the interesting stuff on the way up. It's unbelievable how close to civilization this nature walk is. We will be doing it again. read more

Great medium difficulty hike! Checked the box on a few different hikes in the area on the way to Joshua Tree. South Lykken was a great start to the day and free of charge! Very close to the neighboring Canyon trail with long lines of groups paying $15 a pop to hike. I would pack some quality hiking shoes as this trail zig zags up the mountain and there are some steep/jagged surfaces. Great views of Palm Springs and not too much traffic. Street parking for this hike and don't park at the reserved canyon parking or you'll get towed read more

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We just did 2miles up & back to the vista but it is definitely a workout. Lots of rocks and moderate climbing not strenuous in the sections I hiked. Perfect to get out and have exercise & fabulous views! Don't forget your water read more

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Nice, moderate to easy trail. Which ever way you decide to go it is covered in payed dirt trails, rocks, loud insects and desert plants with a back drop of the San Jacinto mountains. Its located near some housing areas and public parking is right at the beginning. Not really a picture worthy place, mostly just to get your work out on type of trail. read more

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MANY BIGHORN SHEEP ON TRAIL! Best bighorn sheep experience in 30 years living in Southern California. For the right driving directions, type South Lykken Trail in Google Maps and choose the Mesquite Avenue location; Apple and Yelp do not locate the trailhead correctly. We parked on Mesquite east of Belardo, about an hour before sunset on a cloudy day in late January. The trailhead is just outside the entrance to the Tahquitz Visitor Center; do not park in their parking because your vehicle may be locked in. After 30 min of moderate hiking, we saw a whole herd of bighorn sheep on and near the trail. Several sheep within 30 feet! Grazing on fresh green growth about a month after rain. A cautious mama sheep nursed a playful lamb and kept an eye on us. Take a camera with a long lens or a phone with a good zoom. Remember to take a flashlight if you might be there after sunset read more

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First time doing this trail and it was pretty nice. Unfortunately we started around 9 so it was starting to get hotter so I think that hindered how far we went. The trail can be steep or at least the path we took. It reminded us a little of Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon. But not as crazy just the way the trail is with some parts made into steps. Either way it looks like the trail can go pretty far and we didn't go too deep. There were other people we passed. Nothing crazy at all. Not any shade so sun screen. Of course water and I would say a back pack so some parts you can use your hands to get around. I would say start earlier or when it's cool. As far as we went , the trail itself didn't have much to look at and the view is nice looking out but compared to other trails with better views , I would say this one is more for locals who don't want to have to share the trail with many and just want to get a good exercise and hike in. read more

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My heart didn't explode! Seriously though, this hike quickly goes from a leisurely flat hike to hiking a narrow path that zigzags up a mountain. It was a good workout. Hats off the the people who were running up the mountain. More than half the people I passed (dozens, it was busy) were using hiking sticks. Hiking stick would have been nice on the way down. There were some steep spots. The path is well defined. There is no question where the path is. I decided to only hike as far as Simonetta Kennett Vista Point. This seems to be what most other hikers were doing. The trail does keep going. This trail is not a loop. The vista has breathtaking views. It is a great location to take in a full view of Palm Springs. There are two picnic tables at Simonetta Kennett Vista Point. Talk about lunch with a view. Everything looks so small from this vantage point. Trash is pack in, pack out. The view was just one reason I chose this trail. Another reason I chose this trail was the reports of wild big horn sheep. Unfortunately, the sheep were not out the day/time I hiked. There was evidence of the animals. I just missed them. Make sure to dress in layers. On a January afternoon, it quickly went from needing a light jacket to not. There is no shade. Regardless of time of year, bring plenty of water. Parking for this trailhead is on the street, along South Palm Canyon Dr. There is a map near the street with interesting information and rules. There are no entry fees for the trail. Keep the pups, bikes, and motorcycles at home. Signs indicate no dogs, bikes, or motorcycles allowed on the trail. read more

