Let's Hike: Tahquitz Peak on Devil's Slide Trail
If you have ever visited Idyllwild, California its pretty much guaranteed you’ve heard of Tahquitz Rock also known as Lily Rock. This granite rock looms large above the town and is known for its great rock climbing. The mountain peak behind it, known as Tahquitz Peak, is also one of the most popular hikes in the San Bernardino National Forest.
A few things to know before planning to do this hike. The parking lot is known as Humber Park, an Adventure Pass or National Parks Pass is required to park here. You will also need a permit - one is required to hike this trail. You can get a parking pass and hiking permit at the Ranger Station in Idyllwild. If you are hiking on a weekend during the summer there may be a limit on the amount of permits given out because it’s such a popular trail. Plan ahead!
The details of this particular hike from Humber Park on Devil’s Slide Trail to the Fire Lookout:
Total Distance: 8.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,350 feet total
Highest Elevation: 8,846
Leaving from Humber Park you start climbing immediately. This hike is mostly all uphill to the top, and then all down hill all the way back down! There’s a few brief moments where the trail flattens out, but with 2,300+ feet of elevation to be climbed, there’s a lot of uphill! Luckily the trail is cut with a lot of switch backs and very well maintained which makes the climb more manageable. We brought our trekking poles knowing that this, and we were grateful to have them going up and coming back down!
After 2.5 miles of climbing you’ll come to Saddle Junction. This is a beautiful spot to pause and catch your breath before continuing on up! There’s a few different trails at this junction, but all should be well marked, make sure to take the PCT marked trail (a hard right) to continue to the Lookout.
This is where the trail slows its climb and isn’t as steep as the initial Devil’s Slide Trail. As you continue on the terrain will change opening up with more rocks and less trees. You’ll come upon a sign when you reach Chinquapin Flat and you’ll want to leave the PCT and continue on to Tahquitz Peak Lookout. This portion of the trail will cut around the peak and take you up to the fire lookout.
The Fire Lookout was built in 1937 and is the highest lookout in the San Bernardino Mountains. It’s staffed by volunteers that hike up and stay in the lookout. We met a nice lady that had been up there for a few nights already and had been volunteering for over 10 years. We walking around the lookout for a bit taking in the views and some lunch before make the trip back down.
You can turn this hike into a loop but continueing down South Ridge Trail eventually leading you to the Ernie Maxwell Trail and back to Humber Park. That loop is significantly longer and we decided to return the way we came.
The hike down, like most peak hikes, was much quicker. We enjoyed that post peak thrill and it carried us back down the hill through the trees and back to Humber Park. As always, when you go on a big hike in a distant town, go get that post hike meal in the town! Idyllwild has some great little restaurants, and that burger and fries and post hike beer were delicious!
