Most hikes in the Palm Springs area are up and down desert tracks in the foothills. But if you venture a little farther (7.5 miles total) and do the Murray Peak hike, you'll leave the big crowds behind and get a taste of the raw beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains. You'll climb up along a quiet canyon in the shadow of the San Jacintos, crest a ridge with views into the Santa Rosas, and then end at a panoramic viewpoint where you can see the Coachella Valley, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, and Joshua Tree. It's one of my favorite peaks and worth a visit.
The summit is officially called Murray Hill, but the unofficial moniker of Murry Peak is more appropriate on this pyramid-shaped dome.
Murray Peak Hike Parking
There are many ways to hike to Murray Peak, but I find that this routing is the best for most folks. Why? Because we're going to start at the Frank Bogert trailhead, which has a parking lot and usually doesn't get too full. And the climb up the Frank Bogert is quiet and shaded in the first half of the day, with great views across to the San Jacinto area. The other approaches work, but the parking can be tougher and the trails more confusing. Overall the Frank Bogert approach is much more user-friendly.
The Frank Bogert trailhead is not on all maps, but it is on Google Maps, and is a "real" trailhead with parking lot and signage.
There's a big sign at the entrance to the trailhead, which is at the end of a residential neighborhood.There's a decent-sized parking lot here. The ground is dirt and okay for low-clearance vehicles.There's a big trailhead sign where the hike starts.
There is no water or bathrooms at the trailhead.
Gear for the Hike
This is a desert hike in the backcountry and you should plan accordingly. I take 2L of water and sun protection. In the warmer months this hike  should only be done at sunrise or at night, it's totally exposed. Trekking poles help on the steep sandy slopes.
The hie starts on the Frank Bogert trail, which is relatively new (2009). Then it joins the Wildhorse and Clara Burgess trails. The trails are all easy enough to spot on the ground, and have sporadic signage.
Murray Hill is named after Dr. Welwood Murray, a bearded dude in a healthy mood. Photo Palm Springs Historical Society
Dr. Welwood Murray (1832-1914) left Scotland for California to improve his ailing health, eventually settling in Palm Springs. He was one of the first gringo settlers, and he built a hotel, library, garden that catered to people dealing with health issues. He's known as "The Patriarch of Palm Springs" and you'll see his name all over the place, including Murray Hill.
Frank Bogert, who the first trail is named after, was a 4-term Palm Springs mayor and cowboy who helped build the city up as a tourist destination in the 1930s and on. Today his legacy is being re-examined.
The area you will hike through endangered peninsular bighorn territory (read more about them in this guide).  Keep your eyes on the hillsides for them. They blend in very well here and can be tough to spot.
Murray Peak Hike Directions
Head up the trail from the sign and trail board.In the beginning the trail is a wide dirt track.There's a little turnoff to a viewpoint, keep right.After a short climb you'll have a nice downhill section.Where the trail is washed out, use the small detour up the wash to go around it and come back.Avoid the side trails and say on the wide trail.Until you get to this turnoff, where the Frank Bogert trail heads uphill. Down to the left is an access road to the water tanks.Here's your official welcome to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. From here you're going to start a steeper uphill section.The trail is steep but there are some switchback sections to help you ease the gradient.When you get to the top of the climb, the trail levels out and winds around to the left. We'll be climbing up the hill in front of you (which is not Murray Hill).When you get to the big intersection, make the hard right up the hill.Here's the trail after making that right. We'll be climbing up the Wildhorse Trail. And this is another steep section.The trail pretty steep and trekking poles help a ton here (both up and down).As you climb you'll also start to get the view northeast into the Coachella Valley.Soon you'll reach the summit, marked as "viewpoint" on my map. Enjoy the views and continue straight.After a short descent from the last viewpoint you'll be following the spine of the ridge. It's flat and easy to cruise on.This section along the spine is one of my favorites, with views to the right of the desert and mountains.At the end of that long flat stretch you'll reach the intersection of the Clara Burgess Trail. Make the left on the Clara Burgess.The trail winds uphill.You'll set some great views of the southern peaks in the Santa Rosa Mountains.And then Murray Hill will come into view once you crest a saddle.Head along the saddle and then look for the trail winding up Murray Peak.As you approach the top you'll see the picnic benches.Enjoy a nice rest at the benches. Does anyone know how these got up here? Helicopter? Horseback? If you know, let me know, I'm curious.Look to the left to climb up the rock pile to the summit.From the top you get incredible views.To the west you'll see Mt San Jacinto (covered in clouds here).And then to the north, Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley spread out in front of you.Once you're done at the summit, just turn around and go back the way you came up. That's the hike!
