Hiking Trail Guide: Tahquitz Peak - South Ridge Trail

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Tahquitz Peak - South Ridge Trail

Distance
6 miles

Elevation
2300 feet gain

Difficulty
5/10

City
Idyllwild ,CA (92549) 90.37 miles from you Weather Map

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.

Description

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.

Map / Directions: