Location: Riverside County, about 8 miles west of Palm Springs, 112 miles from Los Angeles

Maps

Auto Club: Riverside County

Forest Service: San Bernardino National Forest

USGS Topo: San Jacinto Peak 7½

HPS: Route(s), waypoints and explanation of usage

Nearby Peaks: San Jacinto Peak, Folly Peak, Jean Peak, Marion Mountain, Drury Peak

Distance: 4 miles round trip on trail and cross-country

Gain: 1600' total, 1400' out plus 200' on return

Time: 2-4 hours round trip

Rating: Class 2, moderate

Navigation: Moderate

Route: Summit area has moderate exposure on good rock

Original: Byron Prinzmetal, August 2002

DRIVING ROUTE 3

• Take I-10 east past Banning to the junction with SR 111.
• Take SR 111 southeast 8.5 miles to the Palm Springs Tramway Road. Turn right.
• Go up this road 3.7 miles to its end and park in the tramway parking lot.

HIKING ROUTE 3

• Take the tram (fee required) to the upper station at 8560'. Go downstairs and exit the building. Follow the concrete sidewalk as it descends to the valley below.
• Continue straight ahead 200 yards to a ranger station. Pick up a day hike permit here (remember to sign out here on the return).
• Continue about 1/4 mile to a trail junction with a sign "Round Valley - 2".
• Take the Round Valley turnoff and continue another 1/4 mile to where the trail crosses the stream. There is usually a sign here telling hikers they must have a permit. Prior to crossing the stream there is a use trail on your right (west).
• Turn right (west) and follow the use trail to Tamarack Valley.
• Upon reaching a trail junction at the Tamarack Valley sign, follow the trail on the left and hike north through the campsites onto the steep slopes of the peak visible straight ahead.
• Aim slightly to the right of the apparent summit area, passing rock barriers generally on their east side until you discern the main ridgeline ahead.
• When you reach the ridge, turn left (west) toward the summit and scramble to the base of the summit block on its east side. Here is a foot wide chimney with a chock stone wedged in it about 10' up. The register should be located at the base of the chimney.