Location: 10 miles west of Palm Springs

Mt. San Jacinto (10,834 feet) offers unique opportunities to enjoy scenic, high country wilderness in just a two-hour drive from either Los Angeles or San Diego.  Rising dramatically from the desert floor, the San Jacinto Mountains are flanked to the east by Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage, to the West by Idyllwild and to the north by Mt. San Gorgonio.

COORDINATES: N33° 48' 52''   W116° 40' 44.91''

http://www.lat-long.com/California/San-Jacinto-Peak_248862.html

Google Earth - Get a bird's eye view of Mt. San Jacinto. If you have Google Earth installed, you can double-click on the linked Placemark file and it will fly you to Mt. San Jacinto. If not, you will need to install Google Earth first (available at http://earth.google.com).

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Mt. Jacinto State Park Map 

QUADRANTS:  --Northeast Map  --North East Section  --South East Section  --South West Section

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The San Jacinto Mountains are named after Saint Hyacinth (San Jacinto in Spanish). Located in the Mount San Jacinto State Park, Mt. San Jacinto (also called San Jacinto Peak) is the second highest peak in Southern California. Near its summit is a stone hut that was built in 1935. The Palm Springs Aerial Tram which was completed in 1963, offers a 15-minute ride beginning at the valley floor, up 5,873 feet to the edge of the wilderness. The tram passes through several climatic zones with temperatures than can drop 30 to 40 degrees or more. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the mountain range.

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SAN JACINTO PEAK via the TRAMWAY

DESCRIPTION: This moderate backpacking or day hike route begins by first ascending 5,873 feet on the aerial tram, up the side of Mt. San Jacinto, to the edge of a spectacular pine forest.  At the summit you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the desert below.

DISTANCE: 5.8 miles to the summit from Mountain Station; 11.6 miles round trip

TRAILHEAD:  Valley Station at 2,643’ to Mountain Station at 8,516’.  A Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness day-use permits are required for day hikes.  A wilderness permit is required for camping. Both day-use and wilderness permits may be acquired at the Long Valley Ranger Station near the top of the tram. For overnight trips it is recommended that you apply for the permit in advance, by mail. There is a fee to ride the tram.

GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD:

From Los Angeles:

• Take I-10 east to the Palm Springs exit (SR 111).
• Take SR 111 southeast 8.5 miles. Turn right on the Palm Springs Tramway Road.
• Go 3.7 miles on Tramway Road to where it ends.
• Purchase a round-trip tram ticket and take the tram to the upper station at 8,560’.

From San Diego:

• Take I-15 north to the I-10 east.
• Take I-10 east to the Palm Springs exit (SR 111).
• Take SR 111 southeast 8.5 miles. Turn right on the Palm Springs Tramway Road.
• Go 3.7 miles on Tramway Road to where it ends.
• Purchase a round-trip tram ticket and take the tram to the upper station at 8,560’.

ROUND VALLEY TRAIL ROUTE

• Once at the Upper Station, take the paved pathway 0.2 miles to the San Jacinto State Wilderness ranger hut in long Valley to obtain a wilderness permit.
• Continue about 1/4 mile to the trail junction for "Round Valley.”  Keep right and continue for two miles to the Round Valley, or Tamarack Valley Campground (see below), to set up camp and drop off gear.
• To continue to the summit,  continue one mile to Wellman Divide (9700'), 3.2 miles from the trailhead.
• Turn North (right) at Wellman Divide and continue up to a junction just below the peak.
• Veer right and follow the trail up to the peak. You will pass a stone cabin and have to do some boulder scrambling in order to reach the top.
• Return via the same route. (Be sure to leave enough time to catch the return tram on the way back. Currently, the last return tram leaves at 9:45p.m.)

CAMPING ALONG THE TRAIL:

• Round Valley Campground (9,100’) - 2.1 miles from Mountain Station.  Water, pit toilets, 28 campsites.
• Tamarack Valley Campground (9,200”) - 2.5 miles from Upper Station. 12 campsite, water, pit toilets.

NOTES

• There is no water or facilities at the top, so plan accordingly.
• Bring a jacket to the summit. Temperatures are 30-40°s cooler on the peak than on the valley floor.
• It is not unusual to experience High Altitude Sickness at or near the summit. Descend to a lower elevation to relieve symptoms.  See Health section below for more information.
• For a nice PHOTO ESSAY of this hike, click here.

San Jacinto-To-Idyllwild Bed & Breakfast

DESCRIPTION: In the style of a European “hut-to-hut” hike, this route treats you to a dramatic aerial tram ride, stunning mountain scenery, a spectacular, yet challenging hike, AND a soft bed--without carrying overnight gear. What more can you ask?

RESERVATIONS: Make reservations at an Idyllwild Bed & Breakfast ahead of time. Be sure to  get walking directions to the B & B from Humbar Park.  Most inns require a two-night stay.

IDYLLWILD BED & BREAKFAST LINKS:

- Strawberry Creek Inn

- The Lodge at Pine Cove

- Creekstone Inn

DISTANCE: 7.7 miles to Idyllwild; 15.4 miles round trip.

TRAILHEAD:  Valley Station (2,643 feet) to Mountain Station (8,516 feet).  A day-use permit is required for the hike and can be obtained from the ranger hut after you get off the tram. There is no fee for the permit.  There is a fee to ride the tram.

GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD:

From Los Angeles:

• Take I-10 east to the Palm Springs exit (SR 111).
• Take SR 111 southeast 8.5 miles. Turn right on the Palm Springs Tramway Road.
• Go 3.7 miles on Tramway Road to where it ends.
• Purchase a round-trip tram ticket and take the tram to the upper station at 8,560’.

From San Diego:

• Take I-15 north to I-10 east.
• Take I-10 east to the Palm Springs exit (SR 111).
• Take SR 111 southeast 8.5 miles. Turn right on the Palm Springs Tramway Road.
• Go 3.7 miles on Tramway Road to where it ends.
• Purchase a round-trip tram ticket and take the tram to the upper station at 8,560’.

B & B TRAIL ROUTE

• Once at the Upper Station, take the paved pathway 0.2 miles to the San Jacinto State Wilderness ranger hut in long Valley to obtain a day-use permit.
• Continue about 1/4 mile to the trail junction for "Round Valley.” 
• Continue one mile to Wellmans Divide (9700'), 3.2 miles from the trailhead.
• For a side trip to San Jacinto Peak head right (north).
• To Idyllwild, turn South (left) at Wellmans Divide and continue down to Saddle Junction.
• Head west on Devils Slide Trail all the way to Humber Park and on to the B & B.
• Return via the same route. (Be sure to leave enough time to catch the return tram on the way back. Currently, the last return tram leaves at 9:45p.m.)

During your stay in the charming village of Idyllwild, be sure to take a walk along the lovely Strawberry Creek Trail.  Other things to do/places of interest include:

Idyllwild Historical Society Museum - a 1920’s rustic cabin serves as the backdrop for historic exhibits pertaining to the historyof the San Jacinto Mountain communities.

Idyllwild Arts  - Offers workshops under the pines, pursuing interests in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.

Rustic Movie Theater - Open daily until 9 p.m.

Art Alliance of Idyllwild - Listing of Idyllwild’s art galleries and events.

Idyllwild Nature Center - Exhibits and gift shop about the natural and cultural history of the San Jacinto Mountains.

SAN JANCINTO PEAK from IDYLLWILD

DESCRIPTION: This hike meanders from Idyllwild, up the aptly-named Devil’s Slide Trail, to San Jacinto peak.

DISTANCE:  8 miles to the summit; 16 miles round trip.

TRAILHEAD:  Devil’s Slide Trail (6,434 feet) to San Jacinto Peak (10,834 feet).  A wilderness camping permit is required and may be obtained at the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station at 54270 Pine Crest Avenue in Idyllwild, (951) 659-2117, or by mail.  (Note: In Idyllwild, the Forest Service Station and the San Jacinto State Park HQ, are across the street from one another. ONLY the Forest Service issues permits for the campgrounds described below.) Due to limits on trail usage, it is recommended that you apply for the permit in advance, by mail. There is no fee for the permit. 

GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD:

From Los Angeles:

• Take I-10 east to the Banning exit.
• Take Highway 243 south for 25 miles to Idyllwild
• Bear northeast on North Circle Drive for ¾ mile
• Turn right on South Circle Drive..
• Turn left on Fern Valley Road.
• Continue about 2 miles to the parking lot at Humber Park.

