Date: February 17, 2012
Time: 2 Hours
Length: 5.25 Miles
Location: Mecca Hills
Elevation: 1,332ft
Weather: 67-78°
Difficulty: Easy
Description: We started this hike at 9:20am and finished around 11:30am. I brought 60 ounces of water and 4 energy bars, I didn’t use much of my supplies ending with 40 ounces of water and 3 energy bars. However, if it would have been hotter, or if we would have stopped to take more pictures, I would have consumed more. Always make sure you bring more then you think you’ll need.
The weather was perfect once in the canyon’s shade, even breezy. The hike itself is easy, but the sand can be very soft at times, making it more difficult. If the ladders are not there, although it might be doable without them, I would wait and come back at a later date. There are plenty of other canyons to explore in this area.
To arrive at the trailhead traveling east on I-10 you will need to take Highway 86 going south to Avenue 62. Turn right going west on Avenue 62 then turn left at the next stop sign onto Highway 111. It is a bit tricky to get onto Avenue 66 so I would recommend looking on Google maps. There is a short left over a bridge, a short right, and then you will curve left heading east on Avenue 66, all the way down over the canal. You will then see the Painted Canyon Road sign. This is a dirt road that will take you to the trail head after 4.72 miles. I have the road and trail logged in the .kml file.
The trail is very popular and gets a great deal of foot traffic, so it is very easy to follow. This is what the entrance to the canyon looks like. While parking you might notice there are two openings in the area. You will want to enter the canyon heading north east, not north west.
After half a mile you will come to the big left turn heading into the Ladder Canyon.
The rock arrows tend to get washed away sometimes after a big storm, but people keep coming up with bigger and better arrows showing the way into the canyon over the rocks.
You will notice a small trail going over the rocks that will take you to your first ladder.
Most of the ladders are climbable, but be careful, they tend to get abused.
You can go two ways after the first ladder to get past the next set of rocks. I would go left, the ladder in the photo on the right will take you under the rocks. If you go to the left you will go over them, then down a different later.
This is the ladder that you will come down if you go left. I think this way is easier, especially if your wearing a backpack.
The canyon will start to narrow and turn to the left. This is where you will find the next ladder leading you up a 13 foot wall. Use caution with all the ladders they could move or slip, if you are hiking with friends I would let the most comfortable person hold the ladder and have them go up last.
The canyon will get narrow, but it is very easy to navigate.
You will start to make your way back up to the surface after the next ladder. This ladder was much shorter last year, so be sure to note the date of the hike, because the terrain can and will change over time.
As you make your way through the canyon, you might notice a few openings going left and right. You want to stay to the right until you see an arrow or signal to go left.
You can see above is another large rock arrow, I have also seen rocks blocking you from going right before.
The next two ladders are back to back and very easy.
This ladder did move a little, it didn’t seem to fit the opening well.
As you reach the top of the canyon you will come across a pile of rocks. Some people see this as the half way mark or just decide to turn around and go back here, but it is actually only 1.5 miles into the trail. Continue northwest up the trail as shown in this image.
The trail goes over the ridge and down into the crossing wash. You will notice some antenna’s in the distance up ahead. You will have full cell service once you come out of the Ladder Canyon.
Once you enter the wash you will begin the loop back heading south.
You are now in the Painted Canyon.
You will come to one more fork on this trail. Its a huge opening where a great deal of water comes through when it rains. Continue heading south and take a right here. There may also be an arrow.
It is very easy not to see the arrows and directional signs on this trail when looking at all the amazing sites.
The final two ladders on the way back are positioned on very large and slippery walls. Be very cautious when going down these last two.
You can see the sand that gathers on this rock surface making it slippery at times.
This loop will take you back to the rock entrance with the big arrows pointing north. Just continue south towards your car.
Don’t forget to look up you might miss some amazing views.
If you have any questions regarding this hike, or would like the GPS Track file, please contact me for more information.
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