| Description of Trails |
| |
| Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail - This
easy, scenic, 2.6 mile hike leaves from Fern Valley Road,
just before Humber Park. Beginning at 6100 ft. and
crossing streams along the way, it descends 600 ft. it is
a good walk for beginning botanists; many different
species of trees can be found along the way. |
| Palm Canyon Trail (4E01) - This
trail starts off of Hwy. 74, west of the Pinyon Flat
Campground. It heads north, descending the length of Palm
Canyon to Palm Springs. The distance from Hwy 74, north,
to the Forest Service boundary is 9 miles. You will need
written permission from the Agua Caliente Tribal Council
to hike certain portions of Palm Canyon Trail that
crosses tribal lands (call 619-325-5673) |
| Cahuilla Mountain Trail (2E45) -
Moderately difficult, the 2.5 mile trail begins at
Cahuilla Saddle, elevation 4480 ft., on Forest road 6S22
in Anza. It then proceeds up the northeast slope through
thickets of chaparral, Live Oak, and Jeffrey pine. From
the 5604 ft. summit are views of the area that Juan
Bautista de Anza travelled though on his expedition in
1776. This trail passes through a Research Natural Area
containing ecosystems used for research and study
purposes. |
| Webster Trail (2E16) - Beginning on
Forest road 5S10 this 2.5 mile, strenuous trail descends
west to the North Fork of the San Jacinto River. Jeffrey
pines border the start of the Webster Trail which
proceeds over a ridge, passes through caparral, and
terminates in streamside willows, offering excellent
views of the San Jacinto and Hemet Valleys. Beginning
elevation is 5400 ft. with an 1800 ft. elevation change. |
| South Fork Trail (2E17)B - This
mile moderately strenuous trail descends from Hwy. 74,
trailhead elevation 3800 ft., to the South Fork of the
San Jacinto River. It then ascends to 4600 ft. at Rouse
Ridge Road (5S15). Park at the Caltrans cinder bin
turnout on Hwy. 74, west of Mountain Center. The trail
provides access to fishing at the River. |
| Black Mountain Trail (2E35) - This
3.6 mile, moderately strenuous hike leaves from Hwy. 243,
1.3 miles south of the Vista Grande Fire Station. The
trail begins in chaparral at 4480 ft. and ends on the
forested slopes of Black Mountain, elevation 7772 ft.
There are excellent views of the Banning Pass and Mt. San
Gorgonio. This trail passes through a Research Natural
Area containg ecosystems used for research and study
purposes |
| Ramona Trail (3E26) - This
moderatae, 3 mile trail climbs 1500 ft., offering views
of Garner Valley. Starting at 4400 ft., the hike ascends
to Toolbox Spring on Thomas Mountain Road (6S13).
Trailhead sign is about 3.5 miles south of Lake Hemet on
Hwy. 74. |
| Fobes Trail (4E02) - This is a
moderate hike, with views, leaving Garner Valley from
Fobes Ranch Road (6S05). The 1.5 mile trail winds through
chaparral and oaks to intersect with the Pacific Crest
Trail, on the pine-covered Desert Divide, south of
Spitler Peak and north of Palm View Peak. Beginning
elevation is 5200 ft. with a gain of 800 ft. |
| Cedar Spring Trail (4E17) - Follow
Morris Ranch Road in Garner Valley to the trailhead sign.
The trail travels through private property; please
respect private property rights and stay on the dirt
road. This is a moderate 3.2 mile hike, beginning at 5760
ft. The trail connects with the Palm View Peak at an
elevation of 6400 ft. To Cedar Spring, take the branch
trail off the PCT northeast for one mile. |
| Pacific Crest Trail - The Pacific
Crest Trail (PCT) extends 2,600 miles from Mexico to
Canada. Although a few marathon hikers have travelled the
length in one trip, most hike the trail in sections. The
San Jacinto District contains 55 miles of the PCT. It
begins 1/4 mile east of the junction of state Highways
371 and 74 in Garner Valley; it passes through the
wilderness and exits north of Cabazon Peak near
Interstate 10 in the desert near Palm Springs. A hiking
permit is required for travel through the wilderness
section. |
