Hiking Trail Guide: Jean Peak Via Fuller Ridge

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Jean Peak Via Fuller Ridge

Distance
17 miles

Elevation
4800 feet gain

Difficulty
10/10

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

Trailhead
Take the 243 from either Banning or Idyllwild, drive until you reach Black Mountain road. Turn East onto the dirt road. It is rutted and rough, but you should be able to make it with even a low-clearance vehicle. Follow the road for 8 miles to the turnoff for the Fuller Ridge trail road (signed.) Drive to the parking area and the posts for the PCT are east to pick up.

Give yourself a good hour and fifteen minutes drive time from Banning, although the trail is perfect for a late morning stroll. It doesn't get very hot, even in August.

Take the PCT to the connection with the Deer Springs Trail, turn almost 180' and go up the mountain. At the connection with the short San Jacinto Summit trail, turn right and bushwhack your way 1/2 mile to Jean Peak. There is a summit register under some rocks at the top.

Description

This trail is up and down, up and down. It is very hard to get a rhythm going as you are constantly changing pace. The trail is much easier going in, than coming back out and some of the final ups and downs can be very painful. Make sure you are in good shape for this one.

The signed distance to San Jacinto Peak is 8 miles from the trailhead, it feels a little further, and I would suggest visiting the highest point in the park as well, making this a 17 mile round trip - it feels much longer, and it takes all day. We left a 7 AM, after getting a permit and driving up Black Mtn. Road got started on the trail at 10 AM, we were back by sunset at 7:30 PM.

There is no trail to Jean Peak, you must make your way boulder hopping and bushwhacking through Scrub Oak. It is pretty easy going though, and getting to the top is simple. Finding your way back is also easy, just head for the highest point.

Map / Directions: