PS - Hike: Suicide Rock via Deer Springs Trail

The Mount San Jacinto via Deer Springs trail offers great views of Strawberry Valley, countless streams, and of course the lovely San Jacinto Mountains. This beautiful and relatively easy, but very uphill, hike through the lush wonders of the San Jacintos will have users enjoying every minute of the landscape, views, flora, and fauna. Suicide Rock is a great place to peer over the edge and contemplate the beauty of life. You can also wonder what life might have been like for the Cahuilla version of Romeo and Juliet, which legends says ended their lives here.

• Meet location: Denny's, 69050 Hwy 111, Cathedral City at 7:30 AM. Map click here. (please note: the registration form for some cites Hunter's as the meet up location, this is NOT correct, we will be meeting at Denny's in Cathedral City as noted above.)

• Trail length: 7 mi. (4.5hr)
  
• Trailhead elevation: 5,574 ft.
  
• Elevation gain/loss: 1,866 ft. up to 7,440 ft.
  
• Terrain: dirt, rocky trail
  
• Difficulty: moderate+ due to altitude/steady elevation gain, and distance. You will need to be in good physical condition for this hike.
  
• Bring Ten Essentials (click here), water (2 to 3 liters recommended), lunch and snacks, insect repellent, sun screen, layered clothing, sturdy hiking footwear with good tread is required; trekking poles may be helpful. Carry Emergency Contact Information (ICE). 
  

Trail Description: Deer Springs Trail starts approximately 1 mile off of Hwy 243 north of Idyllwild. Beginning at an elevation of 5,574 ft., the trail climbs 1,866 ft. through diverse forests from lifeless trees and scrub at the bottom, crossing a spring stream and wandering through spiky coulter pines, western red cedar, madrones, Jeffrey and sugar pines before reaching the bare rock at the top. Limited parking is available off of Hwy 243 at the trailhead, additional parking is also available at Mt. San Jacinto State Park for a fee.

Contact Hike Leader: Tom W.

Co-Leader:  Jeff M.

Carpooling is encouraged and may be available if offered by driver. You are responsible for arranging you own transportation or ride share. Arrive a few minutes early at the meeting site for briefing and transportation coordinated by participants.

Weather Policy: predictions this year (2024) indicate the possibility of snow on this route. Inclement weather cancels; email notice will be sent the day prior in that event.