Coachella Valley opens the Kim Nicols Trail, the first new major hiking trail in 10 years.
After a four year effort to create the trail with over $150,000 in funding from the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy and help from volunteers with Friends of the Desert Mountains, the new Kim Nicol Trail is now open.
Kim spent 35 years in the Coachella Valley devoted to protecting the area’s endangered species and open spaces, she was passionate about opening access to people so they could learn more about the plants and animals that are unique to the desert. Kim ultimately became Fish and Game Regional Manager and passed away from cancer before she could see her dream come to fruition.
The Kim Nicol Trail is a 5.6-mile loop, located at the intersection of 20th Ave and Corkhill Rd in Desert Edge, just outside Desert Hot Springs. It’s mostly a gentle hike with a steep climb at the beginning with mild elevation gains as you go. A lot of the hike is in a sand dune so the most challenging part is that its hard walk in the sand, you get really tired easily. But the beauty is worth the hike, ringed by mountains on three sides and beautiful Vistas of the Valley in the distance.
More and more, the Coachella Valley has become the destination for nature enthusiasts; younger generations want to enjoy the beauty and nature of our valley and the new Kim Nicols Trail is the newest addition to all that the beauty the Coachella Valley has to offer.
