Art Smith Trail - #ArtSmithTrail

Socal - Riverside County - Palm Desert NickNames: #ArtSmithTrail 'pansey killer'

THIS RIDE HAS to CAR SHUTTLE!! ---From the I-10 East exit Monterey Ave(74) and go south(right) and proceed up the mountain Hiway(74) until you reach the last Golfland developements and The Art Smith Trailhead on the Right, this is where u stage the 1st Auto. The get back on the Hiway(74) heading up the windy mountain pass for about 10miles. Turn Right at Pinyon Camp Grounds/PINON RD. and Park on right, in front of the Camp entrance....

11 Review(s)1 Photo(s)Login

• Trail UpdateNo Shuttle Needed?-The preferred route is to park at the trail head on 74. Then to ride up Art Smith to Picnick tables at Dunn Road. The truly soft can turn around here but I recommend crossing the road for a short climb on Hahn Buena Vista into screaming descent. At bottom bear right and work through myriad options back to Dunn road. Climb Dunn 2-4 miles of painfully steep dirt road back to tables. Drop Art Smith now. Don't do this in the summertime. It is hot but now is about perfect. Follow signs and use common sense and you will be fine.
  Darkstar a 38 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Intense Tracer from Oceanside

  Posted:12/30/2010

• Trail UpdateMini Epic Ride-Shuttle one vehicle at the Art Smith Trailhead, past Bighorn CC. Begin ride on top of Cathedral City cove, at Channel Drive. Endure the steep, 22% grade initial climb for the first 3/4 mile. It gets progressively easier, past mile 1.

  When Dunn Road crests, bear left and continue climbing and pass illegal roadmaker Mike Dunn's abandoned, 1964 Hancock Pan Scraper(ditched, circa 1975). When you see his second piece of equipment(IH Pullman Dozer) go past the ART SMITH 1977 sign and follow ALL signage...even through the sandy washes.

  Be prepared for 4-6 hours of riding, depending on ambient temps. Ride consists of about 15% hike-a-bike, through the steepest sections. The final 25% is pure downhill switchback heaven. Don't forget to enjoy the three Oasis, scattered along the ride. This ride is NOT known for it's wow factor, but for the scenery and Advanced fitness required to complete it.
  Zachariah a 46 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 2010 Giant Anthem X2 - SRAM XX/XO gruppo from Palm Desert, CA

  Posted:12/20/2010

• Trail UpdateMini Epic Ride-Shuttle one vehicle at the Art Smith Trailhead, past Bighorn CC. Begin ride on top of Cathedral City cove, at Channel Drive. Endure the steep, 22% grade initial climb for the first 3/4 mile. It gets progressively easier, past mile 1.

  When Dunn Road crests, bear left and continue climbing and pass illegal roadmaker Mike Dunn's abandoned, 1964 Hancock Pan Scraper(ditched, circa 1975). When you see his second piece of equipment(IH Pullman Dozer) go past the ART SMITH 1977 sign and follow ALL signage...even through the sandy washes.

  Be prepared for 4-6 hours of riding, depending on ambient temps. Ride consists of about 15% hike-a-bike, through the steepest sections. The final 25% is pure downhill switchback heaven. Don't forget to enjoy the three Oasis, scattered along the ride
  Zachariah a 46 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 2010 Giant Anthem X2 - SRAM XX/XO gruppo from Palm Desert, CA

  Posted:12/20/2010

• Trail UpdateDesert Fun-Went up Dunn Road to Art Smith Trail and some others. There is some good riding to be had during this time of the year. The weather was great. The trail is in good shape. The rocks are rocky, and the cacti are prickly. Better go before the end of the year and the months of closure so the sheep can mate in peace.
  jomomma a 35 year old Racer riding a Heckler from Yucaipa

  Posted:11/12/2007

• Trail UpdateArt Smith-This is one of the best kept secrets of So Cal. I live in Nor Cal and as the rest of my family golfs and lounges poolside I have discovered the Art Smith via Han Buena Vista, via Dunn Road. Durring my last trip in Feb, while LA was getting 10" of rain in two days the high desert was in epic conditions. I have hiked and ridden many places but I have never seen so many wild flowers in one place at a single time. Outrageous. At one moment on the Art Smith I was staring at a rainbow from the valley and over to Cathedral City, at the same time 20 coyotees were making their weird noises. Anyway, the trail is awesome. Some real good technical rock sections that look unmakeable, but traction is supurb. It is a good cross country ride, your pay off for feet climbed to down hill fun is not what you would like but the scenery and trail make up for it... Be in good shape, bring a sandwhich and at least 2 liters of water. No worries
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 18 miles Elevation change: 1500
  Singletrack=80% Dirt Road=20%
  wave dasher a Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Santa Cruz blur from Marin

  Posted:03/19/2005

• Trail UpdateUpdate The Trail Listed Please-Regarding the review about palm canyon/dunn road. not only does it have nothing to do with Art Smith, and doesnt belong here, but it never touches Dunn road.
  the Palm Canyon Trail is best accessed from Pinyon
  Campground trailhead, the other description starts
  at Ribbonwood and its confusing and thrashed.....

