The Boy Scout backcountry board is located at a small pullout just past the Indian Cove entrance station -- you can fill up water here before beginning your hike. For the first 1.6 miles, the trail cuts west towards a narrow canyon. Look for tiny flowers popping up during the spring months as you traverse this alluvial fan.
Hiking up the alluvial fan to the mouth of Boy Scout Canyon
During periods of high rain, water surges down the canyons depositing unconsolidated sediments referred to as alluvium. As the flow of the current slows, larger pieces of sediment get deposited which forces the water to change course and fan out. This process continues as the water drops increasingly smaller pieces of rock and sand, resulting in a gradual and wide triangular-shaped slope -- an alluvial fan. From here, look north towards Highway 62 and observe how the alluvial fan spreads out.
At mile 1.6, enter a wash and work your way up a tight canyon. The trail begins a gradual ascent, crossing in and out of the wash once near the start.
Steep walls in Boy Scout Canyon
After 1.3 miles of wash hiking, the trail ducks out of the canyon to the south and begins a steady uphill climb. Pay attention to the cairns and rock markers as you cross a series of washes and ascend multiple small sets of switchbacks. Keep on the lookout for more tiny flowers through this section and notice the different varieties as you gain elevation.
Sweeping views from near the top of the switchback section
The climb eases off at the junction with Big Pine Trail at mile 4.1. Continue southeast up the canyon for another 1.2 miles.
The signed junction with Big Pine Trail is a nice shady spot to take a break
Now you’ve entered the land of joshua trees. The canyon opens up to a broad valley and the flora shifts in favor of those that prefer these higher elevations. A large rock pile at mile 5.3 is a great place to carefully scramble up for an expansive view and the western threshold of the Wonderland of Rocks.
On the final miles the trail crosses a flat valley filled with joshua trees
Pass the junction for Willow Hole Trail at mile 6.7. This is a great spur trail if you’re hiking one way and want to extend your experience. From here to the Keys West backcountry board the trail is flat, straight, and easy.
After 7.9 miles, you’ll reach a parking lot on the north side of Park Boulevard. Relax in the shade of the nearby boulders before turning around to retracing your steps back to the Boy Scout backcountry board.
