Tahquitz Peak from Humber Park Hike July 18, 1996

Updated 21-Mar-97

Jay Gural, a friend of his and I were scheduled to hike Half Dome in Yosemite Jul 18-21 except Jay forgot to tell me he was in summer school until Aug 2!! Bummer. At this point, I had a choice, return the vacation days to the pool or hang out around San Diego. I opted for the latter. Only in recent years has it been possible for me to schedule and actually take vacation. Here to fore, all applications were rejected... company events more valuable than any vacation always came up... ha! My only alternative was to "disappear" which I did sparingly. What a concept, scheduling and then taking vacation. I recommend it to everyone.

The Yosemite hike is now rescheduled for Aug 8-11. In the mean time, I decided that the best use of my Thursday (Jul 18) was to climb a mountain I had not climbed before. The target was Tahquitz Peak, located in the same mountain range as San Jacinto and in fact beginning at the same trail head. The take-off spot is at the foot of Lilly Rock (see picture) in a place called Humber Park, Idlewild, CA and leads up to Saddle Junction where the usual trail to San Jacinto Peak (10804 ft) veers to the left. At Saddle Junction I ran into a troop of girl who had become separated from the rest of their group. The Search and Rescue folks had them in hand and were just setting out to find the others when I happened by. Too bad for them. They were going up the same trail as I chose but instead had to wait under the trees until the others were corralled. They really missed out... read on.

From Saddle Junction the trail leads gradually up through Pine forests and Alpine meadows to a spur trail used by the Forest Service to man the fire tower. It turns out this 1mi spur trail is THE most spectacular part of the hike! The trail proceeds along the rim of the mountain top facing West. On a clear day (this one was not quite clear enough) you can see Los Angeles and the Pacific ocean some 100mi's away. Once at the top, the view expands to 360 degrees opening behind to Palm Springs, the Salton Sea and the Gulf of California (on a clearer day). Lack of planning prevented teaming up with a hiking partner so I had to do my own photography... sorry about that.

The fire tower was shuttered, I guess budget cuts have taken their toll on the Forest Service like every other part of government. Too bad. The rangers used to give out stickers and I was looking forward to starting my collection... a nice squirrel sticker would have been my first choice. As you can see, those manning the tower had all the comforts of home (see photos). By the way, I met up with the "lost" contingent of women hikers at the tower. They had pushed on to the top claiming they followed the same route I took, the way they all had agreed to take... no way. No doubt by the time they got back to Saddle Junction where the others were holed up, there wasn't enough daylight for them to retrace their steps so all could experience the views.

I took a different trail on the way down, also a new trek for me. There was time to spare so I took the opportunity to go off trail and explore overlooks and other minor peaks (e.g., Red Tahquitz Peak). Still made it out in record early time. I really could have extended another 5 mi's before darkness would have closed in. Though I always carry a head light, I still don't like hiking down in the dark.

The drive home was leisurely. It's really beautiful near Idlewild. You'd swear you were in Colorado. It's the first time I've made the drive during daylight hours... I may do it again. Bottom line is, the hike is a keeper. Anyone who comes out to San Diego for a visit between March and November is in jeopardy of having to replay the experience. Threat or promise, take it either way you like.

