The cache is an Ammo Box, about 1 mile south of the southern end of the town of LaQuinta. It is a fairly easy hike until the last 500 feet (horizontal) or so. At that point a no-trail, hill climb is required. Because it is steep and the ground can be loose at times, I would not recommend this cache for children, unless they stay at the base of the hill.
The desert town of LaQuinta, is about 10 miles south of Palm Springs, California. From I-10 take the Washington Street exit south past Hwy 111. Turn right (west) on Eisenhower, which will turn south again and go past the LaQuinta Resort (a great place to stop for refreshment in the coffee shop before or after your hike!) Continue south on Eisenhower all the way to the southern end of LaQuinta. Turn right on Avenida Bermudas, the right again on Calle Tecote. Go one block to [LQ01-Parking Area]. There are Coachella Valley Water District No Trespassing signs here and there, but they relate to the flood control items, not the trails.
There are several ways to get started. Generally, you will walk south from the parking area. The most fun and dramatic is to walk east down the street to [LQ02-Basin Trail] where a trail starts along the edge of one of the water runoff basins.
In any case, you will want to get to [LQ06-Scramble Trail 1] where another small trail scrambles up a hill [Picture 1]. The trail gets a little thin at the start as it scurries around a small hill, but will become a little more refined. Continue up the trail.
WGS-84 Coordinate List:
[LQ01-N33 38.915', W116 18.685'] Parking Area
[LQ02-N33 38.912', W116 18.545'] Basin Trail 1
[LQ03-N33 38.867', W116 18.546'] Basin Trail 2
[LQ04-N33 38.801', W116 18.507'] Basin Trail 3
[LQ05-N33 38.640', W116 18.531'] Water Tank
[LQ06-N33 38.467', W116 18.459'] Scramble Trail 1
[LQ07-N33 38.360', W116 18.286'] Scramble Trail 2
[LQ08-N33 38.325', W116 18.291'] Bighorn Sheep Sign
[LQ09-N33 38.335', W116 18.301'] Hill 1
[LQ10-N33 38.339', W116 18.315'] Hill 2
[LQ11-N33 38.344', W116 18.331'] Hill 3
[LQ12-N33 38.348', W116 18.350'] Cache Location
- An alternate way to leave
[LQ13-N33 38.319', W116 18.326'] Exit 1
[LQ14-N33 38.305', W116 18.368'] Exit 2
[LQ15-N33 38.295', W116 18.432'] Road
Turn right to head back to parking area.
Turn left to Salton Sea View July-December - 1/2 mile
[LQ16-N33 38.127', W116 18.278'] Horse Camp Sign
[LQ17-N33 38.027', W116 18.172'] Salton Sea and Quarry Golf Course View
Have Fun and enjoy the area.
sdompier