Bump and Grind Trail, Mike Schuler Trail Head

Terrific, just a whole lot of others on trail. I ran to hop a long for a 10 mile loop. Awesome terrain.

This is an excellent hike for the whole family. We go around 5:30 a.m. before it gets too busy, gorgeous sunrise and it’s not too hot yet. We head off to the right, the left side is a super quick ascent but is too much for me and the little kids — once we hit the summit and start coming down the left side we jog the rest of the trail. Do be careful though, the trail is narrow and the rocks are unforgiving if you fall (my husband did about 3 weeks ago and his knee still hasn’t healed and his ankle is just beginning to feel better).
I read there are complaints about bathrooms and places to sit. It’s a trail not a park. The hike takes around an hour or so depending on your pace and who is with you. It’s really more of a work out, an alternative to the gym, more than it is about site seeing, like you would get in a park. There are no trash cans along the way either, and there is nothing more frustrating than seeing water bottles and such discarded on the way, please pack it out. There is a trash can at the beginning, which is also the end regardless of which side you go up.
There are lots of other trails that branch off, one will take you to the cross as well. That is another shorter, less difficult hike that offers a nice view of LaQuinta.
The later you go the busier it gets, parking is on the street and you can find yourself parking a good distance from the trail head. The first time we went was on a late Saturday morning, packed! The trail is narrow and you do have to stop at times to allow others to go by.
LOVE this hike, the whole family does.

Great hike with plenty of views (and a really good panoramic view at the very top), different difficulty options and it’s the perfect workout for me most days of the week. Depending on what time of day (or year) you go, it can get fairly crowded, so it’s not for people looking for a pure hike with little interference from other hikers. Well worth trying at least once, but it is not for the novice hiker. If you’re just starting out hiking and/​or getting in shape, start easier and work your way here.

As of very recently I have decided I am into hiking, and so I dragged my husband here with me on a recent visit to the desert to see family for the holidays. They sleep in much later than we do, so we slipped away one morning to check out the bump ‘n grind trail. I’m really glad we did! We kept seeing other people trekking around the hills while we were bumming around town. As others have mentioned, the trailhead is behind the shopping center with Total Wine. Lots of free street parking in the vicinity.
We climbed to the top and back down in about 1hr20mins. There are several offshoots and extensions of this trail, so we will have to explore further next time. The variation we did does not allow dogs, but it looked like dogs were allowed on one specific trail.

Bump and grind is a great hiking trail for families and serious hikers alike, with a good climb, great views and multiple branch trails. It’s about a 3.5−4 mile round trip hike. Park behind the shopping center, bring water and a camera for great views.

Great hike. Depending on what route you take and at what speed, will determine the intensity of the hike. The views at the top are great. You can see everything. Also, kid friendly is a plus. My 8 year old did the entire loop without fatigue. Downside: no dogs allowed.

I’ve been coming to this trail for years, but I just learned that there are two ways to go up – the steep way and the less steep way. The steep way starts at the same trailhead, but you just veer off to the left rather than following the trail sign. I’ve always thought that the less steep way was a pretty good workout, but the steep way is no joke. The only sucky thing is that it’s pretty quick. I go at a good clip, and I got to the top in about 20 minutes.

This trail is gorgeous. You get a good variety of terrain and there’s tons of good photo opportunities. I always recommend this one to people when they’re in the area. I think it’s a fairly easy trail, especially compared to others in the area.
The entrance is behind Target, lol.
BRING YOUR OWN WATER! This trail has no hydration stations. ALWAYS hydrate if you’re hiking, even if it isn’t a hot day! I always bring a light backpack with water just in case.
Enjoy it! This is a great trail.

I love this hike. It’s a great outdoor work out with pretty desert views.

I’m so excited and surprised the bump and grind can be reviewed on Unilocal!I’m from the Inland empire area and I can honestly say it’s definitely worth the 1 hour drive just to come hike this trail but I also come to see my family who introduced me to this trial, now when I come visit it’s a MUST on our morning agenda and this is how we get our day started! Very tense and steep hiking trail but such an AMAZING view when we make it to the top and a huge feeling of accomplishment. The view is beautiful, nice clear sky no pollution what so ever. The people are very nice some older and new generation and most of the over aged people put us youngins to SHAME but they also encourage us to keep going! I love this place!

This is a great trail. Took about an hour and a half at a moderate pace. Beautiful views.

