Details
June 21st-22nd, 2025 – San Jacinto Wilderness one night backpack to Hidden Lake and Tahquitz peak.
16 miles total and 4,700′ gain over both days. The camp will be a remote site in the Skunk cabbage area.
This is the first of four training hikes for the High Sierra Trail trek in September. (Giant Forest to Mount whitney, September 20th to October 4th. Hiking Days September 22nd to October 2nd or 3rd.) Priority will be given to those interested in the HST trip, but all training hikes are open to the general group if space permits.
The pace of the HST trip will be modest. The intent is to enjoy the experience rather than to race each other to Mount Whitney.
Meet at 7:00 am at Humber Park. (Devil’s slide trailhead.) Bring an adventure pass
Add yourself to the waitlist and I will move you to going in late May once I receive feedback on the High Sierra Trail participation. There is a 12-person limit for this backpack.
The plan. Hike the Devil’s slide trail to Saddle junction (8000ft) and take the willow creek trail, past our Saturday camp site and on to Hidden Lake and Desert View (8800 ft) in the State wilderness. (No dogs allowed in the State wilderness.) After a break at desert view, we will retrace our steps back to our campsite in the Skunk Cabbage area. (8100 ft)
Sunday we will go back to saddle junction and follow the PCT/South Ridge trail above Lily Rock and over to a fire tower at Tahquitz Peak. (8900 ft) We will then retrace our steps back to Saddle Junction and back down the Devil’s slide trail to the cars. (Probably about 5:00pm.)
Bring at least 3 liters of water and a water filter/Treatment pills, enough food (Backpacking Dinner in camp) and snacks to sustain you on this endeavor. Your ten essentials are always required. Know your limits if you are sensitive to altitude. Turn around if needed.
Hike description: GPX files for Day 1 and Day 2 will be sent to participants in advance.
Map of the area, not showing route:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_br_lat=33.76061131584278&b_br_lng=-116.62368248909098&b_tl_lat=33.798442064857625&b_tl_lng=-116.7032307989143
DISCLAIMER: Hike at your own risk. Be responsible for yourself and your safety. Make good decisions. With any trip, things can change, reservations can get lost, the unexpected can happen. A go-with-the-flow attitude is always a good thing, and most importantly, let’s all have fun! Make sure you are in good enough physical shape for the distance, elevation changes, and terrain. The hike leaders in this group aren’t professional hike leaders. By signing up for these events, you agree not to hold the Meetup organizers responsible for whatever happens to you on these events. The hiking group does not certify the expertise of the organizers, the event or assistant organizers (hike leaders) and…We are NOT responsible for any possible losses, injuries, or death.
