Beginner Backpack to Tahquitz Peak Lookout Register

Date and Time:
Sat, Jun 21, 2025; 7:00 AM (Pacific) - Sun, Jun 22, 2025  3:00 PM  (Pacific)

Organized By: Big Bear Group

Location: Humber Park, 24559 Fern Valley Rd, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Denise Allen
   ccnaallen@yahoo.com
   (909) 648-8038
Konstanze Burleson
   stanze42@yahoo.com
   (909) 291-5343

This will be a beginner backpacking trip in the San Jacinto Wilderness. We will stay overnight at a basecamp in Tahquitz Valley and will do an afternoon hike to the Tahquitz Peak Lookout. We will spend 1 night in the wilderness. No experience necessary, emphasis will be on trip preparation and gear discussions via Zoom meetings prior to the outing.

Day 1: Meet at the Humber Park Parking Area (Devils Slide Trailhead) at 6:30 AM. We will do a final gear check. Devil’s Slide Trail (3E05) ascends from Humber Park to Saddle Junction with many switchbacks and panoramic views. Starting at 6280 ft. the gain in elevation is 1700 ft. to Saddle Junction (7980 ft). From Saddle Junction, the trail leads to Tahquitz Valley and then onto Tahquitz Peak Lookout (8828 ft.)

The distance from the Trailhead to the Tahquitz Valley basecamp is about 3.5 miles with approx 2000’ of elevation gain. Our pace should be around 1 mile per hour (or less with breaks) which means we would arrive at our basecamp in the Chinquapin Zone by around 11 or 11:30am. We will setup camp and have lunch. Once we are settled we will day hike approximately 1.7 miles up to the Tahquitz Peak Lookout (8828'). After enjoying the views from the Peak we will return to our basecamp along the same route.  The rest of the afternoon will be for relaxing, reading, followed by dinner and hopefully some stargazing. 

I ask that your pack weights be no more than 25lbs and strongly recommend you try to keep your pack at around 20lbs which should be doable with only two days of food. 
 
Day 2: Enjoy breakfast, pack up camp and hike 3.5 miles down the Devils Slide Trail to the Humber Park parking area.

Bring:
Backpacking gear including: a appropriatly sized and fitted 60 liter (or smaller) backpack, a lightweight tent (3lb or less) with rainfly, sleeping pad, 30 degree or less sleeping bag, camp stove & fuel (may share), headlamp, base layers, down jacket, water filter, 2-freeze dried meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner, coffee/tea/hot cocoa) 2 lunches, trail snacks, electrolytes, water bottles for 3L (water will be available in Tahqutz Valley from Tahquitz springs, but the water must be filtered), sun protection, hiking poles, small day pack. Total pack weight should not exceed 25lbs. A detailed gear list will be sent to participants prior to the trip.
Extreme weather cancels (heat, rain, strong winds). 

Leaders: Denise Allen  ccnaallen@yahoo.com  909-648-8038 and Conny Burleson  stanze42@yahoo.com  909-291-5343

Level: Moderate(Beginner for Backpacking)

Signup Instructions: Please register online.

Bring: Backpacking gear including: a 60L Backpack, lightweight tent (3lb or less), sleeping pad, 30 degree or less sleeping bag, camp stove & fuel (may share), headlamp, layers, water filter, freeze-dried meals (1 breakfast, 1 dinner) 2 lunch items and trail snacks, water bottles for 3L (water available at Tahquitz Spring near Tahquitz Valley, however the water must be filtered), sun protection, hiking poles, small day pack. Total pack weight should NOT exceed 25lbs. A detailed gear list will be sent to participants prior to the trip.

Signup Restrictions: Phone interview required for trip confirmation! Please email ccnaallen@yahoo.com to set this up.

Additional Directions: An adventure pass is required and MUST be displayed in vehicles when using the Forest for recreation purpose. Annual pass order form:https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd779812.pdf

Carpool: Encouraged as Adventure Passes are per vehicle.

Note: Carpool transportation is at the sole risk of the participants.

Cancellation Policy: Any rain cancels