Hike the Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon Loop

Mecca, California

5.0/5

based on 2 reviews

Save

View all 11 photos

All 11 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

4 miles

Elevation Gain

2215 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Kirby Roberts

Soft pastels cover the earth's surface where rock outcroppings and mudstone have been displaced hundreds of years ago by the San Andreas Fault. Pink, red, gray, brown and green colors wash the hills and canyon walls, creating a spectacular sight. This colorful canvas is Painted Canyon, a high-walled, narrow gorge tucked within the 41,300 acres of the Mecca Hills Recreation Area of California.

From Interstate 10, take State Highway 195 (Box Canyon Road) to Painted Canyon Road. This well-maintained, dirt road goes for about 4 miles and leads into the sandy wash which runs the length of the canyon for approximately 1.7 miles. There are a few narrow side canyons which can be explored on foot. Motor vehicles are not allowed past the wilderness boundary markers. Do not go if it is raining as it could cause flash floods in the area. Once on the trail you can turn around at any time. It is a unique, hidden trail that really shuts out its surrounding, engulfing you into nature.

If you are interested there are a number of Geocaches along the Ladder Canyon Hike. Visit the geochaching.com site for more details.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Photography

Hiking

Easy Parking

Groups

Scenic

Wildlife

Hike the Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon Loop Reviews

Anastacio M

Hike the Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon Loop

12/26/22

The hike in Canyon was amazing the cut out in the ground formation was out of this world. Remind me so much like Arizona the Grand Canyon

5.0

Scott Sichler

Hike the Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon Loop

12/17/17

These two canyons make for a fun hike. The ladders looked pretty safe when I went. I would recommend a hydration pack or small pack to carry water bottles as you will need both hands to climb. I posted a story with video - https://www.theoutbound.com/scott-sichler/ladder-and-painted-canyons

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Big Painted Canyon

Night Hike Painted Canyon

Take Box Canyon Rd to Painted Canyon Road. Painted Canyon Road is a dirt road, so exercise caution. The road dead ends at the Painted Canyon Trailhead parking lot.Once on the trail, look out for markers and arrow rock piles pointing to the slot canyons and other trails. Some climbing is necessary to access the tight areas of the canyons, but it's not too difficult. The slots are fun as they lea...

Hike Ladder Canyon in Mecca Hills

From Box Canyon Road turn on to Painted Canyon Road a dirt road that will lead you to the trailhead. From the trailhead start into the canyon. After a few hundred feet there will be rocks forming an arrow pointing you towards a ladder. Go up the ladder and follow the trail from here. There will be a few ladders on the way up. You will climb up to top of the canyon and get some great views. Foll...

Camp at the Salton Sea

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is a good place to camp. It has bathrooms with running water and showers. There are 3 options for camping RV camping with hookups is $30 per night. Tent camping at New Camp (on the map to the right) or Mecca Beach is $20 per night. One can also camp at a more primitive Corvina Beach for $10 per night. It is an excellent place for sunsets. Check out their web...

Explore Cottonwood Spring

Just east of the Cottonwood Visitor Center. This scenic spot provides access to cottonwood spring. The spring is a short walk down from the parking lot, and was formed from earthquakes! It was a popular spot for natives and settlers to gather water back in the day. As you approach the springs you are among towering palms, larger and wider than most. It's a worthwhile spot to stop and take in so...

Camp at Cottonwood Campground in Joshua Tree NP

The Cottonwood Campground is roughly 40 minutes south of the main attractions in Joshua Tree on Pinyon Canyon Rd and is located right next to the visitor center The biggest advantage of this site is that it is less popular than many of the other sites in Joshua Tree. It also has potable water and group sites unlike the other campgrounds.There are also a few beautiful hikes than you can do out o...

Hike the Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon Loop

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Hike the Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon Loop Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Big Painted Canyon

Night Hike Painted Canyon

Hike Ladder Canyon in Mecca Hills

Camp at the Salton Sea

Explore Cottonwood Spring

Camp at Cottonwood Campground in Joshua Tree NP

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps