calipeaks.com

Devil's Slide to Wellman Divide

Riverside · Managed by Mount San Jacinto State Park (California State Parks) · Region: San Jacinto Mountains
Difficulty 38/100 · Moderateout and back#pct#idyllwild#ridge#10ers
Distance
10.6 mi
Total gain
3,300 ft
Net gain
3,300 ft
Net loss
3,300 ft
Elevation
6,522–9,685 ft
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires prohibited

Overview

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 the desert escarpment. The classic first-day camp on the way to San Jacinto's summit.

Highlights

  • Wellman's Cienega's spring-fed meadow near the divide
  • The PCT corridor with views into Palm Springs' desert
  • Little Round Valley nearby for a second camp
  • A perfect overnight for acclimating before a summit push

How hard is Devil's Slide to Wellman Divide?

CaliPeaks rates this route 38/100 (Moderate). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 3,300 ft puts this trip at 28% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 10.6 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 9,685 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 2 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Humber Park Trailhead (Devil's Slide) (6,522 ft) · parking: Humber Park at the end of Fern Valley Road, Idyllwild
  • Water: Seasonal springs near Wellman's Cienega and Little Round Valley; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Idyllwild has full services.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Stove required: yes — no fires possible on this route

Permits

  • Agency: Mount San Jacinto State Park (California State Parks)
  • Reserve or apply on parks.ca.gov
  • Quota: Primitive wilderness campgrounds — camping permit $5 per person.
  • Reservation window: Permits issued at the Idyllwild Ranger Station; wilderness sites are not reservable.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires prohibited. Campfires are prohibited in the state wilderness. Only portable stoves with an on/off switch are permitted. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: June, July, August, September, October.

Snow: Usually snow-free by June; traction recommended in shoulder seasons.

Heat: Warm on the lower switchbacks.

Bugs: Minimal.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • 3,300 feet of climbing in 5.3 miles
  • Water is seasonal — confirm springs before relying on them
  • Stoves only; no campfires in the wilderness

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Hiking Trails — Mount San Jacinto State Park. California State Parks. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30375. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Devil's Slide Trail to Wellman Divide (10.6 mi round trip, 3,300 ft elevation gain), rated Very Strenuous.
  3. Mount San Jacinto State Park. California State Parks. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=636. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Wilderness camping permit ($5/person), campfire prohibition and stove rule, dogs prohibited.
  4. San Jacinto Peak. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jacinto_Peak. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Summit elevation (10,834 ft) and PCT corridor context.