Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness for High-Quality Outdoor Recreation

Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is Mount to provide for the health, inspiration and John Muir once education of the people of California by helping San Jacinto to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological remarked that the view diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities from Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness for high-quality outdoor recreation. was “the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth.”

California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (951) 659-2607. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov

Mount San Jacinto State Park 25905 Highway 243 (mail: P.O. Box 308) Idyllwild, CA 92549 (951) 659-2607 www.parks.ca.gov/msjsp

© 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2018) W hen you enter Mount San Jacinto valley below. A range of hiking trails beckons State Park, you come into the heart of the those who are prepared to explore forests wilderness, high in the San Jacinto Mountains. interspersed by small meadows. This 14,000-acre park can be reached via For questions regarding the Palm Springs Highway 243 from Idyllwild or by tram from Aerial Tramway, please call (888) 515-8726 Palm Springs. Granite peaks, sub-alpine or visit their website at pstramway.com. forests, and mountain meadows offer the best You can also email your question(s) to opportunity to enjoy a primitive high-country [email protected]. experience south of the Sierra Nevada range. San Jacinto Peak — a giant, often snow- PARK HISTORy capped crag marked by great upthrusts of The Cahuilla, Native Californians, used the The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, one of weathered granite — rises 10,834 feet above area for seasonal hunting. They traversed the world’s largest and longest single-lift sea level. It is the highest peak in the San its wooded canyons and protected valleys, passenger tramways, carries passengers Jacinto Range and in the California State gathering food and other resources. Their 2.5 miles from the Valley Station in Chino Park System. trails still cross the mountain, and several Canyon to the Mountain Station, on the edge Several other peaks within the park exceed bedrock mortars can be seen in or near the of the Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness. 10,000 feet in elevation. Much of the rest of park. The mortars date back hundreds and After a lift of nearly 6,000 feet, visitors find the park, standing at more than 6,000 feet, is perhaps thousands of years, giving evidence themselves in a world quite different from the cool and comfortable in the summer. Average of long-term human habitation. summer temperatures during the day are in the 70s with nights dropping into the 50s. During the winter the ground is often snow covered and temperatures can range from the 40s during the day to single digits at night. From the Tramway Mountain Station, you can see the greens of Palm Springs golf courses, the agricultural areas in the Coachella Valley, and the windmill farm. The vistas from the park sweep into the desert hundreds of miles, extending southeast to the Salton Sea and beyond into the Imperial Valley. The northeast face of the San Jacinto Range plunges down 9,000 feet in less than four miles — among the steepest and most spectacular escarpments in North America. View of San Jacinto Range from San Gorgonio Pass When the California State Park System Natural Preserve. was established in 1927, a state park at San This classification Jacinto became a priority. The first 12,695 provides the highest acres for the park were deeded to the level of protection California State Park Commission in 1933 and possible to Hidden were opened to the public in 1937. Divide’s sensitive The aerial tramway was authorized by wildlife, plant California’s Legislature in 1945 and completed species, and in 1963. distinctive Steller’s jay Visitors to the park can now take a natural features. 15-minute tram ride and experience a series The park’s varied landscapes shelter white- of biotic communities; they range from headed woodpeckers, Steller’s jays, and desert scrub at the Valley Station to a mixed mountain chickadees. Noisy Clark’s nutcrackers conifer forest dotted with wildflowers at and red crossbills feed on the seeds of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway the Mountain Station. From Idyllwild, trails forest’s pine species — Jeffrey, sugar, and of varying difficulty travel through conifer lodgepole pines. European settlers at first used the high forests, past lush meadows, and across country much as the native people had, rocky outcrops into San Jacinto’s high RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES hunting the abundant deer. Later, loggers country wilderness. A short walk from the tram station takes began to harvest the hillsides of pine while The park became part of the 280,071- you into Long Valley, which has a ranger domestic sheep and cattle grazed the fragile acre Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains station, a picnic area, restrooms, a self- mountain meadows. National Monument in October of 2000. guided nature trail, and the Desert View Trail In 1897 President Grover Cleveland created The park’s Rustic Historic District had the overlooking Coachella Valley. the San Jacinto Forest Reserve to help contain honored distinction of being placed on the Snow normally covers the wilderness from and control these practices. The Reserve National Register of Historic Places in 2013. November through April. High winds and sub-freezing temperatures are common. became the San