Cris Hazzard of HikingGuy.com took an in depth look at the Cactus to Clouds hiking trail in Palm Springs, California. It is a monster route, climbing over 10,000 feet to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto over around 21 miles, and according to Hazzard it could be ranked as the hardest day hike in the United States.
There are plenty of factors that make this hike so difficult. Distance and elevation gain are the most obvious, but the heat and deadly weather take it to the next level. Palm Springs sits at around 479 feet above sea level and tends to see temperatures in the low to mid-100s throughout July, August, and September. That’s where the trail starts before crawling up high into the mountains.
The first portion of the hike heads to the top of the Palm Springs Ariel Tramway, climbing around 8,000 feet in the first 10 miles. This portion alone has killed hikers in the past and the trail shouldn’t be done without serious preparation.
 The entire 21 miles trail has no water access points until reaching Long Valley and it winds through seriously rugged terrain. Hikers are encouraged to approach and attempt with extreme caution and only if they have a high amount of experience.
Check out HikingGuy’s full guide to the Cactus to Clouds Trail here.
