Tamarack Valley

San Bernardino National Forest covers nearly 660,000 acres of terrain that includes a wide variety of climates, vegetation, scenery, natural resources, and outdoor recreation. Within the forest are the highest mountains in Southern California, including 11,502-foot Mount San Gorgonio, and about 114,000 acres of the forest in the Cucamonga, San Gorgonio, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto wilderness areas. The San Jacinto Wilderness is managed by the USFS but it is divided by the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness which is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. There are 117 miles of trails here – including the Pacific Crest Trail where elevations range from 6,000 feet to 10,000 feet in the Wilderness. 

Mount San Jacinto, one of the highest peaks in Southern California, rises to an elevation of 10,834 feet (3,302 meters). The area is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, scenic vistas, and rich biodiversity – making it a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts.  The tramway takes visitors from Palm Springs to Mountain Station, located at 8,516 feet. This offers a convenient way to access the higher elevations of the wilderness.  On this hike, we jumped the tram near Palm Springs to climb to from the desert floor and enter the alpine zones of the San Jacinto Wilderness.  This 11.8 mile loop uses the Devil’s Side, Pacific Crest, and Round Valley Trails and starts and ends at the tram.  We spent three days hiking the loop past Willow Creek, Saddleback Junction, and Tamarack Valley and enjoyed the scenic but challenging hiking in the park and along the Pacific Crest Trail.