Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail • One-way distance = 38 miles; Elevation gain in feet = 4,000 • Strenuous • Forest Service Permit Required • Dogs: check with local Ranger Station • Highway 74, 1 mile east of Highway 371 to Fuller Ridge Trail at Black Mountain Road

Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail • One-way distance = 2.6 miles • Easy • Dogs on leash OK • Humber Park to Tahquitz View Drive

Fuller Ridge Trail • One-way distance = 7.5 miles; Elevation gain in feet = 3,000 • Strenuous • Forest Service or State Park Permit Required • Black Mountain Road off Highway 243 to San Jacinto Peak

Seven Pines Trail • One-way distance = 4 miles; Elevation gain in feet = 2,600 • Moderate • Forest Service or State Park Permit Required • Dark Canyon Road off Highway 243 to Deer Springs

Marion Mountain Trail • One-way distance = 5.9 miles; Elevation gain in feet = 4,400 • Strenuous • Forest Service or State Park Permit Required • Fern Basin Road off Highway 243 to San Jacinto Peak

Devil’s Slide Trail • One-way distance = 2.5 miles; Elevation gain in feet = 1,700 • Moderate • Forest Service Permit Required • Dogs on leash OK • Humber Park to Saddle Junction

Deer Springs Trail • One-way distance = 3.3 miles; Elevation gain in feet = 1,700 • Moderate • Forest Service Permit Required • Highway 243, 1 mile north of Idyllwild to Suicide Rock

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway • One-way distance = 1.7 miles; Elevation gain in feet = 700 • Easy • State Park Permit Required • Tramway Terminal to Round Valley

South Ridge Trail • One-way distance = 4 miles; Elevation gain in feet = 3,600; Strenuous • Dogs on leash OK • Tahquitz View Dr. to Tahquitz Rock.

ROCK CLIMBING

Tahquitz is California’s biggest and most famous rock, enticing climbers from all over the world.

Check out this link for more information on where to go and how to prepare.

U.S. Forest Service

54270 Pine Crest Ave. (at Hwy. 243), (909) 382-2921 (voice)
(951) 659-5748 (TTY)

Mt. San Jacinto State Park
25905 Highway 243, Idyllwild
(951) 659-2607

Thank you Idyllwild Visitor Center for the Info https://idyllwildvisitorscenter.com/outdoors/

Licenses are required for anglers ages 16 and over with a daily bag limit of five trout during the year-round season. One-year licenses are available to California residents at Village Hardware and Lake Hemet Market. Visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/ for 2015 license rates and free fishing days throughout California.

Equipment and bait may be purchased at Lake Hemet Market, Pine Cove Market and Village Hardware. Fairway Market and Forest Lumber also stock some supplies.

LAKE HEMET

Lake Hemet is stocked throughout most of the year with rainbow trout but natural channel catfish, big-mouth bass and bluegill also provide good sport fishing. It is about 4 miles south of Mountain Center on Highway 74. It is owned and operated by the Lake Hemet Municipal Water District.

Public recreation areas are on the lake’s shores. The Forest Service maintains a picnic area for day use along the north shore, the water district on the other shores. The water district also owns and operates Lake Hemet Campground. Splash & Play Water Park is open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-September. Call (951) 659-2680.

LAKE FULMOR

About 10 miles north of Idyllwild on Highway 243, Lake Fulmor is stocked with trout from spring through summer. The 2-acre lake occasionally freezes over in winter. A parking area is across the highway from the lake so use caution when crossing to and from the lake.

STRAWBERRY CREEK

Strawberry Creek is the only stream where fishing is allowed in the San Jacinto Mountains. California Department of Fish and Game no longer stocks fish in other creeks because the streams are suitable habitat for a protected species, the mountain yellow-legged frog.

THOUSAND TRAILS

Thousand Trails’ seasonal fishing pond is stocked with tilapia, bluegill and catfish.  Fishing permits are $10 and free for ages 6 and under with an adult permit. Equipment and bait may be purchased at the store. Fish cleaning station located at the pond. Picnic tables and barbecues available. Call 951-659-4097 for more information.

Load up your bike and hit the trails, or rent a bike from one of the local shops like Idywildrides or NomandVentures at their Idyllwild location.

Idyllwild-area Mountain Bike Trails

Coyote Run: Closed until further notice. Beginning at the north end of Hurkey Creek County Park and ending at the waterfalls on Hurkey Creek, this easy and scenic ride is about two miles on a dirt road closed to motor vehicles. Parking is available at the day-use area within the Hurkey Creek Campground or outside the park.

Fobes Ranch Road and Spurs: This trail s located three miles south of Lake Hemet on Highway 74 in Garner Valley. The roads are easy to moderate and offer more than two miles of mountain bike riding.

May Valley Trail System: May Valley road is reopened after the fire. Some trails at the top and bottom of the road are also reopened.

The Hub Trail System: This winding trail system incorporates great views of Alvin Meadow and the Grotto. Trails climb from behind Idyllwild Arts up toward Pine Cove. Moderate to challenging.

Thomas Mountain and Ramona Trail: This challenging 17-mile loop is considered one of the best rides in the area. It begins one mile south of Lake Hemet on Highway 74, six miles north of the junction with Highway 371. The dirt road ascends from an elevation of 4,500 feet to more than 8,700 feet in 13 miles to Thomas Mountain Peak, offering far-reaching views of Anza and San Diego below.

24-hour Loop: Closed until futher notice. Starting and ending at Hurkey Creek County Park, this challenging ride starts with a tough climb up to Keen Summit, traverses through Johnson Meadow and features a fast and flowy descent through chaparral to complete the 11-mile loop. Hurkey Creek day use fees apply.

Other Trails: Pinyon Loop, South Ridge Trail and Webster Trail.

IDYLLWILD NATURE CENTER

25225 Highway 243 • (951) 659-3850
Explore 4.5 miles of hiking trails. Enjoy a family picnic. Stop in the museum and discover live animals, native culture, local & natural history, and a nature store.

The mountain gets incredible white fluffy snow in the winter, here are some fun things to do to enjoy the powder.

Check this link to see real time weather conditions. The mountain experiences all weather all year round, even when it’s sunny in LA, it could be raining up here. Be sure to be prepared before you come, check your routes and the weather.