  Art Smith has been under heat from the Monument Act
  and Bighorn Institute to be partially closed, rerouted, permitted, and 'decommissioned' due to sensitive Bighorn habitat......
  well let me enlighten you.
  there has been NO proven study on Bighorn that has concluded that they are affected by human presence
  on trails. in fact, the species have multiplied to the point where they are almost off the 'endangered'
  list. At the present rate of increase, there may even be a 'hunting season' imposed after a few years.
  right about the time they close it to us. dont let it happen, write your congress.....
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 8 miles one way Elevation change: 2000
  Singletrack=100%
  pablo de la cruzin' a stone year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a complete pig that rides like a Cady from the evil lair

  Posted:01/03/2005

• Trail UpdateT-Giving Weekend-Rode/hiked up the Art Smith from the trailhead on 74. One of the most exhilarating rides I've ever done. Was getting ready to rain and the clouds over distant mountains, craggy rocks, and the chilly wind...let's just say I felt like I was in Lord of the Rings. It was medieval. Due to the epic-ness of the this trail and proximity to town, it's a must-do trail. If you don't do the loop from further down on the 74, be prepared to hike numerous sections. Actually gives a good idea, siting lines, for the incredible ride back down.
  Ride rating: Expert
  Ride distance: 12? Elevation change:
  Singletrack=100%
  mtb a 29 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a jekyll from OC

  Posted:12/19/2002

• Trail UpdatePalm Canyon/ Dunn Road Ride-I thought I would give the desert a try this weekend and it was no joke. From HWY 111 head up HWY 74 about 18 miles to Pine View Drive. Turn right and hit the trail 100 yards further. From here bust out the trail book that you bought and figure it out for yourself. This is what happened on Sunday...

  The first 3 miles are singletrack on a ridgeline so we had to hug the side. Only that meant hugging all the yucca thorn bushes that went along with it. We probably lost a pint of blood each. My legs look like beef jerky :(

  The next 4 miles are a mild descent through flood wash and imbedded rock. That equals the 7 flat tires in 2 hours we experienced :(

  The next 3 miles are uphill in extremely deep sand and in the armpit of the desert(about 105 degrees). It was here that our 240 ounces of water had been finally consumed :(

  The rest was mostly fireroad descents. The trail descriptions brag of the midpoint oasis to have your lunch...Not one tree to speak of! If you want shade sit under the tables :(

  When you see that the trail description says 28 miles of downhill riding... Do not have visions of Mammoth's lower rock creek. In this 28 miles you only lose 4000 feet of elevation. Most handicap ramps are steeper than that.

  In summary...it's hot, it's long, and there is no emergency water. Give it a try. Good luck to you.
  URL: Dusty Bottoms

  Posted:10/25/1999

• Trail UpdateThe e-mail address listed is wrong, please write:
  
  

  Posted:03/20/1999

• Trail UpdateThe Conclusion-Sorry people, the rest got cut off somehow...

  After the climb up 'Puke Hill' there is "T" intersection that you need to go Right, then its straight to the trailhead on some Blazing DH....
  When you arrive at the picnic tables and Port'o'potties
  take a break, cuz from the back of the rest area back down to the car is 8miles of singletrack Mayhem. Toward the end of the trail are some turn offs, stick to the main trail, when you see Golf Mecca bellow you, the trail gets Knarlo, but its almost over....

  IF YOU WOULD LIKE A GUIDE, E-MAIL ME AND I CAN FILL YOU IN, ENJOY!! TAKE CARE AND KEEP IT OUT OF THE SPOKES
  Singletrack=50% Dirt Road=50%
  Paul a 31 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a C-Dale Tank MonsterTruckin' SuperV from Pinyon Pines, CA.

  Posted:01/19/1999

• Trail UpdateDunn Rd. To Art Smith Trail-This is a Truly Epic Ride! If you have experienced Desert terrain and have excellent technical skills, this ride will test your abilities....For those that arent sure about what I further describe, I wouldn't try it, unless you have 99% courage, and are willing to walk out some sections...The Mileage is about a good 17, so bring lots'o'water and be like McGyver, prepared.....

  From The Camp Parking proceed down that same road, it will turn to dirt then end, from here go right onto dirt Palm Canyon Rd. Follow a gradual climb then down to a gate after 2miles or so, there is cutaway in the barbed wire where u can ride rite thru to the left. As an indicator of where you are, there is junkpiles of abondoned crap everywhere, this was Charles Dunn's palace before he died and the squatter tweeker trash took over....After a hair raising descent you will be passing Dunn's grove on the right, at the end of the grove, go Right and up 'puke hill'...

  Posted:01/11/1999