Lost Palms Oasis - 7.4 Miles Round-Trip

Over 100 California Fan Palms fed by an underground spring inhabit Lost Palms Canyon. The main underground spring's output has slowed significantly in recent years, but can still support the oasis and incumbent plant communities.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

A network of outlying springs supports Bighorn Sheep and a surprisingly rich plant community not otherwise possible in such harsh conditions. Summer months are especially good times to see wildlife, as all depend on these springs and vegetation for survival.

Of equal interest is the Cottonwood Spring area itself: at 3000' this is an ecological transition zone between the lower Colorado sub-district of the Sonoran Desert (east) and higher, wetter Mojave Desert (west). This particular area supports plants from both ecosystems, and astute hikers will see many examples of each en route to the oasis:

The trail drops through Cottonwood Spring Oasis accompanied by interpretive signs that discuss oasis ecology and the life of Cahuilla Indians who once inhabited the area. It quickly rises out into a warrren of canyons and arroyos. Though well marked, remain vigilant in this otherwise indistinguishable landscape.

Despite a desiccant environment, the desert is alive with yucca, creosote, jojoba, ocotillo, chuparosa and numerous species of cacti and cholla. Some washes support mesquite, willow, palo verde and smoketree.

You'll pass the Mastodon Peak and Nature Loop split (.7 miles : 3,160') and cross a wide, heavily vegetated wash at 1.4 miles - the only viable shade before reaching Lost Palms Oasis. At 2.45 miles the trail drops into a wash, enters a slot-like arroyo and exits left at 2.65 miles with a steep climb and hairpin turn to the left.

It quickly drops into and across another small wash, then climbs steeply to a rolling, ocotillo-lined ridge with panoramic views (2.85 miles). The Salton Sea can be seen to the SW on this stretch.

The trail drops sharply once more into a shallow canyon (3.2 miles), then climbs steeply out past the Lost Palms Canyon Day Use Boundary (3.5 miles : 3,277').

It levels off a few steps higher at the Lost Palms Oasis overlook; a sign marking it sits at the foot of a faint but intuitively followed path leading down to the oasis. Scan the far canyon wall to locate seldom-visited satellite groves before descending; capable scramblers can reach them, and pre-indentifying your route from this vantage is ideal.

Fan Palms, dense vegetation, large boulders and spring-fed pools line the deep and narrow canyon floor (3.7 miles : 3,113'). Natural obstacles make extensive exploration difficult, but it's easy enough to find space to enjoy this rare ecological occurrence.

The return route is not without its challenges, as you'll climb nearly 700' back to the trailhead.