Deer Springs Trail to Suicide Rock

Date: June 22, 2012
Time: 4 Hours, 20 minLength: 6.60 MilesLocation: IdyllwildElevation: 7,430ftWeather: 66-79°
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: The trailhead for this hike is located off of Highway 243 in Idyllwild.  If you are heading northwest from Highway 74, you will see the turnout for parking about a mile passed the ranger station.  The turnout is just passed the Idyllwild Nature Center, you can park in either location but they both require a $5 permit for the day.  Idyllwild normally requires you to purchase a parking permit and check in with the ranger station before hiking.  They do have annual passes that you can buy for $30 online, or at your local Big 5 Sporting Goods.There are two starting points for the Deer Springs trailhead.  You can either start from the parking area, or walk up the street a bit to the original trailhead.  The only major difference is from the parking area it is much steeper.I brought 50oz of water and 4 energy bars on the hike.  When I finished the hike I had 1 energy bar and 10oz of water.  I started from the parking lot, but when I finished  I went to the original trailhead so the GPS will show you both routes.Coming up from the parking area is steep, but once you’re on the trail, it’s not that bad.Like most trails in Idyllwild, it is well marked with a good deal of foot traffic.  You will be going uphill on your way to Suicide Rock, so there are many switchbacks.There is a lookout at .64 miles.It doesn’t have the best view, but if your looking for a break I would do it here.There are a few spots like this one where people have wondered off the trail, so be sure to take the more traveled route.  Here you will go left.This is a very nice trail that is doable during an early summer morning.  I didn’t see many wildflowers this late in the year, and the majority of water in the creek was scarce, until higher elevation.I doubt you will miss it, but if you had your head down focused on hiking it could happen.  Be sure to turn right here towards Suicide Rock.There is a sign with all the routes and the mileage to help direct you.Next you will take a left through this tree, there is a good amount of foot traffic going straight so stay left. There are plenty of good views looking at Devils slide on your way up to the point.Finally crossed water at 7,000ft, about 2.5 miles into the hike.It doesn’t look like much, but depending on the time of year, this spot could be hard to cross without getting wet.Next you will see the San Jacinto Wilderness San Bernardino National Forest border sign, and the Mt. San Jacinto State park Wilderness border sign.  At this point you have about .5 miles to the top.Once you reach the top be sure to walk to the Suicide point, it has the best view.There will most likely be people up here, but there are plenty of places to sit.On a clear day the views are really amazing.Once you get your fill of the view just head down the way you came up and have a safe drive home.I have attached an Idyllwild trail map for you to print, click the image to enlarge.If you have any questions regarding this hike, or would like the GPS Track file, please contact me for more information.

Barker Dam Loop

Date: April 3, 2012
Time: 45 min
Length: 1.31 Miles
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Elevation: 4,317ft
Weather: 76-89°
Difficulty: Easy

Description: The hike is a very nice short loop that can be completed late in the day, or even after an earlier hike.  I started this hike with 25oz of water and 1 energy bar.  I ended the hike with 15oz of water and 1 energy bar.  The trailhead begins from the Barker Dam Parking lot heading northwest.  There are two trailheads in the parking lot, the other is the Wall Street Mill.  Stay to the left of the restrooms heading northwest down Barker Dam Trail.  This is a loop so just after the wood and cable walkway about .15 miles you can take a left, I however continued straight going northwest on my loop.The trail is very well marked, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way.Arriving at the Dam you can clearly see the water level has dropped a great deal.There is still a large amount of water at the dam for the beginning of April.As you continue west on the trail, you will see the old watering hole just after the dam.  There is a path so you can walk down to it.After .9 miles you will see the Petroglyphs sign. It is not a long detour, you can almost see them from the trail, I would recommend heading over.Most of them are very easy to see. I did notice a few a little further back in the cubby.What most people don’t know, is if you continue back on the trail for about .1 miles there is a few more hidden behind some trees.This is the easiest one to spot from the trail.If you continue along that same rock face passed the two people, you will come to this scorpion looking Petroglyph.  Then just continue down the trail heading east for .31 miles and your back to the trail you started the loop on.  Go right heading southeast and you’ll be back at the parking lot.If you have any questions regarding this hike, or would like the GPS Track file, please contact me for more information.

Ryan Mountain Trail

Date: April 3, 2012
Time: 2.5 Hours
Length: 3 Miles
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Elevation: 5,413ft
Weather: 71-86’
Difficulty: Moderate

Description: I had a late start heading up the mountain so it was a little hot.  I brought 60oz of water and 4 energy bars.  When I finished the hike I left with 25oz of water and 1 energy bars.The trailhead is located off of Park Boulevard in Joshua Tree National Park and has a huge turnout with parking and restrooms.  The hike has a very moderate incline that starts out gradually up a few stairs.Like most hikes up a mountain, it increases it’s incline, but not by much and is still moderate all the way up.You will see the sign for sheep pass, be sure to continue to your right up Ryan Mountain.Don’t forget to stop and enjoy the views.The trail works it’s way around the first ridge and cuts up the pass to the second ridge.Once you’re out of the pass the trail becomes easy.  It takes you to the second ridge and then the peak.Like most Joshua Tree trails it is very well marked, I had no trouble reaching the top.Amazing views along the entire hike, but there is something to be said about a 360’ view like this one.On my way back down I ran into a herd of Bighorn Sheep.There were around 10 total, and they even had a few juveniles with them.They didn’t seem to mind posing for a few shots as I continued down the trail.If you have any questions regarding this hike, or would like the GPS Track file, please contact me for more information.