A Slot-Canyon hike in the Mecca Hills. Part of the Chuckwalla National Monument. This 5 mile loop through Ladder Canyon, a slot canyon cut by wind and water with varying levels accessed by ladders. Starting in Painted Canyon, weaving through a slot canyon labyrinth and finally topping out in the Mecca Hills.

Thanks to the restless San Andreas Fault, the geologic formations of Mecca Hills Wilderness are among the most unusual sites of their kind in the world.

Entire regions are exposed layers of eroded rock, some over 600 million years old, and are a source of valuable information to scientists about the effects of tremors on the earth’s crust.

The area is a badlands labyrinth, a natural maze of small, narrow, steep canyons.

Colorful Painted Canyon runs in a general north-south path through the middle of the Wilderness.

Sandy washes sprinkled with ironwood, smoke trees, and paloverde divide the area, while ocotillo squat on gentler slopes and the tops of mesas.

Bighorn sheep occasionally cross over from the Orocopia Mountains on the east, where they find more water.

You may see spotted bats, desert tortoises, and prairie falcons.

Join Us!

RSVP

DM me on WhatsApp for more info

Doggo’s Welcome
( however, there will be ladders to climb )

Where & When

– Sunday, April 6th.
Meeting about 10:00am

– Painted Canyon (near Coachella)

– Road to the trailhead requires a vehicle “Subaru or Better”
(4WD reccomended but not required)

-Carpooling recommended

– Free camping in Painted Canyon (BLM)

– Dogs welcome

– Family-friendly

– Trailhead address is roughly:
Painted Canyon Rd, Mecca, CA 92254

Join Us!

RSVP

DIFFICULTY:
Moderate (for the distance)

DISTANCE:
About 5 miles (rt)

TIME:
3.5 hr (rt)

T1D items in red

Pack:
– Small
(8L – 18L)
Nothing too big, we will be hiking in a slot canyon.

Water:
– 1 liter minimum
(2 will be plenty)
– A 20 oz bottle of Gatorade (full sugar) will help out a lot

Camera:
Any kind of camera will do (SLR, iPhone, Polaroid)

Footwear:
– Trail Runners (PERFECT)
– Road Running shoes (GREAT)
– Hiking Boots (MAYBE OVERKILL)
– I’ve seen people do this in Vans

Exposure Protection:
– Hat (cap will be fine)
– Sunglasses (for the approach)
– Poncho (in case it rains)
– You’ll be comfy in shorts

Trail Calories:
– Trail treats… Things that can fit in your pockets but won’t melt
– Light snack (like an apple or trail mmix)
– Energy Gels
– Starburst
– Glucose Tabs

Clothing:
– Sports shirt (moisture wicking)   … you might get sweaty
– Hiking pants (only if it’s going to be cold)
– Shorts (recommended all year round)
– Rain shell (only in winter)

Trekking Poles:
– Not a requirement,
(but maybe helpful on the sandy return)

Backup T1D items:
– Backup Glucose meter + strips
– CGM (optional)
– Backup insulin can be left in a cooler in the car.
– Pocket glucose (non-melting)

Nearby Places to Stay

( Yes! There's free camping in the canyon )

Here's a few nearby Hotels:

Join Us!

RSVP

Minimal Impact / LNT:
We will be traveling in an urban/green space ecosystem, so we will practice Minimal Impact Principles.
Whatever we pack in, we will be packing out.
Feel free to bring an extra ZipLoc bag for litter.
Leave rocks, trees, wildlife undisturbed.

Just in Case:
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit 
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Map
– Headlamps
– Emergency blanket
– Emergency glucose

For more info or questions: email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com

Instagram Facebook-f Linkedin Youtube Tiktok Envelope

Disclaimer

Diversity & Inclusion

Privacy Policy

© 2025 Type One Outdoors LLC

Trek Waiver

This release basically acknowledges that you understand risks involved with the activity you are signing up for.

Understanding that any outdoor activity comes with inherent risks of injury and even death in the most extreme cases.

You are also agreeing not to do things that may jeopardize the safety of the guide or other participants.

You are agreeing that you will not adversely interfere with the natural environments we will be using (other than normal use of the trails, equipment and infrastructure) This includes wildlife, sensitive ecosystems, manmade structures, maintained trails, markers, safety devices, safety structures, and personnel.

Since you are signing up to join us on this activity, you are doing so at your own will and you understand all the risks involved. (if you don’t, please ask. If you still don’t, Please don’t sign) You’re also agreeing to let your leader know if you have any medical condition that needs to be disclosed before we set out, and you agree to prepare yourself adequately before the activity and be as self sufficient as possible as not to be an adverse burden upon the rest to the party or strangers.

You’re agreeing to indemnify, and to hold Type One Outdoors and its guides, drivers, agents, associates, employees, owners, volunteers, leaders, affiliates, helpers, and participants harmless and promise not to sue.

We take lots of photos on these treks, and participants usually wind up in the pictures shared on Type One Outdoors social media, and web pages in efforts of promoting future and past activities, trips and events. Please indicate below if it’s ok with you, or not, that we can use pictures that include you.

If you agree with the above statements,
please put in your name and email address below, prove you’re not a robot, then hit “Agree”