By Ann Davis
18 Sep, 2015
Community Types, Equestrian properties, Horseshows, Indio, Palm Springs Valley, Polo & HITS, Ranches, Ranches and Farm Land
equestrian properties for sale, Palm Springs valley, Ranches and Farm Land for Sale
A romantic evening on a Full Moon Trail Ride in Morongo Valley
Equestrian activities in the Palm Springs Valley are plentiful, so if you happen to be a horse person, rest assured there is no lack of exciting things to experience here in the desert. Whether it’s watching world class horse events held in the east valley – Indio, Coachella, Thermal area… or trail riding in the Palm Springs, High Desert area, your options are many.
SADDLE UP FOR A TRAIL RIDE
Trail riding is such a wonderful way to get intimate with the desert landscape. It’s meditative. You’re surrounded by nature as you wind your way on horseback through the ruggedly beautiful canyons of the local mountains with the sun on your back. Palm Springs is fortunate to be home to historic Smoke Tree Stables, tucked away off of the busy thoroughfare of Highway 111. There you will find group packages available for trail riding adventures into nearby Indian Canyons, where the Cahuilla Indians used to roam and native palm oases and streams grace the landscape. Picnic lunches or western cookouts can be included, whatever your fancy.
You can also hightail it up to the High Desert area of Morongo Valley for trail riding… it’s just a short 20 minute drive up Hwy. 62 from Palm Springs. The High Desert offers it’s own brand of magic, as it’s typically at least 10 degrees cooler up there (which is nice in the summer) and the scenic views of snow-capped Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio absolutely take your breath away. You’ll think you’re in the Swiss Alps.
More
Palm Springs Valley – The latest trend in tourism seems to be what is called “agri-tourism” – and Riverside County officials want to promote our rich farming industry here by creating an “ag trail.” This trail would connect farms and ranches together, creating a network of attractions that would ultimately promote Riverside County’s $1 billion agricultural industry.
This proposal is spearheaded by John Benoit and Jeff Stone, County Supervisors, and will be considered by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. What it calls for is a full-fledged trail that would be mapped out by the end of February – there will be printed and online guides pointing tourists, school groups and others to farms, ranches, farmers markets, wineries, historical points of interest, events like the Date Festival in Indio, and more – to learn about the process of producing crops and getting them to market.
In the County of Riverside, there exists about 1,700 farming sites. There would be at least 50 to 75 stops on the trail, working its way east from Blythe and stops would be updated as needed. For instance, Shields Date Garden in Indio could be one stop on the ag-trail. People who are already visiting our county or residents here would be encouraged to get out and explore this aspect of our area – and purchase fresh grown products while they’re out there.
The ag-trail is actually part of a broader focus by top county officials on agriculture in Riverside – which exports to 70 different countries and has a $3 billion impact on the local economy. It is hopeful that the trail will be a good way to make the public aware of farming and the issues surrounding it, as concerns are here in our county and state that growth ongoingly threatens to displace our farmers and ranchers.
More
