Idyllwild Hikes

[Endless Trails]

I figured I would post my recent hike, but leave the topic open for other hikes in the area.

Last week I hiked to the Tahquitz Peak Fire tower. I started at Humber Park and went up the Devils Slide trail. The views from the trail were incredible. You are looking over at Lilly Rock and also across the valley to the Suicide Rock slab. The initial climb goes from 6500ft to to 8100 in 2.8 miles. That drops you in a sadle with a few trail options. I followed the signs to the peak. A small portion of this is PCT. Total to the top was 5 miles @ 8815 per Strava. I hate back tracking so I took South Ridge back down to town. Lots of cool views and things to see along the trail down. Definitely some signs of the Native Americans to used to call the are home.
The walk down from the South Ridge trail head was fairly brutal. Steep dirt road turned into steep asphalt. Looking at the map it looked like a non-sanctioned short cut was possible down to Tahquitz View Drive right near where my next trail back to the car would start. So I went off trail down a real steep slope of soft soil and pine needles / leaves. The soft dirt made the steps easier going down with semi sure footing.
Once I got down to Tahquitz View Drive it was a short walk to the trail entrance to the Ernie Maxwell Trail which took me back to Humber Park.



The goal is at the top.

Lilly Rock

Suicide Rock

Made it to the sadle. There are a few different trail choices here, but this is the most direct to our destination.
Looking down on the back of Lilly Rock.

The top has this old fire look out currently locked up.
Tried to time the pictures to town in between the clouds forming.
Off the backside into May Valley.

 

[Endless Trails]

A little history...
When I made stickers to represent my IG, I used this mountain for the inspiration. That is basically Lilly Rock and Tahquitz Peak re-imagined.

 

[4XForOffroad]

There’s another hike to the peak of San Jacinto from Idyllwild / Pine Cove called the Marion trail. Wasn’t too bad back when I was in shape 10 years ago lol. But I remember the hike back was pretty trying on the knees and feet.

 

[Endless Trails]

There’s another hike to the peak of San Jacinto from Idyllwild / Pine Cove called the Marion trail. Wasn’t too bad back when I was in shape 10 years ago lol. But I remember the hike back was pretty trying on the knees and feet.

I did San Jacinto, Cornell Peak, Miller Peak, Drury Peak, Jean Peak, and an unknown Peak from the tram in 2015. That was a long day. I was not in the proper shape to take on that much as a bunch of it was off trail scrambles. I want to do it proper from town at some point.

I also have done Suicide Rock from Deer Springs trail across from the nature center. That is a good / easier one with a rad view across the valley.

 

[Endless Trails]

It looks like San Jacinto is 9.35 miles from the cabin door with almost 5000 ft. I might have to try and figure out a weekend to get back up there and knock it out. Maybe get Folly peak as well .