Perched in the lower Santa Rosa Mountains, a 30-foot cross shines nightly over the Coachella Valley. Now maintained by St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, it was installed at its current site in 1996 — though the idea of a hillside cross dates back to 1981, when a student erected one nearby at Christmastime.
Two routes lead to the landmark. Start at Cap Homme/Ralph Adams Park for a 2.2-mile out-and-back hike, taking Homestead Trail and veering left onto Hopalong Cassidy Trail toward the cross. For a 3.3-mile loop, begin at Cahuilla Hills Park, where the Gabby Hayes Trail connects to Hopalong Cassidy. Descend on Homestead Trail to Homme Adams Park and follow the road back to your starting point.
