Hike the Boo Hoff Trail Loop

The Boo Hoff Trail, which follows a native path into the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, is filled with desert beauty and panoramic views. This loop is a challenging route that offers a solid climb, a descent into Devil Canyon and around Lake Cahuilla, and a hike back on the Cove to Lake Trail. Overall the Boo Hoff loop is a challenging hike that offers a little of everything.

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is the Boo Hoff Trail?

There's a massive and well-developed trailhead for this hike at the Cove to Lake Trailhead. The Cove to Lake Trail is the one we'll be using to return on the loop (FYI). Here's the trailhead address:
Cove to Lake Trailhead, Calle Tecate, La Quinta, CA 92253

Gear For the Hike

This is a rough backcountry hike and you should prepare accordingly. Trekking poles and good hiking footwear are handy on the slopes. If you have low gaiters they can be helpful hiking through the loose rock and sand. I bring 3L of water but usually use around 2L unless it's very hot. And when it's very hot, as with most hikes in the desert, the hike can be deadly. It's best done in the cooler months.

My Latest Gear Picks

As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

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Boo Hoff Trail Maps

Explore Map on CalTopoView a Printable PDF Hike MapDownload the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Elevation Profile

3D Map

Who is Boo Hoff?

• Boo Hoff was a member and president of the famous Desert Riders Club, an equestrian group founded in 1930. In Palm Spring's heyday the Desert Riders became "a place to be" in social circles, and included the old movie stars like Clark Gable, Henry Fonda and Cary Grant.
• The Desert Riders are responsible for most of the current trail network in the Palm Springs area. Their trail work fortified many of the native paths in the area, and today many of the trails are named after prominent Desert Riders (including the Boo Hoff Trail). I have guides to many more of these trails in the Palm Springs area if you want to explore others.
• Why "Boo?" He was born as Mered Arthur Hoff in the Philadelphia suburb of Lansdale in 1911, and when he was a kid, there was a famous Philly gangster (and Al Capone buddy) named Boo-Boo Hoff. His buddies nicknamed him "Boo" after the gangster and it stuck when he moved to the Palm Springs area in the 1950s.
• The Boo Hoff Trail was originally a native path called the Old Guadalupe Trail. Boo was known for protecting and rebuilding historic native paths, and in 1979 the trail was renamed after him. At the dedication he was lauded as the man whose "mission is to introduce the beauty and mystery of the Old Guadalupe Trail to those prepared for the challenge."

Boo Hoof Loop Hike Directions

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When you return, you'll come back on the Cove to Lake trail from the left.

Why do the trail counters have American flags on them? Land managers have found that when a trail sign has an American flag on it, it doesn't get vandalized or stolen.

Golf Digest has rated the golf course here as one of “America’s 100 Greatest” every year since the list started in 1994. The course is limited to only 250 members at a time. The course was built on top of the old quarry known as "Keller Pit."

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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