Strawberry Junction Campground

When you imagine the second highest mountain range in Southern California, imagine hikes that double as your quadricep boot camp. Imagine 10,834 feet of mountain presence and 54 miles of hiking trails that will wind you throughout the scenic contrasts of Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness area. You can take your pick at San Jacinto, between full day scrambles, like Marion Trail, half day sojourns, like Mt. San Jacinto Summit and family friendly excursions like Long Valley Discovery Trail. Hikers and backpackers need wilderness permits, so come prepared and then stand atop the power of what has been described as the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth.

Legendary naturalist, John Muir, said that mountain parks are fountains of life (and he was most definitely a fan of Mount San Jacinto!) In the center of this wilderness area two salivation worthy climbing spots exist. Suicide Rock (which, despite this somber name, boasts sustained routes up to 400 feet) and Lily Rock, with sustained routes up to 1,000 feet.

In the winter, Mount San Jacinto’s summer climbing action shapeshifts into the lateral movements of snowshoe and cross country ski amidst a magnificent seasonal snowfall. If you’re looking to get to the San Jacinto area from Palm Springs, try the aerial tram and check out the winter adventure center for snow sport packages!

As you climb in elevation from the cozy perch of a tram car , put your binoculars away. You won’t need to magnify the soaring tail feathers of Cooper’s hawks and Golden eagles - they’ll be right outside the window. The surrounding canopy of pine also hosts Clark's nutcrackers, common ravens, northern flickers, red crossbills, mountain chickadees and white-headed woodpeckers. In the spring, flitting above meadows decorated in wildflowers, you might catch sight of Audubon's warblers, western tanagers, western bluebirds, and violet-green swallows. Of course, ground bound creatures also roam the Mount Jacinto wilderness area, including coyotes, mule deer, bobcats and the occasional mountain lion.