Ascend to incredible heights, or—if you have a wild side—push further. In true Wonderland fashion, a second leg of the trail climbs higher still, leaving you utterly breathless.
Directions: Go north on Big Morongo Road from HWY 62. Go 1 mile and take a right on N. Star Trail, go 0.8 miles until it dead ends onto Panorama Rd. Make a left onto Panorama. Go 100 yards and you will see the gate on the right (right before you get to private driveway which is straight ahead).
Note: This is a public right-of-way, appropriate parking.
Get combo for locked gate from Guest Services 888-922-5601. (Suggest you call or text 4 hours ahead of time and leave the time you plan to arrive at gate. Guest Services line is staffed 9am to 3pm) Open gate and walk through gate, following the well-marked path. The trail is ½ mile in and ½ mile out. The elevation change is 204 feet.
As shown on map, there is “Leg 1 Hike” of 0.3 distance and a “Leg 2 Hike” of 0.7 that continue further into the mountains.
Leg 1 Hike: The first half of the tail is relatively straight and flat. It then turns left and goes up the mountain as it meanders to the top of the mountain. Once at the top walk to the left of the water tank to see one of the most dramatic views in all the desert. Mountain ranges surround you in all directions:
1. The San Jacinto mountain peak is to the south.
2. The San Gorgonio Mountains, the highest mountain in Southern California are to the west, but are blocked from view by the mountains that loom over you.
3. All the mountains to the north are part of the vast Sand to Snow National Monument. Off to the east are the mountains of the west boundary of the Joshua Tree National Monument.
You are standing on 20 acres of private property and our guest to the Panorama Heights Wonderland, one of 5 Hideaways in Panorama Pass. Picnic, meditate, hike; we allow mountain biking on the trails already established on this property.
Leg 2 Hike: If you are a strong hiker and would like to take the next leg of this trail, retrace the top of this mountain walking to the west and continue to climb westerly up the ridge in front of you. As you begin climbing are leaving the private property of Panorama Pass and entering into the “Sand to Snow National Monument.” This is also designated as
“Wilderness” meaning nothing can be changed, this land is meant to remain natural for the millennials.
This ridge meanders like a rope ladder going higher and higher, one summit leading to another. It is suggested you continue for the next 0.7 miles to a very prominent summit and call it a day. The view is literally unforgettable. This is a classic 360 degree panorama and the one of the reasons for our name “Panorama Pass.”
If you enjoyed Panorama Heights, you might want to tour the other 4 Wonderlands of Panorama Pass which also include the two villages of Hidden Passage and the Chateaus that have wonderful places for you to stay.
Please:
1. Stay on the establish trails.
2. Take away what you bring in.
3. There are no bicycles or motorized vehicles allowed in the Sand to Snow National Monument.
4. Lock the gate on the way out!
Directions from the Chateaus: North off Hwy 62 on Rawson Road. Go 1 mile to end of Rawson. Turn left on Cheyenne for ¼ mile. Make right on Encelia Trail. Go 200 yards. Left on Panorama Drive. Take Panorama for .56 miles to roads end and gate on right. Park on Panorama Drive.