Hiking the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail in Idyllwild
Sometimes we want to climb straight up a mountain toward a peak, but other days, a quieter trail around the side of the mountain is exactly what we need. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is that kind of hike.
Kim spent a few years living in Idyllwild when she was very young, and this is one of the trails she remembers hiking as a child. She managed it as an active six-year-old, which gives a pretty good idea of the difficulty. It is long enough to feel like a real hike, but the grade is gentle and the trail never becomes especially strenuous.
Ernie Maxwell Trail Details
The full out-and-back hike is about five miles with roughly 700 feet of elevation change. We spent around three hours on the trail, including a peaceful 20-minute lunch break on a large rock just off the path.
The trail does not end at a peak or dramatic overlook. It eventually reaches a road near the lower trailhead, which is a fairly anticlimactic turnaround point. Because of that, it works just as well as a shorter hike. You can walk until you have had enough forest time, then turn around and return to Humber Park.
Most of the trail is shaded by pines, oaks, and cedars. The path stays relatively narrow but was easy to follow, with long stretches of soft dirt and pine needles underfoot.
Boulders, Moss & Mountain Views
One of my favorite things about the Idyllwild forest is the number of enormous granite boulders scattered between the trees. Some sit beside the trail, while others rise above it or appear through openings in the forest.
We hiked in the middle of January after several days of rain and snow. The damp weather brought out the colors in the landscape, especially the bright green moss covering some of the rocks. Against the gray granite, brown pine needles, and deep green trees, the moss looked almost unnaturally vivid.
This is not a trail with constant panoramic views, but there are occasional openings through the trees where we could see Suicide Rock, Tahquitz Peak, and parts of the San Jacinto Mountains. The glimpses were brief, appearing between tree trunks and around bends rather than opening into one large viewpoint.
The quieter scenery suited this hike. We spent most of the time walking beneath the trees, looking at the rocks, moss, bark, and smaller details along the trail.
Seasonal Creek Crossings
The trail crosses several seasonal creeks, which may be dry during much of the year. Since we visited shortly after rain and snow, there was enough water to require some rock hopping.
None of the crossings were especially difficult, but wet rocks can be slippery. The water added another layer of sound to the forest and gave us a few places to slow down while choosing a dry route across.
Conditions can be very different depending on the season. After winter storms, the trail may have flowing water, snow, ice, mud, or fallen branches, while warmer months can be much drier.
The Ernie Maxwell Trail is not about reaching a particular destination. It is an easy place to spend a few hours walking through the San Jacinto Mountains without committing to a steep climb or an all-day hike.
After returning to Humber Park, we followed one of our usual Idyllwild traditions and stopped in town for a cheeseburger and a cold beer at the Lumber Mill.
Idyllwild remains one of our favorite mountain escapes in Southern California. Between the forest trails, campgrounds, rock formations, and small mountain town, it is an easy place to return to whenever we need some cooler air and time among the trees.
