Tahquitz Peak

Description

Tahquitz Peak is located along the Desert Divide in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California. From the summit of this alpine beauty, views abound. To the north, Marion Mtn is seen across Tahquitz Valley. Palm Springs can be seen to the east along with the Santa Rosa mountains. Looking south on a clear day in the afternoon, you can see the Mt Palomar telescope dome glittering in the sunlight. Westerly vistas are of the Inland Empire, as well as San Gabriels.

The most direct route to this peak is up the South Ridge Trail; a more scenic ascent is via Devil's Slide from Humber Park. Along the way up you pass through Jefferey Pines, Live Oak, Fir and Lodgepole Pine.

THE LOOKOUT on the peak :-

Located within the popular San Jacinto Wilderness on the Idyllwild Ranger District, Tahquitz Peak Lookout is both an important fire detection facility and a hiking destination with expansive views of the Sonoran Desert to the east, and the Los Angeles basin to the west. It is a 20'enclosed timber tower with R514'x14' wooden cab. Built in 1937, it was the last active lookout on the San Bernardino National Forest when it was deactivated in 1993.

Tahquitz Peak LookoutRestored in 1998, it returned to service in October and is staffed seven days a week by Lookout Host volunteers. Tahquitz Peak lookout was the second highest lookout in California at 8828'. It is also the forest’s longest continuously operated station, serving some 77 years, and is the only lookout located inside a Wilderness area.

Thanks to Parag Ahire for this description.