Hiking in Idyllwild
The San Jacinto mountains
offer about 275 miles of trails that are varied enough to appeal to
the novice yet are sufficiently challenging for the advanced
hiker.
Some hiking trails are located in the 35,000
acre San Jacinto Wilderness area managed by the US Forest Service. Other
trails are within the 10,000 acre Mt San Jacinto State
Wilderness, administered by Mt. San Jacinto State Park.
Wilderness permits are available at no cost
from the San Jacinto State Park headquarters on Highway 243 or
at the Idyllwild Ranger Station at Highway 243 and Pine Crest
Drive
Backpackers who would like to venture farther
into the wilderness will find more information in the Backpacking section of our site. |
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Regulations
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For day use, most hiking
trails require a wilderness permit |
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Horses are allowed on all
trails, but grazing is not permitted. Bring feed for
overnight trips |
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Dogs are allowed on the
Forest Service Wilderness trails, but not in the
State Wilderness |
Safety Tips
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Be prepared for variations in temperature and the
possibility of rain and snow |
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Check weather conditions before departing on a hiking trip |
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Treat water in the wilderness area before drinking |
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Non-Wilderness Hiking Trails
(Permit Not Required for Day Hiking)
 Pacific
Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail
(PCT) extends 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada. Although a few
marathon hikers have traveled the length in one trip, most hike the
trail in sections. The San Jacinto District contains 55 miles of the
PCT. It begins 1/4 mile east of the junction of State Highways 371
and 74 in Garner Valley. It passes through the wilderness and exits
north of Cabazon Peak near Interstate 10 in the desert near Palm
Springs. A hiking permit is required for travel through the
wilderness section.
Ernie
Maxwell Scenic Trail - EASY 2.6 miles
Starts at Fern Valley Road, just before
Humber Park. Beginning at 6100 ft. and crossing streams along the
way, it descends 600 ft. and is a good walk for beginning botanists;
many different species of trees can be found along the way.
Palm
Canyon Trail
Starts off of
Hwy. 74, west of the Pinyon Flat Campground. It heads north,
descending the length of Palm Canyon to Palm Springs. The distance
from Hwy. 74, north, to the Forest Service boundary is 9 miles. You
will need written permission from the Agua Caliente Tribal Council
to hike the portions of Palm Canyon Trail that cross tribal lands
(call 619-325-5673).
Cahuilla
Mountain Trail - MODERATE 2.5 miles
Starts at Cahuilla Saddle,
elevation 4480 ft., on Forest road 6S22 in Anza. It then proceeds up
the northeast slope through thickets of chaparral, Live Oak, and
Jeffrey Pine. From the 5604 ft. summit are views of the area that
Juan Bautista de Anza traveled through on his expedition in 1776.
This trail passes through a Research Natural Area containing
ecosystems used for research and study purposes.
Webster
Trail - STRENUOUS 2.5 miles
Starts on Forest road 5S10
and descends west to the North
Fork of the San Jacinto River. Jeffrey pines border the start of the
Webster Trail which proceeds over a ridge, passes through chaparral,
and terminates in streamside willows, offering excellent views of
the San Jacinto and Hemet Valleys. Beginning elevation is 5400 ft.
with an 1800 ft. elevation change.
South
Fork Trail - MODERATELY STRENUOUS 4.5 miles
Descends from Hwy. 74, trailhead elevation 3800
ft., to the South Fork of the San Jacinto River. It then ascends to
4600 ft. at Rouse Ridge Road (5S15). Park at the Caltrans cinder bin
turnout on Hwy. 74, west of Mountain Center. The trail provides
access to fishing at the River.
Black
Mountain Trail - MODERATELY STRENUOUS 3.6 miles
Starts at Hwy. 243, 1.3 miles south
of the Vista Grande Fire Station. The trail begins in chaparral at
4480 ft. and ends on the forested slopes of Black Mountain,
elevation 7772 ft. There are excellent views of the Banning Pass and
Mt. San Gorgonio. This trail passes through a Research Natural Area
containing ecosystems used for research and study purposes.
Ramona
Trail - MODERATE 3 miles
Climbs 15M ft., offering views of Garner Valley. Starting at
4400 ft., the hike ascends to Toolbox, Spring on Thomas Mountain
Road (6S13). Trailhead sign is about 3.5 miles south of Lake Hemet
on Hwy. 74.
Fobes
Trail - MODERATE 1.5 miles
Starts in Garner Valley from Fobes Ranch Road (6S05). The
trail winds through chaparral and oaks to intersect with
the Pacific Crest Trail, on the pine-covered Desert Divide, south of Spitler Peak and north of Palm View Peak. Beginning elevation is
5200 ft. with a gain of 800 ft.