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want a quick hike while in Palm Springs? look no further, ... we were hoping to do other local hikes [ and although love love supporting local tribes and parks ] the prices that we found seem a bit steep... We found this trail which had was easy to get to from the street. actually really enjoyed our conversations with a couple of locals who had the logistics down of the trail... distance, elevation gains, points of interests, this was very helpful as I only look up that it was "free" but not necessarily the other details. As one local pointed out, "the picnic tables" would provide a good climb and a rewarding view once there. thats exactly what we did... not gonna lie, we were a bit winded, but glad we made it to the top! this trail does go all way to the "north" part of Palm springs so be aware and come prepare if you planning to hike the "whole thing" ! thank you again palm spring local residents for all the valuable info prior to our hike! read more

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Nice hike and beautiful desert views I've lived in Palm Springs for most of my life and I wouldn't be happy anywhere else! I'm blessed to live in such a beautiful area. read more

Love this trail, however there is a ranger on it that has been VERY rude and has harassed me. he's a tall, thin guy with a camera. LONG lens! if anyone has had any problem with him please message me on Facebook. I have tried to file a complaint with Oswit Land and Trust who hired him but they as of today have still blown me off to set up a time to talk to them! any ideas would be grateful. This employee has been very rude to others I know on trail also! thank you, Tracy Mitchell-Rosentreter read more

This trail is a nice workout with some great views. We came in late November, so we did not have any issues with heat. You can find parking down the street or at the visitor's center. I don't know if there is a charge for parking at the visitor's center, but that lot looked pretty full. The trail is rocky, so I recommend appropriate footwear. I wore my low boots, and I am happy I did. My wife only had running shoes. She complained about some sore feet from the rocks. The views are great! You can see the entire Palm Springs area. Once you get pretty high up, you can see a waterfall down in a valley. Take binoculars to take advantage of the views. We also saw some big horn sheep. They were only about 40 feet off the trail, so we were pretty close. Beautiful animals. They blend is very well with the plants and rocks, so keep a close eye out. People on the trail were nice. I did not see any litter. Pro tip - use the restroom before you start the hike. There are no facilities. read more

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We have hiked the Lykken trail twice now. My daughter loves it. It does have pretty views out over Palm Springs, and it's super convenient, starting or ending right at the Palm Springs Art museum. If you start about half an hour before sunrise, you can get some beautiful sunrise views, and it's cooler, too. But still bring plenty of water. It's a little strenuous for me -- mostly uphill then downhill, not much flat in between. Not sure I'll do it a third time, but it's worth checking it out. read more

Lykken Trail - Sunrise view from Lykken trail - Hiking Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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Really cool hike. They do not allow dogs but there is a cement walk way next to it that you can I'm sure walk your dogs. It goes through the desert just a little. But the reviews saying that they allow dogs are now wrong read more

Lykken Trail - No dogs allowed sign - Hiking Near Me - Palm Springs, California

I absolutely love this trail! Done properly, it can be really rewarding and enjoyable. Here are a list of do's and don'ts: Do: ~Park on the street next to Mac Magruder's abandoned Chevy dealership, then head up the road to the trailhead. ~Start in the morning - NOT an afternoon hike! ~Bring water. ~Sunscreen. ~Wear sun-protective clothing, hat and sunglasses. ~Pace yourself and smile at others on the trail...a greeting is nice too :) ~Try different variations - hike up to the first tables and continue on a few miles to the other tables, do a loop, do a speed hike/run up to the first tables, etc. ~Enjoy the view and take photos! Dont's: ~Don't avoid due to rattlesnake paranoia - be cautious, but this a very well-used trail - snakes generally don't like people tramping all over the place. Also, avoid in the evening when snakes may be roaming the hillside (they are most active in the evening.) ~Don't do the opposite of my above recommendations :) Here's a Strava link to a loop I did recently: https://app.strava.com/activities/281641276 I think I prefer hiking up, across to the tables at the Simonetta Kennett vista point, then back (the road sucks as the sidewalks are not continuous.) For a short hike, park next to Mac's place and hike up to the Josie Johnson Vista Park, it's 3.9 miles, 1,143 ft. and takes roughly 1.5 hours. The highlights for me included: ~You can get a great workout if you push it. ~The views of Palm Springs are excellent. ~You can see down into Tahquitz Canyon - including the waterfall. ~Cool desert terrain - rocks, cactus, lizards and beautiful flowers in the spring. 5 stars read more

