Maintained by the Wildlands Conservancy as part of the Mission Creek Preserve, it’s an easy stop at the end of a well-graded dirt road—and a place where history lingers, just a little out in the open.
roamlab.com/mission-cree...
What stands today—the stone cabins, an empty pool, and a lone chimney—is all that remains after a 1960 fire swept through and reduced the rest to ash.
Now, instead of hosting vacationers, the land has found a quieter purpose.
With #PalmSprings just 14 miles away and the San Bernardino Mountains rising all around, it didn’t take long for someone to see the bigger opportunity. In 1928, it was reborn as a dude ranch: offering guests “horseback riding, hiking, tennis, dancing" or the chance to be “just plain lazy.”
Man looking out a stone cabin
Looking inside a stone cabin at a picnic table
Empty blue pool
Looking out a cabin
Peek-a-boo!
These roofless stone huts might look like the perfect spot for a picnic or a game of hide-and-seek, but they weren’t built for weekend #wandering. They’re the remnants of a once-thriving #desert retreat.
The T Cross K Ranch started as a working cattle operation in 1912.
#history
That's how we find ourselves, reclining poolside, enjoying the sunset over the San Jacinto Mountains, while our laundry tumbles dry.
Yes, washed bodies and washed clothes.
The height of luxury!
roamlab.com/mission-cree...
Palm trees in front of mountains at sunset
The best part about running around the Coachella Valley is all the hot springs available for some post-adventure soaking.
While we were perusing our options, we realized it would be about the same price to just stay at an RV park with hot springs.
#sunset #outdoors #roadtrip
100% - leave only footprints*
*and even those should be limited to the trail.
Preparation is about making sure your adventure ends with great stories instead of bleak headlines.
What are your rules for the trail?
9. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹
Cutting switchbacks or wandering off route damages fragile ecosystems and increases your chance of getting lost.
10. 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀
A small first-aid kit, headlamp, and a whistle weigh almost nothing but can make a big difference if things go sideways.
7. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱
Morning starts avoid the worst heat and give you plenty of daylight if the hike takes longer than planned.
8. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀
Turn around if something feels wrong—fatigue, weather, time of day, or terrain. The trail will still be there another day.
5. 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lightweight layers can make a huge difference. Conditions change quickly in exposed terrain.
6. 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Cell service is unreliable in many trail areas. Download maps ahead of time or carry a physical map.
3. 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱
Wrong turns, slower miles, or unexpected detours happen to everyone. Extra fuel and hydration can keep a minor inconvenience from becoming a problem.
4. 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿
Closed-toe shoes with good tread will protect your feet on up.
1. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼
Temperatures, storms, and wind can change quickly. Hot days mean higher water needs, and storms can turn trails dangerous fast.
2. 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻
Let a friend or family member know where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
Woman in running gear on a desert trail
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 101
Most trail incidents aren’t dramatic survival stories. They’re small mistakes stacking up.
A little preparation can make the difference between a great adventure and a rescue call.
Before you head out, keep these in mind:
#hiking #trailrunning #outdoors
It was a delightful surprise. I shot this from the passenger seat. It was just right there!
Always! 🫶
Man walking around a vintage truck camper in the desert
Somedays, one thousand words just aren’t enough to capture the moment.
It’s quiet.
It’s meditative.
It’s perfect.
And there’s no place I’d rather be.
#camping #sunset #camper #roadtrip
Some days, I just need to burn something.
I just hadn’t intended that it would be my hair…. #camping
So, here we are, lacing up for a longish run, comforted in the knowledge that there is a shower at the end of it all.
2/2
Man lacing up running shoes in a truck camper parked in the desert
Running has us relying a lot more on developed campgrounds than in the past. We don’t have to shower every day. But, trust me, everyone would know if we didn’t. And while we do have a water tank, I have yet to build out a proper shower.
1/3 #trailrunning #hiking #camping
Woman standing on a desert hiking trail
It's shorts season on Picacho Peak: so warm out that I started wondering if it might be too hot to run. Yes, I've run races in the heat, but I just wasn't planning for these temperatures in February.
#hiking #outdoors #desert #adventure #trailrunning
Truck camper parked at an Arizona rest stop
Some days, we spend hours on dirt roads for a view.
Other days, we just need a bathroom break.
Nice! We keep debating our shower build. It’s been years now. I may just put one in to have it done. 😅
Hot air balloon over the Sedona desert
Views from the road
#hotairballoon #hotair #balloon #roadtrip #roadtrippin #roadtripping #lifeontheroad #sedona #sedonaarizona
Thank you!
We can't control everything, but we can at least try not to be these people and, instead, advocate for our public lands.
These places gave us memories. Let’s not be the reason someone else never gets the chance.
3/3
There are so many reasons boondocking options are lost: pressure from the hospitality industry, NIMBY locals, public land sold to private interests, bad campers who set dangerous fires, harm delicate flora, leave messes, and ruin it for the rest of us.
2/3
There is something bittersweet in visiting our old haunts across Sedona. A lot of the sites where we camped and created special memories are now blocked off.
1/3 #publicland
So, yeah, we make a stop off by some outlets to get Chris the basics.
When he will be reunited with is suitcase...is yet to be determined.
4/4