Cedar Spring Trail
- MODERATE 3.2 miles
Follow Morris Ranch Road
in Garner Valley to the trailhead sign. The trail travels through
private property; please respect private property rights and stay on
the dirt road. Begins at
5760 ft. The trail connects with the Pacific Crest Trail, along the
Desert Divide, south of Palm View Peak at an elevation of 6400 ft.
To Cedar Spring, take the branch trail off the PCT northeast for one
mile.
Wilderness Access Trails
(Permit Always Required)
Fuller
Ridge Trail - MODERATE 5 miles
Actually part of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Starting at 7600 ft., it follows the high, timbered ridge above Snow
Creek offering spectacular views of the desert. The trail joins Deer
Springs Trail, at an elevation of 9200 ft., where a strenuous
portion proceeds 2.5 miles to San Jacinto Peak (10,804 ft.).
Recommended season is June-October. Access from Black Mt. Road
(4S01), a forest road, is usually closed from November-May.
Deer
Springs Trail - MODERATE 3.3 miles
Starts on Hwy. 243, one mile north of Idyllwild, at an elevation of
5600 ft. A branch trail leads to the top of Suicide Rock, with a
gain of 1700 ft. from the trailhead. From here, panoramic views
sweep Idyllwild and the rugged, granite cliff of Tahquitz (Lily)
Rock. The Deer Springs Trail continues to San Jacinto Peak, with a
gain of 5200 ft. from the trailhead.
Seven
Pines Trail - MODERATELY STRENUOUS 4 miles
Follows the North Fork of the San Jacinto River to its
headwater at Deer Springs. The trail is heavily forested with plenty
of switchbacks. Drive through Dark Canyon Campground to the
trailhead; the campground access road is normally closed
October-May. Beginning elevation is 6320 ft., with an elevation
change of 23W ft. to the junction of Deer Springs Trail.
Marion
Mountain Trail - STRENUOUS 5.9 miles
Heavily forested, this trail is the shortest route to San Jacinto Peak.
The trail begins from the road leading to, and shortly before,
Marion Mountain Campground. It climbs the northwest flank of Marion
Ridge offering far reaching vistas. Beginning elevation is 6480 ft.,
with an elevation change of 2300 ft. to the junction of Deer Springs
Trail.
Devil's
Slide Trail - MODERATE 2.5 miles
Ascends from Humber Park to Saddle Junction with many
switchbacks and far-reaching views. Starting at 6280 ft. the gain in
elevation is 1700 ft. From Saddle Junction, trails lead to San
Jacinto Peak (10,804 ft.), the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (8516
ft.), and Tahquitz Peak Lookout (8828 ft.). The Pacific Crest Trail
passes through Saddle Junction. Day hike permits for the Devil's
Slide Tr. are limited on weekends and holidays during the summer
(between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends) due to very heavy use.
An alternate choice may be necessary.
South
Ridge Trail - MODERATE
Proceeds to Tahquitz Peak Lookout. From both the trail and peak are
spectacular views of the Desert Divide, Strawberry Valley and
beyond. Beginning at 6800 ft., the elevation gain is 2000 ft.
Recommended for morning hours during the summer. It can be warm and
dry during other parts of the day. Follow signs on Saunders Meadow
Road leading to South Ridge Trail and Forest access road 5S11.
Spitler
Peak Trail - STRENUOUS 5 miles
Climbs from a trailhead elevation of 4920 ft. to
an elevation of 7000 ft. The trail intersects the Pacific Crest
Trail (PCT) north of Spitler Peak, along the Desert Divide. Hiking may be
warm during the summer as the trail travels through chapparal up to
oaks and pines. Access to the trail is from Apple Canyon Road in
Garner Valley.
Climbers
Trail
This 0.5 mile trail is used
primarily by rock Climbers to access the base of Suicide Rock. It
leaves from Fern Valley Road near Humber Park. The trail travels
through private property; please respect private property rights and
stay on the trail. For the Climbers Trail, register at the sign-in
box a short way up the trail; this is your permit.
Palm
Springs Aerial Tramway Area Trails
Trails leave the Tramway (8615 ft.) for Round Valley, elevation gain
600 ft.; San Jacinto Peak, elevation gain 2300 ft.; and the National
Forest Wilderness (closest point is Willow Creek crossing),
elevation descent 900 ft.
Cactus
Spring Trail (Santa Rosa Wilderness)
To enter the Santa Rosa Wilderness register at the sign-in box a
short way beyond the trailhead; this is your Wilderness permit. A
high desert trail, it begins in Pinyon Flat at 4000 ft. and descends
400 ft. to Horsethief Creek. Bighorn sheep inhabit this region.
Trailhead is shortly past the Riverside Co. Transfer Station on
Forest road 7SO9. The trail continues 15 miles, through Agua Alta
Canyon, to State Highway 86 in the low desert. Beyond Cactus Spring
the trail may be difficult to follow. |
