Suicide Rock via Deer Springs Trail

Parking at Nature Center

Parking at Nature Center

Parking on Street and Start of Hike

If parking is available, and preferably not in the sun, the right side of the street heading out of Idyllwild is legal.

Warning Sign

5 minutes into the hike, here is your warning to go back to the Ranger Station and get a free day pass to enter the San Jacinto Wilderness.

Madrones

This should be the Madrone Trail, not Deer Springs. I saw not a deer nor a spring, however I did see several hundred gorgeous madrones. What NW coasters call Arbutus trees, ok they are a subspecies, these red-barked survivors love the cruel weather. Their red bark peals back to reveal a lime green layer and often the red is not completely around the trunk. Their dainty leaves also hide nice white flowers.

Idyllwild Below

Idyllwild can be seen from here, lost in the trees.

Lizard

There are LOTS of these little lizards about 6 inches (15 cm) long. They like the sun in the trail..more than I do.

Entering the State Park Wilderness

How many parks jurisdictions do we have to walk through? Three.

Junction to Suicide Rock or Strawberry Jnct

Here the trail splits to either Suicide Rock or Strawberry Junction and the Pacific Crest Trail.

Red Dead

The gorgeous red bark of this older tree still shows many years after its death.

Tahquitz

The first nice panorama of the valley from the Suicide Rock trail

3 Trunks

Thanks to the many trees along the trail, the sun wasn't too oppressive. Still, there could have been more.

Big Red

Where did this tree get enough water to grow this high?

Suicide Pk or Strawberry Jnct

A lone tree in the trail and panorama of Tahquitz and the valley from the top

Suicide Peak

Suicide Peak

A few more Summit shots

Creek near Suicide Rock, not very wet...

...but if you are desperate or it has rained recently, this may be the only water on the trail. Look upstream a few feet/metres for a tiny waterfall to fill bottles. (Of course, there's the usual warning about waterborne pathogens.)

Trail Shots

Here are a few shots to show trail conditions, generally flat, easy footing, with of course a few things to stumble over.

Another Old Tree, leaning way over

How long until this one goes down? Can it hang on, even with the current drought?

Trail doubles back on itself, CAUTION

Looking at the trail route, a noticeable side trip on the way up shows a broad circle to the right and considerable confusion. The trail in fact doubles back to the right in a blind corner, while an apparent trail continues straight up to a view point complete with rock cairns to mark the "trail." It is NOT the trail. Look closely at these images to realize the correct route. The first is the approach uphill and the second a little closer. The trail looks like it could go straight. But turn sharply left (third picture) and you will see where the trail in fact goes.

Tree

Dust to dust, and a great baby monument.

Look out

This is the first, so-so lookout on the trail. You can see Tahquitz.

Trailhead Sign

A bit blurry of a shot, but this sign marks the beginning of the Deer Valley Trail, if started from the Nature Center parking lot. You'll miss it if you park on the right side of Route 243.