San Jacinto Peak

San Jacinto Peak is the highest peak in Riverside County, California and part of the sheerest mountain face in all of North America. It is part of the San Jacinto Mountains, and is in the Mount San Jacinto State Park . The peak towers over the cities of Palm Springs and Idyllwild. The peak is also frequently named Mount San Jacinto.

Hiking

San Jacinto Peak is easily accessible, as many trails penetrate the San Jacinto Wilderness . The most popular route involves taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from Valley Station (2,643 ft) in Palm Springs up to Mountain Station (8,516 ft). From there, one can easily climb the mountain face via trails. Another method is to hike to the peak from the nearby mountain town of Idyllwild. The climb is popular, and not overly strenuous. From the peak, Mount San Gorgonio can be seen across the Banning Pass . The Coachella Valley below is easily visible, home to, among other things, the Salton Sea; additionally, much of the Inland Empire to the west can be viewed on a clear day.

External links

• Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Home Page
• PDF topographical map of Mount San Jacinto State Park and surrounds