Hiking Trail Guide: Apache Peak

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Apache Peak

Distance
12 miles

Elevation
2800 feet gain

Difficulty
7/10

City
Mountain Center ,CA (92561) 109.05 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take the 74 or the 243 to Mountain Center. From there, head East on the 74 for 2-3 miles. You will see the signs for Apple Canyon Road and Hurkey Creek. Turn left onto Apple Canyon Road and follow it for another 2-3 miles until you see the wide turnout on your right and a trail sign for the Spitler Peak Trail. Park and take the trail to Spitler Peak.

From the trailhead it is 5 miles to the PCT (also called the Desert Divide) in this area of the San Jacintos.

If you bring a bike, remember bikes are not allowed on the PCT, make a left at the signpost and continue on the trail to the peak.

At the Apache Saddle, the trail is easy to miss, just keep heading to the peak on your left. The trail around the mountain is the PCT.

Description

This trail leads you through an interesting part of the San Jacintos. You travel through an area that isn't quite desert, not quite an oak or maple forest, and not really a pine forest. It is a transitional combination of all of the above. The views from the PCT are incredible, but you attain nice vistas of Garner Valley and Lake Hemet almost immediately.

The hike climbs the entire route, and it is very steady - a good cardio trip for about 3 1/2 miles. After that the going gets really steep through a series of switchbacks that lead you to the PCT.

The trail is well maintained, but overgrown in parts. Once you reach the plateau that contains Apache Peak, keep a sharp eye out for the trail heading up the peak.

You can combine this hike with the Spitler Peak hike adding 2 miles to your round trip, or you may want to venture a little further along the PCT to Antsell Rock, either way you will not be disappointed.

Map / Directions: