2011-07-23: Tahquitz Peak via Devil's Slide (Idyllwild, CA)

[OLLIE]

Puttin' the feelers out... Some friends and I are thinking about doing a 9.4 mi (round trip), 2780 ft elevation gain, 8-10 hr day hike to Tahquitz Peak (8846 ft) via Devil's Slide Trail. The trailhead is at 6400 feet in elevation and Tahquitz Peak is at 8800 feet in elevation. We start at Humber Park and make a right turn at Saddle Junction about 2.5 miles up the trail. We work our way for a few miles across a saddle back before hitting the Tahquitz lookout tower. With the elevation and the trail conditions, it is recommended that you do not attempt this without some hiking experience. I'll post up some details in the next few days. Post up if you are interested in joining us.

The plan right now is to meet at the Idyllwild Ranger's Station at 7:45 - 8:00 am. We have to get a day-use permit and I need to make sure I get the right number of people on the permit so be as punctual as possible. Yout will require an "Adventure Pass" to park at the trailhead. The trailhead is only a few miles from the Ranger Station.

Idyllwild Ranger Station
54270 Pine Crest
P.O. Box 518
Idyllwild, CA 92549

Be prepared for warm or cold weather. I'll update the weather forecast as we get closer. Remember water, water, water. One bottle of water will not be enough. I will be bringing my 100 oz hydration bladder in my day pack and possibly two 32 oz Nalgene bottles of water. I will have my filtration pump with me in the event that there's an emergency but I shouldn't have to get it out of my bag. So far I think there's about six of us planning on doing this hike. The difficulty level is strenuous. The elevation gain from the trailhead to the peak is about 2350 feet inside of around 4.75 miles. Plus you have to deal with the elevation gain of driving from sea level to the trailhead. An 8900 foot gain in elevation gain in a day mess with your system especially if the last few thousand feet is done on foot exerting yourself. So, please come prepared. but don't bring the kitchen sink. Small first aid kit, knife, sire started, water, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, food for lunch, and a positive atitude should take care of it.

You will be able to follow us on my SPOT at this link...
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... a6OapnF0On

[BorregoWrangler]

Interested!

[gon2srf]

Puttin' the feelers out... Some friends and I are thinking about doing a 9.4 mi (round trip), 2780 ft elevation gain, 8-10 hr day hike to Tahquitz Peak (8846 ft) via Devil's Slide Trail. The trailhead is at 6400 feet in elevation and Tahquitz Peak is at 8800 feet in elevation. We start at Humber Park and make a right turn at Saddle Junction about 2.5 miles up the trail. We work our way for a few miles across a saddle back before hitting the Tahquitz lookout tower. With the elevation and the trail conditions, it is recommended that you do not attempt this without some hiking experience. I'll post up some details in the next few days. Post up if you are interested in joining us.

I'm up for that, sounds like a good hike. I camped at Boulder Basin Campground 7300ft. near Black Mountain (7772) this past weekend and did the Black Mountain trail (half of it, up only). We got dropped off at the trail head and hiked up to the Lookout and over to our campsite. About a 5 miler....Enjoyed the view of Tahquitz Peak from the Black Mountain Fire Lookout. The weather was stellar.


Highlights:
Fire Lookout, Amazing views of San Gabriels, San Gorgonio and the pass
Near: Idyllwild, CA
Scenery:
Distance: 8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2700 ft
Hike Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trail Condition: OK, but a few difficult spots
HikeType: Out and Back



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Summary: This is a no-nonsense elevation gainer. You start at 5200 feet and in a little over 3.5 miles gain 2600 feet to a final elevation at or near 7800 feet. Most of the early part of the trail is through oak, some scattered pine and chaparral. Views of the San Gabriels and the San Gorgonio Wilderness open up almost immediately. The real beauty comes, however, when you reach the high country and the alpine woods.

From the fire lookout on top you are afforded a 360' view of Fuller Ridge, San Jacinto, the San Gabriels, San Gorgonio and all of Southern California in-between, albeit the view is interrupted by the lookout tower. Still, this is a fascinating mountain to climb.

The best time to go is winter when Black Mountain Road is closed, so you can avoid people who have taken their cars to the top, and have the views all to yourself. If you do choose winter, watch out for shady icy sections of the trail. Some areas are very dangerous.
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Trailhead: Take the 10 East to Banning. Exit Highway 243, and follow the signs for the highway. About one-two miles past the Vista Grande Ranger Station, you will see a sign for Black Mountain trail. Turn left and follow the dirt road to a parking area.

The trail is pretty easy to follow. In some places it is hard to discern when it follows a rocky wash or tops sandy boulders, just stop to look around and you'll find it.

Black Mountain Road will take you right to the top in summertime, so the best time to make this trip is winter when the road is closed and icy. Even on a Saturday, you won't see many people. The clear winter skies are also a bonus. (Lat:33.82395 Lon:-116.75758)

[OLLIE]

Puttin' the feelers out... Some friends and I are thinking about doing a 9.4 mi (round trip), 2780 ft elevation gain, 8-10 hr day hike to Tahquitz Peak (8846 ft) via Devil's Slide Trail. The trailhead is at 6400 feet in elevation and Tahquitz Peak is at 8800 feet in elevation. We start at Humber Park and make a right turn at Saddle Junction about 2.5 miles up the trail. We work our way for a few miles across a saddle back before hitting the Tahquitz lookout tower. With the elevation and the trail conditions, it is recommended that you do not attempt this without some hiking experience. I'll post up some details in the next few days. Post up if you are interested in joining us.

I'm up for that, sounds like a good hike. I camped at Boulder Basin Campground 7300ft. near Black Mountain (7772) this past weekend and did the Black Mountain trail (half of it, up only). We got dropped off at the trail head and hiked up to the Lookout and over to our campsite. About a 5 miler....Enjoyed the view of Tahquitz Peak from the Black Mountain Fire Lookout. The weather was stellar.

I've been looking at that trailand will do it either late this year or early next year. You can take that trail all the way to Jacinto. We almost did that route to Jacinto instead of Devil's Slide for SummerFest 2010. We opted for Devil's Slide instead since there are more exposed areas with views from the Devil's Slide approach.

[brentbba]

It's a fun little day hike. Done it with my scout troop.

Plenty of water, a nice sack lunck in a day pack, sunscreen, a hat and GOOD hiking shoes. I couldn't believe how many idiots I saw on the lower portion of that trail in sandals and flip flops! Just stupid and a very easy way to rip open a toe or turn an ankle.

[BorregoWrangler]

I couldn't believe how many idiots I saw on the lower portion of that trail in sandals and flip flops! Just stupid and a very easy way to rip open a toe or turn an ankle.

Yep, I see that all the time. They make hiking boots for a reason folks.

[ralphie]

interested! I need to get! sounds fun.

[gon2srf]

interested! I need to get! sounds fun.

What do you need to get?

[ralphie]

i need to get out of the house...

[OLLIE]

Details added to the first post.