I come here a good amount and was surprised to see that it could be reviewed! Any negative cons will forever be here since I highly doubt someone from the city would try and appease the complaints hahaha
Anyways this trail is located at the very end of Fred Waring Drive heading west, right behind Target! The parking can be tight if a lot of people are there, but it’s usually not. The start point up the trail goes in 2 separate ways… the left side will be steeper and more added to your workout, while the right side will give you a smooth transition up. Both paths meet at the top, so you can switch paths at the top or maintain the same one by turning around. There are a few trails on the main routes that take you different ways that you can explore, but not recommended at night since they will lead you to a dead end!
Bring your own hydration device because no water points. Be careful with mountain bikers as they’re known to on the trail at times. This trail is always open no matter what, but at your own risk during bad weather haha especially during the summer!
Overall 5 stars because it has everything you need to get a good workout in.

I bike UP this trail, and the foot traffic can be nerve-​wracking. Bump n’ Grind (BNG) was originally a military training trail, built by US Army soldiers, training for WW2. General George S. Patton commissioned it’s use as a desert warfare training ground, all through the 1940s. In the 1960s, the city of Rancho Mirage built a fire service road (Desert Drive) all the way to the first summit «keyhole.» Dedicated hikers finished the rest of the trail to the west summit, another 500 vertical feet higher. In 2007, the BLM built a gate, in an effort to protect the rare Peninsular Bighorn Sheep, citing they need to hump in peace, during the winter months. Today, many bypass this gate, as the Bighorn has found other more suitable lambing areas.
As a bike trail in itself — the steepness of the grade makes this one lung-​busting workout. It averages 13% grade, maxing-​out at 22% in some short pitches. Riding up this trail 3x a week — I was able to lose two pounds of body fat a week. Beware of the snotty, rich women hiking up this trail like they own it.

Was a bit concerned about some of the other reviews that said it would ‘kick your ass’, but glad we did it. It is actually is an intermediate trail with great views of the valley and the mountains. It was tight at the beginning, but then widen and did a gradual climb. Towards the top, it did get steeper, but if you take it at your pace, it is quite manageable for even a beginner. We were also told to go to the right for the ‘easier’ climb. Did not have the time to do the left, so can’t comment on the difference.
Definitely worth the visit and the climb. Bring water! No shade on this one.

This hike! Holy crap it will kick your ass but the views are worth it & so is the fact that after you’re done, you can say that you completed the hike!
You want to be super cautious about when you do this hike, as the desert weather can get wicked hot & there’s not much relief of shade. My friend & I have hiked this many times and it’s his preference to start on the south end and head up the super steep part as it was more difficult to come down this way for his knees & shins. After hiking UP the steep side, I see what he meant. Not gonna lie – no matter what at, some point it will kick your ass & try to take your name but stick with it!
You need water on this hike for sure. I recommend drinking some water to hydrate before the hike & then take one water bottle with you. You don’t want much else with you because the weight of a backpack may bring you down unless you’re super fit and used to hiking. It usually takes us about an hour on a decent, upbeat stroll… sometimes we stop because we need a break, usually take a break at the top for about 5 – 7 mins to enjoy the view.
In all honestly, if you’re not in fairly decent shape I wouldn’t hike this. I was in ok-​pretty decent shape and still found it difficult at times… like I was hiking in Mammoth or something… like the altitude was getting to me. Mostly I say use caution because it would be difficult for medical help to get to you if you go down… it’s steep, single track walking paths.
It’s a challenging hike but it’s pretty awesome. Can’t beat the view of the entire Coachella Valley from up top.
Enjoy!

I like the bump and grind and the trails near it first thing in the morning just prior to sunrise. Some days I walk and some days I run. I give it 5 starts because at that hour of the morning it reminds me how beautiful this desert is when I tend to forget.
Also as a young female I feel safe hiking it by myself as there are always friendly trail goers of all ages offering a good morning.

BnG is a great hike! Fantastic views. And a super workout. If you hike it, go early because it’s hot hot hot baby! Good hike to clear the brain out and get the legs going, never boring, Watch your step and bring water.

I really like this trail. It’s narrow at the beginning, then it gets wider. The level of difficulty is medium. The beginning is not bad, once you at half way, it gets a bit steeper and then if you go all the way to he top, it’s a tad steep. It’s a good workout.
When you get to an area with a fenced off area, go beyond that and finish off to the top. I thought the hike was over after I saw the fence, but then I saw people going even higher. It’s a beautiful scenery.

Great hike bout 1 and a half hours. Love the views from the top you can get a great view of porcupine creek which is now Larry Ellisons new retreat The terrain is med skill level do just be careful.

I was staying across the street so these trails were perfect for a Sunday am hike. Located directly behind the shopping center there is free street parking.
I suggest starting at the Bump and Grind trail due to it’s quite narrow and you’ll have to allow people coming down to pass before you can continue in certain areas. The trail loops into the Schuler trail at the top and will end right at the beginning of the of both trails.
The trails get busy on the weekends so I made it a point to begin before 7:00 am and it was already busy. I enjoyed the views of Coachella valley and would return again.