Elevation: 8,828 ft.

Date Hiked: 5-15-2010

Trip Report:
Tahquitz Peak is located along the Desert Divide in the San Jacinto wilderness. It is also located near the town of Idyllwild. There a few ways to reach the summit of this peak one of the most popular is the south ridge trail which I took. This is a 7 mile hike on a well established trail with excellent views. The summit of Tahquitz also has a fire lookout tower which is currently under restoration.

Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout

This hike, as with a few in the past, was done with The Omega Group. We met at 12:30 and began hiking around 1 PM. The weather was perfect with the temperature in the 60s and clouds covering the sun. The trail begins easy and gains elevation slowly. Not to far from the trailhead there is a sign for the San Jacinto Wilderness Area.

Marion Mountain and San Jacinto Peak

San Jacinto Wilderness Area

As the trail gains elevation the views open up to the south and west.

Toro Peak

Thomas Mountain

Marion Mountain and Lilly Rock

About a mile into the hike there is a unique rock with excellent views of the southern Desert Divide. Once past this point the trail levels out and the upper mountain is visible. There are also excellent views of Suicide Rock across the valley.

Interesting Rock

Tahquitz Peak

Suicide Rock

As we hiked higher the actual south ridge became visible. There were some interesting rocks which looked fun to climb on another trip.

Rocks Along the South Ridge

Eventually the trail becomes steeper as we neared the summit. There were excellent views into the valley as we got closer.

Marion Mountain and Cornell Peak

We reached the point where the the trail from saddle junction merges with the south ridge trail. This route still requires crampons and an Ice Axe.

Junction Sign

Trail to Saddle Junction

From here it was a short trip to the top. At the top we checked out the lookout tower and admired the views. It was cool on top with the temperature in the high 50s. There was also cloud cover over the entire Desert Divide which cooled temperatures as well.

I could see peaks in southern Riverside and all of San Diego county, many of which I had hiked.

Red Tahquitz

The Desert Divide and Toro Peak

Marion Mountain and Jean Peak

The Desert Divide

The Desert Divide Wide Angle

Summit Benchmark

Sun-rays

Clouds over the San Jacinto Mountains

It only took an hour to descend back to the trailhead. Over all this was a great hike with excellent views.

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