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I love to walk but I don't like technical hikes with big rocks in my way. Bf and my daughter hiked to the top but I didn't chose to go that far. Thank God I took my water bottle because it got hot quickly. I didn't see any dogs which was a drag. The trail is nice but I'm not that excited about it. Have fun and bring water!! read more

December 2019 and it was fine having full Sun on the way up and then lots of shade as we cut across the mountain to take The path down. Map at trailhead says 4.4 mile to do the one way but believe our monitors had it more like 6. For in shape young adults this was not too challenging. For 50+ mom not in great shape I found it pretty difficult. I also would never call This my favorite PS hike because the view is almost always of the valley floor and all The development sprawl. We tuned out the noise but you can hear street and car noise. When we started the descent to the Mesquite Road point, that's where we saw a. Gorgeous bighorn sheep sunning itself on a rock and then another group eating on the mountainside. Took $8 Uber back to our car on S Palm Canyon Drive. Glad we tried it but will look for hikes that are more immersed in nature and away from developments. read more

This is a very well maintained trail for runners and hikers. Dog friendly too! When you reach the top of the canyon there are picnic tables to relax or eat at if you bring food & drinks. Limited shade so bring sunscreen and or hats etc If you start at the north entrance at Mesquite it's a nice hour and a half running trail. It stretches parallel to South Palm Canyon and you can continue your run. Traffic is light. You can always cut this run short by just starting the run at the golf coarse near the levee. Run up to the picnic tables and then back down. read more

Lykken Trail - Hiking Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We called the Tahquitz Canyon visitor center to get some information and spoke to literally the meanest lady I've ever come into contact with. In the most bitchtastic way possible she told us that there are no dog friendly hikes in all of Palm Springs. Hung up with her, went for a 5 minute drive from our hotel, and saw this trail with about 4 dogs at the start of it. "Hey, is this hike dog friendly?" "Sure is!," answered the friendly folks with pups. Tired my staffy out for about 45 minutes up the mountain till we reached an incredible viewing point. Took a couple pics and were back at our hotel before lunchtime...free of charge unlike Tahquitz Canyon where they charge you $12 per adult. In summary, Lykken Trail is great for pups and free. Oh, and Cruella de Vil from the Canyon's visitor center, if you're reading this you can eat the red Yelp bag full of dog poop that I left in the trash. :-) read more

Tahquitz Canyon or Bust While on vacation, I'm always looking for a good hike that introduces me to the local environment, and gives me a good workout at the same time. This trail met my requirements tenfold. It was an easy walk from the hotel we were staying at, making this an convenient choice. After a night of imbibing, I was eager to clear my head and burn off some empty calories. My girlfriend wanted to sleep in, so we got a later start than normal, and arrived at the trail head at 9am. I recommend a start time of 7am, or better yet catching sunrise. We started the loop from South Lykken trailhead located on W Mesquite Ave, which was clearly marked with a sign posting rules and a handy map. We ended the journey at North Lykken trailhead located off of S Palm Canyon Dr. We began the steady incline and gained elavation rather quickly. Along the way, we ran into hikers of all ages. They all seemed happy to be there, and greeted us with smiles and pleasant exchanges. I kept inquiring about the location of the picnic tables, which are about the halfway mark. Along the route we saw lizards running all over the place! They reminded me of the geckos in Hawaii. So cute ! When we came across the deep Tahquitz Canyon, we were awe struck. Breath taking , literally! The rock formations are really spectacular and ever changing as you move forward, and we spied strange cactus, some were in bloom, along with wild flowers that defied logic. So many photo opportunities... Finally making it to the picnic tables, we took a quick breather & ate a nutritional bar and drank some water. We met a lovely couple from Vancouver BC, and talked about other hikes in the area. The sun was getting bolder so we continued on... We came across a fork in the trail and my girlfriend thought it looked like an easy way down. We took the "short cut " to Desert Riders Park. This trail leads to a park/lookout spot and continues onto to a fire road above the Cahuilla HIlls, a private hillside neighborhood. Further down the road it ended at an impassable gate (one of many ) with signs warning you of private property. We had to turn around and hike all the way back up the mountain. Mommy ! This off trail adventure added extra time onto our hike, when we were already tired and it was getting warmer. This made the 8.8 mile turn into over 10 miles. It felt like we were in the episode of the Brady Bunch when they visited the the Grand Canyon. Tired, hungry, and LOST. "Bobby ! Cindy !" We wished that we'd put some hotdogs and beans in our flashlight, we were getting hungry as the hour approached noon. Where was little Jimmy when we needed him ? Needless to say, when we finally finished the trek, we took Uber to our lunch spot instead of walking the few miles. Even with our mishap, we will definitely do this lovely hike when we return. There is zero shade on this hike. Bring plenty of water, and snacks for an energy boost. Wear sunscreen and a hat read more

