Mt. San Jacinto Peak Hike via Deer Springs Trail Guide

And then you’ll see the trail narrow off to the right. Hike right and start climbing.

At the top of the hill, make the left onto the wide dirt road.

Look for the big trail leaving the east side of the parking area.

Aside from a few minor undulations, you’re basically going uphill for 10 miles and then downhill for 10 miles. You have about 5000+ of climbing from the trailhead, which is at about 5620 feet.

The trail goes up and down Deer Springs Trail, does a loop to the summit, and then descends along scenic Wellman’s Divide. The route is set up to maximize great views.

There’s a parking lot at the trailhead for about a dozen cars. If you get here at sunrise you’ll always find a spot. Later in the day it fills up. The shorter hike to Suicide Rock is popular and this lot serves that as well. When it’s busy some people park

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Unless you’ve done this hike before and are familiar with the conditions, I’d stay away if there is snow on the mountain, which can make the trail very hard to follow. If there is snow, you may need micro-spikes.

In the spring and early summer you can usually find some streams and water sources running. As always, I’d filter the water to make sure that you don’t get anything nasty.

There’s a parking lot at the trailhead for about a dozen cars. If you get here at sunrise you’ll always find a spot. Later in the day it fills up. The shorter hike to Suicide Rock is popular and this lot serves that as well. When it’s busy some people park

Fill out a normal permit for the Deer Springs Trail. Put the white copy in the box and the yellow copy in your pocket. A ranger might ask to see it on the trail. For entry and exit trail, put ‘Deer Springs.’

The permits are in a kiosk outside of the station on the left, and are available 24/7.

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