Backpacking in San Jacinto Mountains
9 documented trips · 32,100 total feet of climbing across all routes
San Jacinto Mountains at a glance
CaliPeaks documents 9 backpacking routes in San Jacinto Mountains, covering 97.6 miles of trail and 32,100 feet of cumulative climbing. Routes range from 4 mi (Round Valley Loop) to 21 mi (Cactus to Clouds), between 6,522 and 11,132 feet of elevation. The gentlest climbing is on Round Valley Loop at 600 feet of total gain.
The area is managed by Mount San Jacinto State Park (California State Parks). Wilderness permits are issued by Mount San Jacinto State Park (California State Parks) — check each trip page for quota and reservation windows. The most-recommended months across these routes are June, September, October.
Round Valley Loop
The Round Valley Loop circles San Jacinto's most famous alpine meadow: 4 miles from the Long Valley tram station with just 600 feet of climb…
Round Valley (Mt San Jacinto via Tram)
Round Valley Meadow is Southern California's easiest alpine camp: ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to 8,400 feet, then walk 2.1 gentle m…
Wellman Divide via Long Valley
Wellman Divide is the tram side's best high-country walk: 6.2 miles round trip from Long Valley to a 9,900-foot divide on the PCT, with the …
Deer Springs Trail to Suicide Rock
Suicide Rock is Idyllwild's famous granite face — a 7,528-foot overlook with a notorious name and an even better view. The Deer Springs Trai…
Devil's Slide to Wellman Divide
Wellman Divide is the PCT's great divide above Idyllwild: 5.3 miles up the Devil's Slide Trail to a 9,900-foot saddle between the peak and t…
Marion Mountain Trail to San Jacinto Peak
The Marion Mountain Trail is the shortest route from Idyllwild to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains: 5.3 miles and 4,500 feet of relentle…
Devil's Slide to San Jacinto Peak
The Devil's Slide Trail is the classic Idyllwild route to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains: 8 miles and 4,500 feet of climbing from Humb…
Deer Springs Trail to San Jacinto Peak
The Deer Springs Trail is the grand route from Idyllwild to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains: 9.2 miles and 5,300 feet of climbing throu…
Cactus to Clouds
Cactus to Clouds is the biggest vertical climb in the contiguous United States by trail: 21 miles and over 10,000 feet from the Palm Springs…