Murray Peak Hike (Palm Springs)

7.5 miles - Moderate Effort
3-4 Hours (Total)
2,000 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 2,202 feet
No Dogs Allowed

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.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to Murray Peak (aka Murray Hill)
Parking For the Murray Peak Hike
Insider Tips and Recommendations

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

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.

Use this trailhead address:
Frank Bogert Trailhead, Andreas Hills Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264

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.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 1 — There's a big sign at the entrance to the trailhead, which is at the end of a residential neighborhood.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 2 — There's a decent-sized parking lot here. The ground is dirt and okay for low-clearance vehicles.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 3 — 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.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Murray Peak Trail Maps

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.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Hike Brief

Welwod Murray 2 — 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.
If you poke around at other guides, you may see other elevations for Murray Hill. The official USGS datasheet says 2169 feet, other maps say 2200, and some have it between 2200-2220 feet. Whatever it is, the prominence is great and you have nice 360 views from the summit.
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

Murray Peak Hike Directions 6 — There's a little turnoff to a viewpoint, keep right.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 7 — After a short climb you'll have a nice downhill section.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 8 — Where the trail is washed out, use the small detour up the wash to go around it and come back.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 9 — Avoid the side trails and say on the wide trail.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 10 — 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.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 11 — 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.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 12 — The trail is steep but there are some switchback sections to help you ease the gradient.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 13 — 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).

Murray Peak Hike Directions 14 — When you get to the big intersection, make the hard right up the hill.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 15 — Here's the trail after making that right. We'll be climbing up the Wildhorse Trail. And this is another steep section.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 16 — The trail pretty steep and trekking poles help a ton here (both up and down).

Murray Peak Hike Directions 17 — As you climb you'll also start to get the view northeast into the Coachella Valley.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 19 — Soon you'll reach the summit, marked as "viewpoint" on my map. Enjoy the views and continue straight.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 20 — 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.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 21 — This section along the spine is one of my favorites, with views to the right of the desert and mountains.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 22 — 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.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 23 — The trail winds uphill.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 24 — You'll set some great views of the southern peaks in the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 25 — And then Murray Hill will come into view once you crest a saddle.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 26 — Head along the saddle and then look for the trail winding up Murray Peak.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 27 — As you approach the top you'll see the picnic benches.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 28 — 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.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 29 — Look to the left to climb up the rock pile to the summit.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 30 — From the top you get incredible views.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 31 — To the west you'll see Mt San Jacinto (covered in clouds here).

Murray Peak Hike Directions 32 — And then to the north, Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley spread out in front of you.

Murray Peak Hike Directions 33 — Once you're done at the summit, just turn around and go back the way you came up. That's the hike!

Need More Info?

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

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.