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Nice trail. Consistent incline. Zero shade, so hike in Winter or go super early. Bring plenty of water. Encountered several others on the trail, and everyone was friendly. Easy street parking. read more

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This trail is a great workout and I prefer an afternoon evening hike as the sun sets behind the mountain early and you can escape the blazing sun. The morning sun is very intense so if I'm going to do this hike early I get up while it's still dark. It takes about two hrs to go to the top and back if you are having a stroll. If you run it it approximately 1:15. Depending on the seasons you can see cactus flowers and various desert blooms in spring. You may even see a herd of bighorn sheep. read more

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This was a fairly easy hike just off one of the main streets in southern Palm Springs. The trail begins as a leisurely stroll in the flood plain of a range of hills. You could easily spend 30-40 minutes at the base and call it a day. Or, you could continue along the sides of the hills. The peak is quite attainable for most hikers. The scenery is not as beautiful as Indian Canyons but then there is no cost for this hike. I agree with some of the other reviewers that morning is the best time to do this hike in that there is little protection from the sun. read more

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I explored different sections of this trail from each of the different trailheads I saw marked on maps - and all are fairly similar so would recommend just starting at one of the places you can park on the street for free rather than pay a fee to even access the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center starting point - if you just want to hike. Some locals to prefer either the northern or southern trailheads but I didn't see or experience enough difference for it to matter. If you like walking up trails and/or getting a good view of what's down below, anywhere you start will work. read more

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Lykken Trail is a highly enjoyable, dog-friendly hiking trail that boasts some spectacular views both looking down onto Downtown Palm Springs and at the vistas directly to the west. For a veteran hiker, the terrain is fairly easy, but the experience of hiking here on a crisp, clear morning at sunrise is uniquely invigorating and enjoyable. This trail is somewhat shorter and easier than it's better known cousin, the "Bump n Grind" trail. At the summit (which is known as "Vista Point") you'll find two picnic tables; that's where I like to sit with a hot thermos of coffee and watch the sunrise. The beginning of this trail starts out with a fairly steep ascent, but it moderates quickly to a steady incline the rest of the way up. The time from the trailhead to the top is only about twenty or twenty-five minutes, depending on the pace you keep. At various times, I've seen owls, several snakes, and a herd of Big Horn Sheep as I've hiked this trail. The combination of the natural beauty of this venue, and the fact that it's not very crowded make Lykken Trail a regular stop for my pup and me when we're in the area. All the hikers I've run into out here (most locals, I suspect) are respectful of the trail and very friendly. Stop by and enjoy if you find yourself in the area, especially if your pooch loves to hike! read more

Definitely a hike worth taking. Prepare days, if not weeks, in advance if at possible. Wear appropriate attire, sunscreen, and water. A hat is a great idea too. There are multiple trails to chose from. Stay to the right for an easier path or take that right turn, up that gorgeous mountain side. Good luck and enjoy. read more

Lykken Trail - Hiking Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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Coming over from Phoenix I was happy to find this trail close to the hotel. Started off Mesquite. Madenthe error to go to the Canyon parking lot, was advised that I was at the wrong place. Parked on the street a few blocks away and hauled it up to the trailhead. Started at 8 am on a Friday. Passed only a couple people the whole time. Made it to the first set of picnic tables in about 30 minutes probably closer to 31. Went about 4.2 (not the whole 4.4 as I ran out of time) for 8.4 total. Maybe a little more if I count where I parked my Car. About 1600 feet of gain. Lovely trail. Will add photos. Id recommend but I imagine when crowded it wouldn't be so pleasant. I half jogged some of it where the trail would allow. I'd do it again without question. read more

