The Boo Hoff Loop Trail begins in La Quinta Cove and winds for 12.1 miles through Santa Rosa Mountain wilderness, where yellow and purple wildflowers, stunning rock features, and spindly ocotillo create a breathtaking backdrop. Begin at the Cove Oasis Trail, where you’ll find free parking at the corner of Avenida Bermudas and Calle Tecate, and follow signs straight ahead to the Boo Hoff Trail. The first half of the route hugs the steep mountainside and leads to the Boo Hoff Panorama, where many hikers stop for an Instagram-worthy moment — the views stretch from the Salton Sea to the San Jacinto Mountains and beyond. From here, the trail drops back down to the valley floor, where you’ll want to take the dirt road out to Jefferson Street and then return via the Cove to Lake Trail, which starts near Lake Cahuilla County Park. The 2,574-foot gain in elevation challenges experienced hikers and fitness fanatics alike, and with poorly marked pathways, little to no shade, and rocky terrain, hikers and horseback riders are advised to exercise extreme caution.
Total Distance: 12.1 miles Level: Difficult