	1. The parking area at Humber Park, the tail head for hiking to Tahquitz Peak as well as San Jacinto Peak, is shaded by tall trees all round, a really nice beginning. Since my T-tops are out, the car is always covered when parked, standard ritual between April and November you know. I consider the effort it takes a small price for the enjoyment of an endless summer. I DO remember 20 below in the mid-west and never forget how nice it is here year round.
	2. The Park Service around these parts always puts up really nice signs. Sure wish they'd install escalators up the trail though. The take-off point is at 6,400 ft. The target today is a leisurely 8,700 ft... no problem!
	3. I'm not sure what "hazardous conditions" means. Some government lawyer probably penned this one to avoid liability. I'll bet it won't stop a hiker with a hang nail who is determined to sue... ya think?
	4. This is a view of Lilly rock from less than a mile up the trail. It is probably the most popular outcropping for climbers within 100 mi's, thought I didn't see any on the face today. Tahquitz Peak, complete with Fire Tower is directly behind Lilly Rock and, though this picture doesn't show it, is actually 1,000 ft taller. The Humber Park parking area and Devil's Slide trail head are located at the foot of Lilly Rock.
	5. From the Devil's Slide trail connecting Humber Park with Saddle Junction, looking across the valley is Suicide Rock. The thick forest just to the right of Suicide Rock covers "Climbers' Trail" which I've taken on occasion as an alternate way down the mountain. The Climbers' Trail is not really a trail. It doesn't appear on any map and one just has to have faith that after bush whacking your way down the fall line, you'll come out near the Humber Park parking area. Testing this theory is pretty thrilling the first time when darkness is fast closing in... just ask Jay Gural.
	6. The Devil's Slide trail winds relentlessly upward for 2.3 mi's. It is heavily traveled and well maintained. Today is a Thursday and I have only run into about three parties variously going up or down the trail. ( I know, I know, you're wondering who took these pictures... Answer: I did! Now you figure it out.)
	7. The first rest stop comes at about 7,500 ft. These new fanny packs are really THE thing for day hikes. The old day packs which hang from the shoulders are much more tiring. Suicide Rock is in the background and is now below me. Note the elevation difference between this picture and #5.
	8. At Saddle Junction the trail branches in four directions. I'm taking the Tahquitz Peak trail which forks hard right. My usual route is to the left onto the San Jacinto Peak trail. The hike to San Jacinto is about 16 to 18 mi's depending on the route taken down (Climbers' Trail or not). By contrast, the Tahquitz loop covers some 12.5 mi's.
	9. This is NOT part of the trail. I took several off-trail detours in places that promised unique views... and this one is unique all right. At this point I'm almost to the Tahquitz Peak spur trail leading to the fire tower. The valley below brackets the town of Idlewild, an artists' community with many small shops and an otherwise quaint mountain village atmosphere.
	10. The rock knob in the center is the top of Lilly rock. The outcropping which looked so tall from the trail head is now just a bump some 200 ft below. Compare this shot with picture #4. Tahquitz Peak fire tower is out of the picture to the left and higher by about 500 ft. The view from here is spectacular. On a clear day, you can see the Pacific. Today was somewhat hazy but the city of Hemit about 50 mi's away to the West is clearly visible.
	11. I was a bit disappointed in the fire tower. Somehow I expected it to be taller! However, it's diminutive size not withstanding, the Forest Service really knows where to locate such structures. To the west, below, is Idlewild, then Hemit, then slightly north and west is LA. Behind me and 8,000 ft below is Palm Desert. To the right, north, is Mt. San Jacinto rising 10,804 ft, my usual objective. And to the left, south, is the Pacific Crest Trail following a ridge line extending down to the road I came in on. FYI, the PCT starts on the Mexican border and ends somewhere in Canada.
	12. Rangers charged with spotting fires all day have the comforts of home just a short trek away from the watch tower. Aside from the door needing repair and a quarter moon carved in its face, the facility was in working order... Just in time for yours truly to make room for lunch.
	13. It was still early when I started down so I decided to take a different route. The new trail lead down and to the East toward Palm Springs. There were Alpine meadows and pine forests to cross, eventually looping back toward Saddle Junction and the Devil's Slide trail. This seemed like a good place for lunch and it was except for the mosquitoes. You'd think any knucklehead knows not to park next to water as it is a perfect breeding ground... but not this knucklehead. Good thing Vicki had some Cortisone cream in the medicine cabinet when I got home.
	14. Another shot of Suicide Rock on the way down. I've never actually been to the tip and looked over, just been as far as the path branching to the right connecting with Climber's Trail. I'll have to do it sometime if only to say I've done it.
	15. End of the day. Getting the car out from under its cover and driving off into the sunset!! What a great day. This hike is a keeper. (Lilly Rock in the background with the last rays of daylight falling on it.)

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