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Came to palm springs with the husband and doggies for a little getaway. I wanted to go hiking with the pooch to tire her out, and to get some exercise. After reading several reviews about the plethora of hiking options, I decided to do the Lykken Trail despite all the warnings about rattlesnake sightings here. We went in January and I was hoping we wouldn't run into any rattlers. We were able to find the trail with great instructions on this website: http://www.hiking-in-ps.com/lykkensouth.php Here is the excerpt you will find most helpful: The north end of this trail starts at the end of Mesquite Road. You will have to park down by Palm Canyon and walk to the trailhead. There is a Tahquitz Canyon visitors at the end of the road, but you cannot park there if you are hiking the South Lykken Trail. As you walk up Mesquite you will pass a mobile home park on the left, and a big house on the right. Continue up the road, and the trailhead is right where the road turns right toward the Visitors Center. We started hiking around 2pm and boy, was it hot! I mean yes, I know it's Palm Springs, but it's the middle of winter! It was doable, but I would have preferred to start at 3pm so that more of the trail would be shady. The trail was pretty well maintained, but it is semi challenging. I'm not an avid hiker so I was definitely sweating and my legs were working. We kept hiking up until we hit a fork. We went right and took a picture next to a big rock formation. I think we could have kept going, but we decided that we had had enough. Round trip it was about 3 hours. It was a fun little hike and it definitely tired out our dog, Maggie. She was knocked out the rest of the night! Definitely recommend for people looking for a dog friendly hike. read more

I live near the S. Palm Canyon trailhead to the South Lykken trail so very familiar with it. It can be a moderate to a little difficult at places but offers some good views like many of the Palm Springs trails. Be aware this area now has a very high concentration of Rattlesnakes! These rattlesnakes are very difficult to see as they blend in perfectly with the ground coloration. I encountered 4 last spring and even received a dry strike by one I walked past not seeing it. My neighbor was not so lucky. He received a serious bite in early spring 2013 on the trail. Several days in Loma Linda hospital, over 20 vials of antivenom, months to fully recover and a $170,000. bill. (Antivenom is several thousand dollars per vial). Due to the steep increase in bites and encounters, in the summer of 2013 Animal Control began releasing large (5-6') aggresive Coachwhip snakes in the hillsides trying to decrease Rattlesnake population. I witnessed one of the releases of a batch of these snakes. Unfortunately there was no improvement. I and most others in the area no longer hike the South Lykken trail and now prefer North Lykken. Also of note to those who continue to hike South Lykken: Do not try to use the fire road above Cahuilla HIlls as a shortcut down. You will now meet up with an impassable gate where the fire road ends at private property and a private hillside neighborhood. As always, stick to the hiking trails provided by the city. read more

This trail is dog friendly, as opposed to the Tahquitz Canyon hike, which is right next door (it's hard not to confuse the two). Only street parking is available, on Mesquite Ave, right before you hit Belardo Rd. I would not recommend this trail to recreational hikers. It is over a 4 mile hike, and the sign at the bottom categorizes it as a "strenuous" hike, which I would agree with. I would also believe the warnings about rattlesnakes, although we didn't run into any while we were there in late November, when the weather was temperate. Long story short, my husband, dog and I hiked for about 20 minutes before feeling tired, and deciding to turn around and head back. So I don't know about any possible streams or waterfalls on the trail, but the view was nice. **Note: This review applies to the South entrance of the trail! read more

This was a great find. We hiked the entire way and it felt great. Dusty and dry but a beautiful day and hike.

Amazing trail! Well worth the difficulty in the beginning... if you hang in there, beautiful views will open up. Definitely don't go in the summer - you will perish! read more

Great hiking. My son and his friends max and cole hiked it and had the best time. Its a amazing view and great adventure for anyone with a few hours to enjoy the great outdoors. read more

Lykken Trail - Wolf rock. Lykken trail. Enjoying the view from wolf rock. - Hiking Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Best time of all is late March or early April when the desert is blooming. Be alert for bees and snakes of which we encountered both but no harm. read more

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Great little trail right near downtown! Parking was pretty easy on the street although the entrance was pretty hard to find (see photo I snapped of the cross streets of the entrance). It's a relatively moderate hike with some gorgeous views. Highly recommended if you're in town visiting like we were! read more

Lykken Trail - Entrance located on these cross streets - Hiking Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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South Lykken Trail is a 7.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Palm Springs, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This trail is free. read more