{"product_id":"bear-creek-oasis-trail-la-quinta","title":"Bear Creek Oasis Trail","description":"\u003cp class=\"ht-lede\"\u003eBear Creek Oasis Trail is the long climb from La Quinta Cove to a secluded stand of California fan palms. The opening wash is gradual; the route then rises along rocky slopes and switchbacks before dropping into the oasis. Return on the same trail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdl class=\"ht-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eRound trip\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eAbout 9 miles\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eStrenuous\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eRoute\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOut and back\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eBest season\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCool months\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the route feels like\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart at Cove Oasis Trailhead at the top of La Quinta Cove. A smaller western parking area can shorten the lower approach, but use the trailhead name and the posted signs to orient yourself. Follow the Bear Creek Oasis route through a sandy wash. After roughly one to two miles, the sustained climb begins, with rocky footing, switchbacks and expanding views over La Quinta Cove and toward Mount San Jacinto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNear the upper portion, the trail crests and descends into a sheltered canyon with native fan palms. Reaching the oasis is only halfway: the return includes a climb back out of that canyon before the longer descent to the Cove. The Forest Service describes the trail as 4.5 miles one way with about 1,989 feet of elevation change; your round-trip track may differ with the parking area and mapping method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ht-note\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKnow the distinction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bear Creek Oasis Trail is a strenuous mountain route. It is not the paved Bear Creek Nature Trail along the neighborhood. Dogs are not permitted on the protected mountain route; designated lower Cove walking areas have different rules.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlan the hike\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownload an offline route before leaving; junctions in the lower wash can be confusing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarry plenty of water, sun protection, traction-ready shoes and a charged phone. Do not count on water at the oasis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck current trail status and the actual forecast. Avoid summer heat and the wash whenever thunderstorms are possible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet a turnaround time that leaves enough water and daylight for the return, even if you do not reach the palms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStay on the established trail and give Peninsular bighorn sheep space if you encounter them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStudy the Cove route map\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe shared map below compares Bear Creek Oasis with Boo Hoff and Cove-to-Lake. Trace the Bear Creek approach through the wash and its return on the same path before hiking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ht-map\"\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1gzaR64crzpXISUg2KCiGuYk98aZrGeRX\u0026amp;ehbc=2E312F\u0026amp;noprof=1\" title=\"Bear Creek Oasis and other La Quinta Cove hiking routes\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSee the trail\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese field photographs show the rocky mountain setting and the sandy lower approach. They do not depict the palm grove at the trail’s endpoint. Watch the route video for more context.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"ht-video\"\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zDrO1ymmXQ8\" title=\"Bear Creek Oasis hiking trail in La Quinta Cove\" loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompare the three Cove hikes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBear Creek Oasis is one of the three main routes in our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/nature\/la-quinta-cove-hiking-trails-guide\"\u003eLa Quinta Cove hiking guide\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/boo-hoff-trail-la-quinta\"\u003eBoo Hoff\u003c\/a\u003e makes a longer mountain loop, while Cove-to-Lake is the more approachable lower route. Choose by the time and effort you can safely commit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ht-faq\" id=\"ht-questions\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhere does Bear Creek Oasis Trail begin?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eBegin at Cove Oasis Trailhead at the top of La Quinta Cove. Follow the posted signs into the Bear Creek wash; a western parking area can shorten the lower approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow long is the hike to the oasis and back?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Forest Service lists 4.5 miles one way, so plan around 9 miles round trip. Your total can vary with the lot and exact route.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs this the paved Bear Creek Nature Trail?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. The Oasis Trail heads into the wash and climbs the Santa Rosa Mountains to a palm grove. The paved nature trail is a separate route near the neighborhood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eAre dogs allowed?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eDogs are prohibited on the protected mountain trail. Some designated lower walking areas near the Cove allow dogs; check the posted boundary before starting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan I turn around before the oasis?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The mountain views make a shorter out-and-back worthwhile. Set a turnaround time before hiking and preserve water and daylight for the return.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSources and further reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/r05\/sanbernardino\/recreation\/trails\/bear-creek-oasis-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eU.S. Forest Service — Bear Creek Oasis Trail\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.laquintaca.gov\/business\/community-resources\/parks-and-trails\/cove-oasis-trailhead\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eCity of La Quinta — Cove Oasis Trailhead\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/nature\/la-quinta-cove-hiking-trails-guide\"\u003eDesert Oasis Insider — La Quinta Cove Hiking Trails\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Desert Oasis Insider","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67595424497945,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0868\/6813\/2121\/files\/LaQuintaCove-Hiking-September15_2023-7_2_77b70a7f-6fef-409b-99c9-83129dc01fbb.jpg?v=1790665356","url":"https:\/\/desertoasisinsider.shop\/products\/bear-creek-oasis-trail-la-quinta","provider":"Desert Oasis Insider","version":"1.0","type":"link"}