Breathtaking Day Hikes in Idyllwild, California

Here is a Southern California vacation idea to get away from the crowded theme parks and casinos. Hiking the Southern California backcountry in Idyllwild, California lifts you above the deserts and into alpine forests soaring from a mile high to nearly 10,000 feet. Spend a day, or even a small part of a day, hiking in this part of the San Bernardino National Forest and you'll appreciate the extreme change in climate. We recently spent a weekend in Idyllwild and enjoyed 3 different hikes that were moderate and offered beautiful views of the valleys to the west and the majestic Tahquitz Peak near San Jacinto Mountain.

Deer Spring Trail

This trailhead is less than 1 mile west of Idyllwild off Highway 234, across from the Nature Center. On this hike, you begin a gradual climb on a wide path that's soft, free of loose rock but you have to watch the tree trunks criss-crossing beneath your feet. This is the rare type of trail in Southern California's rugged mountains where both a novice and experienced hiker can get the same enjoyment.

The trail takes you about 3 miles to Suicide Rock where, according to legend, an Indian brave and his lover jumped to their deaths when they weren't permitted to be engaged to each other.

Even if you only make it about 1 ½ miles, there is a beautiful rock vista offering a fantastic view of the valley stretching west to Hemet and a stunning view of Tahquitz Peak to the east.

The gradual incline allows hikers to get acclimated to the elevation gain. Sturdy running shoes are enough support for the relatively smooth trail.

The trail can connect you with the Pacific Crest Trail and, after about 10 miles, eventually take you to the top of the famous tram which connects Palm Springs with San Jacinto Mountain.

Devil Slide Trail

Tahquitz Peak towers above the beginning of this trail starting in Humber Park about 2 miles from Idyllwild's town center. You're immediately greeted by a sign welcoming you to the San Jacinto Wilderness and reminding you that permits are needed to explore the backcountry.

Then you begin a climb that's steeper than the Deer Springs Trail on a path that's more narrow. A hiker who wants a strenuous workout by walking at a fast pace will feel it in the legs and lungs. But a casual hiker can also take it slowly and remain comfortable. About 10 minutes to 15 minutes of walking lets you gaze to the west toward Hemet, seeing a vast sea of evergreens stretching below.

While the weather may be blistering in the Los Angeles area or nearby in Palm Springs this trail gets you closer to a Rocky Mountain feeling.

We hiked this in mid-April and made it to remaining patches of snow after winding only several times on switchbacks.

After an hour of moderately paced hiking, we reached an ice bridge on the trail. My granddaughter was nestled in my backpack so we decided to turn around rather than push on.

This trail has more loose rock than the Deer Springs trail but it is still navigable with sturdy running shoes, especially in the early going. I would recommend hiking boots for those who want to press on toward the summit and hike to the tram at San Jacinto, above Palm Springs.

Ernie Maxwell Trail

This trail that stays fairly level yet remains at an altitude above the town of Idyllwild was a pleasant surprise. I expected a rather boring walk from the trail head to Humber Park since on the map it looked like it cut through the backyards of residential homes. When I hike in the mountains, I enjoy being up high and getting a chance to look "out."

However, the trees and Manzanita bushes blocked the views of most homes and the trail was high enough to lift us above the town. We still had many places where we could see to the valleys below. The environment changed from desert to tree-covered shade while following the contour of the mountainside.

It gave me a feel for how Idyllwild is nestled in a canyon-like setting as the path led us more than 2 miles to Humber Park.

We crossed over a few streams and natural springs on our way.

It's especially a pleasant trail for families introducing young children to hiking and running shoes are fine the entire length of the trail.

A word of note: the trail head is about 1 ½ miles from town off Highway 243. However, the signs are easy to miss and we had to stop and ask directions before we reached a dirt road where the trail began.

While there are other trails out of Idyllwild, these three gave me a renewed appreciation for the beauty and diversity of Southern California's terrain.

Idyllwild is about a 2-hour drive east of Los Angeles and about 1 hour west of Palm Springs off Interstate 10 and Highway 243.