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| Home on the trails! |
I have always felt at home in the great out doors and when I go hiking at San Jacinto State Park it feels like
I am at home. It can be a rough and tumble kind of place where getting beat up by the elements and the merciless terrain scare many people away. But I say give it a shot! The only thing you'll loose out on is an adventure!
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| The Junction/ Fork in the Road. |
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| The Trail Head is Across from Me! |
So here's a trail that I have had my eye on for almost a decade and I finally did it. Deer Springs trail to Suicide Rock (a.k.a. a gigantic slab of granite rock similar to Half Dome in Yosemite). The trailhead is directly across the Idyllwild nature center parking lot ($2/person to park). Before you start make sure you have the free hiking permit with you that you can get at the Ranger Station in town just down the road. These trails are busy during peak seasons so go early or late to be sure you'll get one for the trail you want.
This trail was very busy and I passed many different types of people along the way so it's not the most difficult trail, but there are some spots that are strenuous. Water and snacks helped me through those and I wished that I had brought my walking sticks. This is the kind of trail that you enjoy for the trail not the summit. From the top your views are not that different from the ones that you get on the trail and I walked across a stream a few times and enjoyed small pools beside the path. So there is no need to reach the top to get something out of this hike. Enjoy the journey and views along the way and have fun! Here I am goofing off with the trees and just overall enjoying the fresh air.
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| Having fun with nature. |
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| Show some love! |
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| SNOW!!! I HATE SNOW! But I pressed on anyway. |
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I highly recommend bringing a camera! Don't leave home without it! Also, always pack a backpack with supplies like a warm top to throw on, because I ran into snow! I didn't need snow shoes so I was lucky, but it is not uncommon to find snow at 6,000-7,000" in the spring here. Also, sunblock is essential at higher elevations since you're closer to the sun and there is very little shade when you get to the top. I'm wearing clothes with sun protection as well and that helps along with a (must have) hat. I'll write a blog soon about how I stay looking "cute" or less like a rug rat out on the trail for all of the Betty's reading this, but really you don't need much to keep it together on this hike. There is plenty of shade and it wasn't as dusty as other trails in the area like Devil's Slide Trail in Humber Park :p. I was a little tired when I reached the top, but I was also elated and I'm sure that if you give this trail a chance then you'll have a memorable experience as well. See ya on the trails hikers!
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| Just resting...I'm a-o-k...really. |
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| Overall a great view! |
