Idyllwild, December 2003
Summary:
- Who: Gregg, Rachel, Dennie, Steve, Frannie, and Reilly all in the 4Runner
- What: Mountain retreat
- Where: CA - Idyllwild, in the
San Bernardino National Forest , near Mount San Jacinto
- When: December 2003
- Difficulty:
Easy
Route/Directions:
From I-10, take route 243 south through Idyllwild to route 74 heading
south-east. About 10 miles from Idyllwild, in a little area called Pine Meadow,
you'll see a sign for Thomas Mountain. Take this right turn and the road will
soon end in a "T". Another sign for Thomas Mountain is in front of you.
Turn left. This road soon becomes a dirt road (FR 6S13) and
follows a ridge line up to Thomas Mountain and past two campgrounds:
Tool Box Springs and Thomas Mtn Camp. Various short roads turn off to the camps, or to
just get a better view of Mount San Jacinto and the surrounding valleys.
It eventually connects up with FR 5S15 which heads up to Rouse Hill.
We continued (right) on 6S13 and back down to route 74 near Lake Hemet.
Trip Report:
We stayed for 2 nights in a cabin in Idyllwild. This is a nice
little mountain town, mostly catering to tourists, with all kinds
of shops and restaurants. Driving there and back took up part
of the first and last day. The remainder of those days were
used for shopping. On the middle day, we explored
Thomas Mountain. We stopped at both campgrounds to get out,
stretch, and walk around. No snow, but somewhat cold and windy
at the higher camp. There isn't really an obvious peak, but
the road follows the ridge line and gives you great views
on either side.
Maps, books, etc.
This trip is entirely on the San Bernardino National Forest Map.
"Backroad Trips & Tips" (by Harry Lewellyn) has this trip listed
as "Thomas Mountain" (Area 7, CB-30, p. 323), but I think it has
some of the roads marked incorrectly.
Scroll through the trip reports.
