We've lived in the Coachella Valley all our lives, but did not know this “trail” existed until we were drawn here by a geocache. The original portion of the Bear Creek Ridge Trail has a trailhead that begins where the paved urban one ends. We're told that the first short leg to the oasis is a short “easy” hike through a sandy wash, and the remaining eight-mile hike is quite strenuous.
While there are caches along that trail, the Urban Trail caches are along a level trail with only the slightest elevation gain.
We tried to make the caches as varied and different as the surroundings would allow. Having physical limitations ourselves, we are well aware of the large number of adventurous sorts out there who will never be able to tackle a T4 again. Our goal was to use the striking scenery of the urban portion of this trail to provide a not-too-strenuous adventure for those sorts.
With bad knees and sciatica, we were able to hide the caches without undue stress, so we know they are accessible to the physically challenged. You can walk the roughly five-mile round trip if you wish. You can also drive up the cove, and park-as-you-go, as we did when planting some of the caches. The path that runs along the flood control channel is open from dawn to 10:00 pm, and the scenery is awesome. As always, keep an eye out for creepy crawlies when caching in the desert. Convenient, trail-side parking is available for every cache. Do pay attention to the bike lanes. Parking is allowed on the east side of the street only.
There are 13 caches in this series, with nary a nano among them. We spend a fair amount of time keeping all of our caches in tip-top shape, so please email us with any issues we should know about BEFORE you alter the cache in any way. We have hopes to add a couple more to the mix, but that could be a bit down the line.
In reverse order, from north to south, the caches are:
GC6581B – Bear In Mind
GC6581Q – Palo Verde Creek
GC7Z9TB – BABY BEAR
GC65815 – BEAR CONE
GC6581D – BEARLY A SPRINKLE
GC6C77C - Serpentine Creek
GC6C3DQ - FROG CREEK POND
GC6C3DX - BEAR-IED TREASURE
GC6C77P - Creek Crossing
GC6C3E7 - BEAR STINGER
GC6C3EC - ROCKY CREEK
GC6FDV6 - Bear Spring
The cache is several, easily navigated feet off the path. It blends in well, but seasoned cachers should be able to spot the hide with ease. PLEASE replace it exactly as you found it. Oh, FYI, there is no need to investigate prickly bushes.