From San Diego:

• Take I-15 north to I-10 east.
• Take I-10 east to the Banning exit.
• Take Highway 243 south for 25 miles to Idyllwild
• Bear northeast on North Circle Drive for ¾ mile
• Turn right on South Circle Drive..
• Turn left on Fern Valley Road.
• Continue about 2 miles to the parking lot at Humber Park.

ROUTE

• Take the Devil’s Slide Trail for 2.5 miles to Saddle Junction. Head to your reserved campsite location (see below) to set up camp and drop off gear.
• Take the Devil’s Slide Trail for 2.5 miles to Saddle Junction. Head to your reserved campsite location (see below) to set up camp and drop off gear.
• To reach San Jacinto Peak, head North on the Pacific Crest Trail toward Wellmans Divide (5.4 miles from Trailhead)
• At Wellmans Divide, head left (North) toward San Jacinto Peak.
• Bear right and follow the trail to the summit.
• Return via the same route.

CAMPING ALONG THE TRAIL:

USFS Camping/Zone Boundary Map

North Rim Zone (7,600 – 9,100 feet): Steep terrain. Water nearby.

Skunk Cabbage (8,800 feet): Water available at nearby stream and Willow Creek.

Lower Basin (6,600 feet): No water in some summer months.

Desert View Zone:  Varied terrain and vegetation. Very little water.

Tahquitz Zone (8,000 feet): Water available in nearby creek.

Chinquapin Zone (8,000 feet): Great views.  No water nearby.

NOTES

• There is no water or facilities at or near the summit of  San Jacinto Peak, so plan accordingly.
• Bring a jacket to the summit. Temperatures are 30-40 °s cooler on the peak than on the valley floor.

It is not unusual to experience High Altitude Sickness at or near the summit. Descend to a lower elevation to relieve symptoms.  See Health section below for more information.

Job and Volunteer Opportunities for the San Jacinto Mountain Area:

Idyllwild Nature Center

San Bernardino Forest Service--San Jacinto Ranger District

The James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve

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Catch the first gondola of the morning if you're a slow hiker or struggle with 9,000+ foot altitude. Even better, tackle it the weekend after hiking/backpacking the Sierras (we did it after a week of day hiking over 10,000 feet).   Be prepared for a short scramble to reach the top.   Consider doing it as part of a weekend trip from Palm Springs to Idyllwild.   Be prepared for crowds during the summer (fall is better).  

Dave Chapman
http://www.stormdude.com

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Tramway weather

San Jacinto Weather 

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Park brochure

• 101 Hikes in Southern California by Jerry Schad, $15.95
• Peaks, Palm & Picnics by Linda McMillin Pyle, $15.95
• California’s Wilderness Areas by George Wuerthner, $27.95
• California Hiking by Tom Stienstra, $21.95

All books available at Adventure 16.

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ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Altitude sickness occurs when you ascend in elevation faster than your body can adjust to the decreased amount of oxygen. Symptoms include: Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting; fatigue or weakness; dizziness or light-headedness; difficulty sleeping. Descending to a lower elevation can relieve symptoms. Continuing to ascend with altitude sickness will worsen the symptoms and can even result in death in acute cases. For more information click here.

PREVENTION

• Ascend gradually so that your body has time to acclimatize. People acclimatize at different rates, which can vary from trip to trip.
• If possible, climb high, sleep low. Sleep at least 450 feet lower than the highest altitude climbed during the day.
• Avoid dehydration, over-exertion, alcohol and other depressant drugs.

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 Donate-Pack-Foundation The Donate-A-Pack Foundation exists to benefit at-risk,  low income, or disabled youth in Southern California by enabling them to partake in an outdoor wilderness experience.

Receive 10% off any regularly-priced Gregory pack when you donate a usable full-size pack to the Donate-A-Pack Foundation. Visit adventure16.com for details.

National Wilderness Preservation System—San Jacinto The National Wilderness Preservation System was established to "...secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness."

Hiking, backpacking, and other wilderness activities, are potentially dangerous and unpredictable.  Adventure 16 assumes no liability for injuries associated with the use of information provided on this site. The trails, activities and areas described on this site are to be used for informational purposes only and should not be your sole source of guidance.  Always thoroughly research any outdoor area you plan to visit using various resources--including contacting local ranger stations--to obtain the most up to date information for your destination. Contact your physician if you are unsure about your health or physical abilities.