Guide to Hiking the Bump-n-Grind Trail
The Bump & Grind trail in Palm Desert is my favorite ass-kicking desert hike. If you’re looking for a great workout in a short amount of time: this is your hike. However, if you don’t love steep inclines and/or have weak knees or ankles: this will undoubtedly NOT be your favorite hike! With its location smack-dab in the middle of the desert, you can reach this hike easily from either Palm Springs or La Quinta/Indio, & there’s plenty of room for parking along the street here. Get all my best tips & check out photos of the trail in this “Guide to Hiking the Bump-n-Grind!”
Hiking the Bump & Grind at sunset is a particularly beautiful time to go, & there are typically less people than in the mornings.
If the Bump & Grind sounds too challenging, check out this article which lists my top five favorite hikes in Palm Springs ~ most of which are easier than the B&G!
Map of Bump & Grind Trailhead
Bump N Grind Trail
Bump & Grind Trailhead
FAQ About the Bump & Grind
- Starting Point for Bump-n-Grind: The Bump and Grind Trailhead (should come up in Google). The trailhead is located directly next to the “Palm Desert R/C Raceway.”
- Where to Park for the Bump-n-Grind: Park right along Painter’s Path Street, which is located behind the Target Shopping Center, in Palm Desert. Take Fred Waring Drive all the way west until it dead-ends at the mountain; turn left onto Painter’s Path, & then join the many other cars parked on the street.
- Total Trail Distance: 3-4 miles (If you take the steep way UP & the long way down, it’s around 3 miles; if you take the long way up AND down, it’s more like 4 miles). At the trailhead, you have a choice: you can either go RIGHT or LEFT. Taking the path on the RIGHT is a longer, slightly gentler incline. The path on the left is VERY STEEP in the mid-section, then joins up with the other trail about 3/4 of the way up.
- Hike Type: Loop OR out-and-back, depending which route you take up
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Time: 1-3 hours, depending on fitness level
- Elevation Gain: 1,105 feet
- Pet-Friendly: NO
- Kid-Friendly: Not really, unless your kids like steep trails! Older, fit kids may enjoy.
- Good for Trail-Running/Marathon Training: YES
- Crowded: Moderate to busy
- All Seasons? Best from mid-October thru mid-June; be VERY careful hiking in the summer, as it’s simply too hot unless you’re hiking early in the morning.
If you take the path to the LEFT: you will need to traverse this VERY STEEP zig-zag section in the middle of the hike.
Guide to Hiking the Bump-n-Grind Trail
Keep your eye out for bighorn sheep along the trail: we’ve seen them many times while hiking here. The section that overlooks Porcupine Creek Golf Course (the course that no one ever plays) is where we’ve seen the most bighorn sheep; I think they like that particular hillside. Also, if you’re hiking Bump & Grind in April or May during super bloom season, or after heavy rains ~ you may find beautiful purple, pink, & yellow wildflowers along the trail.
Bump N Grind is my favorite trail in the desert ~ its steep ascent never gets easy & makes for a killer workout every time. I’ve done this trail more than 50 times!! (This shot was taken on the “steep” way up, which is a very narrow trail, & why I recommend coming down the “less steep” way.)
I love hiking with my puppy: but the Bump-n-Grind is NOT the trail to hike with your dog. Because of the bighorn sheep, the steep & narrow trail, & the fact that there are so many people on the trail: NO DOGS allowed here.
Hiking in spring (April & May especially) gives you the opportunity to see wildflowers along the trail. During the 2019 “Superbloom” when this photo was taken, they were incredibly spectacular!
More wildflowers in spring.
Some people say the Bump N Grind trail isn’t beautiful. I DISAGREE. This was shot about half-way down, looking over the private Porcupine Creek Golf Course. This is also a section where you may see bighorn sheep…
The trail is uneven in parts, especially at the top: you really need to watch your step here.
The “Chocolate Mountains” in the distance glow at sunset…
Tips for the Bump N Grind: For a fitness challenge, take the “STEEP” way up ~ but ALWAYS take the “less steep” way down!! Not only will it save your knees, but it will prevent any bad falls on the way down, as the path on the steep section is very narrow.
And dress in workout gear!!! I can’t tell you how many tourists I’ve seen stumbling along this trail in jeans: this is NOT the trail for that!! Wear workout clothes & sturdy trail running shoes.
Guide to Hiking the Bump-n-Grind Trail
After hiking the Bump-n-Grind, you may be ready for a nice refreshment: check out some of the best happy hour spots in the desert. Or if you’re interested in biking, check out some of the best bike trails by Palm Springs. As always, feel free to ask me any questions about the trail in the comments below…
Happy Hiking!
xoxo Noelia
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