The Cross Hike (Palm Desert)
In This Guide |
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Total Distance (?) | 2.4 miles (3.9 km) |
Hike Time | 1-2 Hours (Total) |
Difficulty (?) | Moderate |
Total Ascent (?) | 770 feet (235m) |
Highest Elevation | 1,050 feet (320m) |
Fees & Permits | Free |
Dogs Allowed | Leashed |
Alerts & Closures (?) | Palm Desert Parks & Recreation |
Park Phone | 760-776-6481 |
Weather & Forecast | Latest Conditions |
Stay Safe | Copy this webpage link to the clipobard and share with a friend before you hike. Let them know when to expect you back. |
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The Cross Hike in Palm Desert is a great out-and-back hike for all levels. You’ll hike through classic desert hill terrain to reach the cross, standing 30 feet tall on the hilltop, a religious experience for some and a fun destination for all. Whatever you believe, the views from the top are great, and the workout is a good one. This hike is a local favorite for a quick hiking fix.
The Cross Hike Palm Desert Address
There’s plenty of free parking at the trailhead in Cap Homme and Ralph Adams Park. Use this address:
72500 Thrush Rd, Palm Desert, CA 92260


Gear for the Hike
You don’t need any special gear to do the Cross Hike, and fitness gear works well. Good footwear and trekking poles will help on the steep sections. The main thing here is the desert environment – bring at least 1L of water and avoid the day and year’s hotter times. There is no shade on the hike. There is no shade on the hike.
Palm Desert Cross Trail Maps
The nice thing about this hike is that you can see the cross for most of the way, making navigating straightforward. You’ll be starting on the Homestead Trail, and then heading onto the Hopalong Cassidy Trail. I’ll show you how to do it later, but for now, here are the trail maps.
Explore Map on CalTopoView a Printable PDF Hike MapDownload the Hike GPX File

Elevation Profile

3D Map

What Is The Cross in Palm Desert?
- College of the Desert students erected the original cross during the 1981 Christmas season.
- St Margaret’s Episcopal Church, which you may have passed on your way to the trailhead, maintains the cross, and sometimes has services there.
- In 1996 the current cross was erected, standing 30 feet high by 16 feet wide. Eagle Scouts laid underground wiring to light the cross.
- People leave stones with inscriptions at the base. Please don’t leave anything there, and if you really need to, make sure that the local endangered peninsular bighorn sheep can’t eat it. They will eat paper, plastic, basically anything that isn’t rock, and could potentially die.
The Cross Hike Directions
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Hopalong Cassidy was a fictional cowboy character that first came to life in 1904 through short stories, then on films, and then on a popular television show in the 1950s. The television character was played by William Boyd, who retired to Palm Desert. His widow and the city named the trail after him and his famous character.








This guide last updated on January 11, 2021. Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.