The light from the Palm Desert Cross shines brighly above the city, and thanks to the development of hiking trails, is a brief but slightly strenous hike from the valley floor. But the view from the trail is spectacular and well worth the effort! The quickest way to the cross is to take Thrush Road from Hwy 74 in So. Palm Desert west, across the flood control channel and then north 1/4 mile to the
parking areas. (Enter 72500 Thrush Road in your GPS.) You are now in Homme Park, which the City of Palm Desert calls a park but is really just open desert with a picnic table or two. The trailhead is clearly marked and just to the west of where you park your car. We don't recommend the hike in the heat of summer; you can get in trouble very quickly in the 100+ temperatures. But it's a great hike in the cool seasons....take bottled water with you whenever you go and wear cool, comfortable clothes. Don't forget your camera and cell phone and sunscreen is a must. The trail to the cross is called the Hopalong Cassidy Trail, named after a famous singing cowboy of the 1950s who had a home in Palm Desert. There is a palapa along the way with a drinking fountain and a water bowl for your dog too! Top off your water bottle there, just to make sure. Please post your pics taken at the top and along the way, and we'll rotate the photos at the top of the page! We'd love to see photos with unique lighting, night photos and other cool photos you come up with. This page was created and is maintained by Bill Clawson of Coldwell Banker Realty in Palm Desert. (The law says I now have to give you my California Real Estate License number). There, I've done it). Other than that I will never run an ad or push you to list or sell your house with me on this page. Have fun and be safe up there!
