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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a pretty straightforward trail through oak, chinnapquin, chapparal, and eventually a pine forest. You get lovely views all along the trail, and some of the boulders along the way are fascinating. At the top is a fire lookout manned by some friendly people from May-November. You can walk around it to see in every direction. The route starts with some switchbacking, then flattens out for a bit, and for the last mile, the switchbacks are pretty steep, but that's the best part, right? If it seems short - that is because it is. It is only 6 miles round trip up and back. Trailhead: Head south on the 243 from Idyllwild, turn left on Saunders Meadow Road. Turn north onto Pine Avenue (you can only turn north) then turn right onto Tahquitz View Drive, follow it until you see a sign for South Ridge Road. It isn't really a sign for the road, but it lists the trail as an option on the sign. Turn right and follow it to it's completion. The trail begins it's steady climb from here. Be courteous with parking on the weekends, this trail gets a lot of use. (Lat:33.75527 Lon:-116.67707) Trail Guides for Tahquitz Peak - South Ridge Trail: San Bernardino Mountain Trails - 100 Hikes in Southern California by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) California Hiking by Tom Sinestra and Ann Marie Brown (Avalon Travel) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: San Jacinto Wilderness (909) 659-2117 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Erica on 1/21/2008 I've done this hike twice now. It sucks during the summer to look down and see the haze that has infested SoCal, but the air up in the mountains is lovely. The trail isn't too demanding, and it's a good day hike. 
Reviewed by Daisuke Daisuke on 10/1/2007 started at 9am, finished by 2:20pm, with a 1 hr lunch at the lookout tower. beautiful day, demanding hike but do-able. 70 oz to drink. saw a 12" rattle snake. Lookout tower was manned by Host Dave. saw about 6 people during the whole trip. drive up the dirt road potholes was tricky but manageable with 4Runner 2WD. little haze could not see Catalina Island, but could see Jacinto, Gorgonio, Santiago and Big Bear.
Reviewed by Jeremy on 8/12/2007 Hiked on 8/12/07. Started at 9:00am and returned at 2:00pm. Very warm on the way back down. Saw two rattle snakes in the trail so watch out. I couldn't get my car up the dirt road to the trailhead so I had to park down by the paved road / gate, which ended up adding a little mileage, my round trip total was 9.5 miles. Great hike, unbelievable views.
Reviewed by RS on 7/9/2007 Hit the trail at 7:30 a.m. at road's end on what was to become a sweltering July day (almost 100 in Idyllwild!) We were in the shade most of the way up. Great views all the way up. Great lunch spot under a boulder at the summit looking toward San Jacinto. The lookout was closed for renovation. Clear skies all the way to coast. We saw 10 other people total on the trip. Very peaceful. Doubled-timed it back down and did the whole trip in about 4.5 hours.
Reviewed by chris & lizzy on 1/21/2007 Great winter hike, had the trail to ourselves. We encountered 4 to 6 in. of powder snow with very little ice. The trail was easy to follow, even under snow. We did't see much wildlife, but lots of fresh tracks. It took us 4.5 hrs up and back with lunch and breaks.
Reviewed by AJ on 1/15/2007 Hiked up the South Ridge Trail today with a group. Conditions were perfect. Just a dusting of snow about 4-6 inches deep with little or no ice. Crystal clear skys about 30 degrees along the trail and on top according to my zip-o-guage thermometer. Cool breeze on the windward side but felt great hiking in the trees and on sun exposed area. Only saw two small groups on the trail today. Didn't need snowshoes, crampons or ice axe. Had a great day, perfect conditions and outstanding view. Saw the ocean shimmering off in the setting sun. Needed Four Wheel Drive to get to the trailhead parking lot but not chains.
Reviewed by AMM on 1/5/2007 Did the trail 2X. Spring backpacking 4yrs ago. Very good for beginners. 2nd time was an early summer family leisure hike two yrs ago with my 16yr old son & 12yr old daughter. It was a struggle for my daughter but she made it to the tower with a little game playing along the way. On the way down, rain thunder hail and a baby rattler blocking the trail. We had a great time and it was a fun experience. We were prepared but we ran out of water half way down. I took a water filter kit thinking there would be water in the creeks (but was dry).
Reviewed by z.h. on 8/1/2006 starts off pretty easy but the last bit of trail is all switch backs to the top but the hike is very well worth the view at the end p.s. i suggest you take bonoculars Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Riverside County Hiking, Riverside County Trails, Riverside County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||