Recreation in Wild Places

Southern California wilderness is the perfect place for outdoor adventure. Hiking, jogging, camping, backpacking, bird watching, rock climbing, hunting, fishing, and horse riding opportunities abound in the proposed wilderness around Riverside County. What better way to escape the hectic nature of everyday life than with a quick hike or a short weekend backpacking or camping trip?

The proposed wilderness areas are easily accessible from Los Angeles and San Diego, and are less than an hour drive from Hemet, Murrieta, and the Coachella Valley communities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Indio.

Below you will find information on the hiking, backpacking, and camping trips we are running, as well as past trips. You will also find information and directions for hiking and jogging trails, camping areas, and equestrian trails that you can take advantage of on your own.

Organized Outings

We regularly lead hikes to proposed wilderness areas, ranging from trips to see the spring wildflower bloom in Joshua Tree, to family-oriented hikes in South Fork San Jacinto, to bushwhacking expeditions in Beauty Mountain. We lead both public hikes and outings designed for specific groups and organizations. Even if you've just got a group of friends that wants to get out hiking for the day, we can pull something together for you. So join us on a public hike if we have any scheduled below, or contact us and request an organized hike!

May 10 - Cahuilla Mountain

Leader: Shauli
Date and time: Saturday, May 10, 7:30 AM
Meeting place: Paloma de Sol Park, ( behind Home Depot on Rt. 79)
Driving: 45 minutes one way, some dirt roads.
Hiking time: (+-) 5 hours.
Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation gain and loss: 1,200 feet.
Level of difficulty: Moderate, all trail hiking.
Equipment: Hiking boots, lunch and a snack, 3 liters water, hat, sunscreen. Dress in layers for unpredictable spring weather

Starting near Juan Diego Flats, this beautiful trail will take us through chamise dominated chaparral, open meadows, and mature black oak forest to the 5,635 feet peak. Overlooking Anza Valley, we will enjoy spectacular views of the San Jacinto, Santa Rosa, Beauty and Palomar Mountains. With a few exceptions, the trail is well graded. The average pace of one mile/hour will give us time to watch the bird activity and enjoy the views, so bring your binoculars and camera! Children (with some hiking experience, and a parent) are welcome!

For more information contact Shauli Rosen-Rager at (951) 767-2203 or shauli@pollybutte.net.

Recent Outings

April 27 - Beauty Mountain Hike

On Sunday April 27th, the Desert and Mountain Wilderness Campaign led a hike to the Beauty Mountain Proposed Wilderness area. The five hour hike started with bird watching in the riparian area along the northern border of the proposed wilderness. From there the leader, Shauli, led hikers into a dry creek bed, weaving among water smoothed boulders and enjoying the mature Redshank dominated chaparral along the banks. After stopping at a small seasonal spring, the group ascended Wire Hill for a view of the northern slopes of Beauty Mountain, Anza Valley and Cahuilla Mountain.

Our next hike is scheduled for May 10th and all are invited. For more information contact Shauli Rosen-Rager at (951) 767-2203 or shauli@pollybutte.net.

Hikes on Your Own

Fuller Mill Creek

Webster Trail

Description:

A strenuous descent to the banks of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River, the Webster Trail offers unmatched views of the San Jacinto and Hemet Valleys.

Named for David G. Webster, a pioneer rancher who drove his cattle to pasture along the path in the 1870s and 1880s, the trail begins high on the San Jacinto peak. It leads hikers through forests of Jefferson pines and live oaks and patches of chaparral.

The trail finally descends steeply, veers south, and deposits hikers on the edge of the river, where they can enjoy the lush vegetation and a quiet moment (or picnic) by the water.

Due to the steep incline, the return trip, though just as beautiful, tends to be much more arduous.

Length: 2.5 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Difficult

Elevation: Begin at 5,400 feet and end at 3,600 feet

Trail Number: 2E16

Trailhead:

The trailhead is approximately 10 minutes from Idyllwild, 30 minutes from Hemet, and one hour from Palm Springs.

From Pine Cove: From the junction of CA-243 and McGovern Road, take McGovern Road west for half a mile. Take a left onto Forest Service Road 5S10. The trailhead is on the right in approximately half a mile.

South Fork Trail

Description:

The moderately strenuous South Fork Trail begins off of Highway 74. A brief climb takes you into the adjacent valley where the trail meanders along the valley wall, rising to an elevation of 4,200 feet. Along the way you will pass through dense chaparral as you drop to the South Fork of the San Jacinto River below.

The canyon contains a number of sheltering groves of big-cone Douglas fir trees and the river supports thriving forests of willow, cottonwood and other hardwoods. This rich streamside forest is home to mountain lion, mule deer, mountain quail and even an occasional bald eagle. The South Fork San Jacinto River is also the watershed for the communities of Hemet Valley.

After a rest next to the river, the trail will then take you up the opposing valley wall to reach the Rouse Ridge route at an elevation of 4,600 feet. From here there are expansive views of the surrounding mountain ranges and on a clear day views of the Hemet Valley far to the east.

Length: 4.5 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation: Begin at 3,800 feet and end at 4,600 feet

Trail Number: 2E17

Trailhead:

The trailhead is approximately 15 minutes from Idyllwild, 30 minutes from Hemet, and one hour from Murrieta and Coachella Valley cities such as Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Indio, and Palm Desert.

From Palm Desert: From the junction of HWY 111 and CA-74, take CA-74 west for 30 miles. End at the large turnout with Cal Trans cinder bins on the left.

From Hemet: From the Junction of State Street and Florida Avenue, take Florida Ave / CA-74 east for 16 miles. End at the large turnout with Cal Trans cinder bins on the right.

From Mountain Center: From the junction of CS-243 and CA-74, take CA-74 west 2.7 miles. End at the large turnout with Cal Trans cinder bins on the left.

Cahuilla Mountain Trail

Description:

The scenic Cahuilla Mountain Trail begins at the Cahuilla Saddle, just off of Forest Road 622. The trail then proceeds up the northeast slope of the peak.

The trek leads hikers through dense thickets of chaparral, live oak and Jeffrey pine. Hikers will also pass through Research Natural Areas containing ecosystems used for research and study purposes that display a wind range of local flora.

The 5,604-foot summit that marks the trail’s end provides breathtaking views of the area that Juan Bautista de Anza traveled through on his expedition in 1776. The trail is ideal for hiking and horseback riding.

Length: 2.5 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation: Begin at 4,480 feet and end at 5,604 feet

Trail Number: 2E45

Trailhead:

The trailhead is approximately 30 minutes from Idyllwild and one hour from Hemet, Murrieta, and Coachella Valley cities such as Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Indio, and Palm Desert.

From Anza: From the junction of CA-371 and Cary Road, follow Cary Road north. After 1.9 miles, take a slight left onto Tripps Flat Road. After 1.8 miles, take a slight left onto Forest Service Route 7S04 / Juan Diego Flats Road. After 1 mile, turn right to continue on Route 7S04 / Juan Diego Flats Road. (Continuing straight would take you into a Forest Service Facility.) Continue up Route 7S04 / Juan Diego Flats Road for 1.5 miles until you reach a saddle with a large pullout on the right. The trail starts on the left of the road by the metal sign describing Cahuilla Mountain.