Jacinto Ranger District of San NATURAL HISTORy Bernardino National Forest in 1930. For current weather and trail conditions, Similar to the Sierra Nevada, the San Jacinto call (760) 327-0222. Mountains rest on a major fault block with a distinct westward tilt. The entire Camping San Jacinto region — bounded on the Developed campsites are available in west by the San Jacinto Fault and on Mount San Jacinto State Park at Idyllwild and the north and east by the San Andreas Stone Creek campgrounds. Reservations Fault — is seismically active and slowly are recommended; visit www.parks.ca.gov rising in elevation. or call (800) 444-7275 up to six months in In 2002, 255 acres of Mount San advance. Summer weekends fill quickly. Jacinto State Wilderness were Sites accommodate motor homes or trailers designated as the Hidden Divide up to 24 feet long. Winter camping demands preparation and good equipment. In the NO OPEN FIRES ARE San Bernardino National Forest, developed ALLOWED. Only camping campsites may be reserved by calling stoves with an on/off switch United States Forest Service (USFS) at are permitted. (877) 444-6777. Day Hiking Hike-in Camping The park’s extensive trail A Wilderness Camping Permit is required. system was designed to California State Parks and the USFS manage minimize the impact on the two wilderness areas in the San Jacinto scenic and wilderness values. Mountains. Camping permits must be Popular hikes start from obtained from the agency that administers either the town of Idyllwild or the area where you plan to camp. This permit the tram’s Mountain Station. serves as a hike-through pass within all state The park’s most popular Emergency shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps park and US Forest Service boundaries. For wilderness hike, a 4.5 mile located below San Jacinto Peak weekend camping in one of the four state loop takes you to Round wilderness campgrounds, obtaining a camping Valley where you can see an alpine meadow during the summer, when day-use permits permit in advance is highly recommended. and a historic ranger station built in the to enter the wilderness via Devil’s Slide Trail Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness permit 1930’s. You can also hike from Long can only be obtained from the USFS ranger applications are available at www.parks. Valley to San Jacinto Peak, a strenuous station in Idyllwild. ca.gov/msjsp. Allow at least two weeks before round trip of about 12 miles with a 2,434-foot your visit for valid permits to be issued and elevation gain. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES returned to you. For USFS camping info and All day hikers must have permits to enter Stone Creek Campground in Idyllwild has permits, visit www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf. the wilderness. Obtain day-use permits on accessible camping and a trail. Idyllwild Within the state wilderness boundaries, the day of your trip by visiting one of the Campground near headquarters has camping is permitted only in ranger stations shown on the map. These accessible camping and showers. Parking, designated campsites . permits are honored by both agencies except restrooms, and picnic areas are all accessible. Mountain Station has an accessible elevator and viewpoint. The wilderness area terrain is extremely steep and rugged. People with mobility issues may want to access the backcountry from Stone Creek. Accessibility is continually improving; for updates, call the park at (951) 659-2607 or visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. plants and prevent erosion by not making • Motor vehicles, bicycles, strollers, or using shortcuts. coolers, and any wheeled devices, except • Horses — Equestrians must pack wheelchairs or walkers, are prohibited in in weed-free feed; grazing in the meadows the uneven terrain of the state and is prohibited. USFS wildernesses. • Smoking — Smoking is permitted only in designated areas at the tram’s NEARBy STATE PARKS Mountain Station. At Idyllwild and Stone • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Creek, smoking is permitted only within 200 Palm Canyon Drive designated campsites. Borrego Springs 92004 • Hunting — The wilderness is a state game (760) 767-5311 refuge; possession of firearms, bows • Lake Perris State Recreation Area and arrows, slingshots, or other weapons 17801 Lake Perris Drive is prohibited. Perris 92571 • Dogs — Except for trained service (951) 940-5600 animals, all dogs are prohibited in the

Photo courtesy of Sean Hueber wilderness areas. • Fires — All fires are prohibited in the This park receives support in part Preserve plants and prevent wilderness areas. Camping stoves through a nonprofit organization. erosion by staying on trails. are permitted. For more information contact: Mt. San Jacinto Natural History Association PLEASE REMEMBER P.O. Box 1424 Palm Springs, CA 92262 • Caution — All natural and cultural features www.msjnha.org are protected by law and may not be disturbed or removed. • Permits — You must have a permit to enter the wilderness. If you are under the age of 18 you must be with a parent or guardian or have a signed consent to obtain the permit. • Litter — Pack out all trash. • Sanitation — In the state wilderness, use the pit toilets in the campgrounds. In USFS areas, bury human waste at least eight inches deep and at least 200 feet from the nearest drainage, trail, or camp. • Waste Water — Wash dishes and dispose of waste water at least 100 feet from any stream, spring, or faucet. • Trails — Please stay on trails. Help preserve Weather can be unpredictable; bring warm clothing layers to prepare for sudden changes. 4000 6000 Legend

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