Deer Springs Trail To Suicide Rock

Took this hike in August 2015 by myself. Definitely a great hike. Good mixture of forest and rocks. Great views too. I spent at least an hour or more on top just photographing; admiring and eating. Advise minimum half gallon water if it’s warm. Shade hat and sunglasses. Expect 4 – 5 hours round trip if you’re in moderate shape. Great springs too half way up. I took a quick baptismal dip. Cold water! But I prefer cold water.

A healthy up and down hike with great perilous photo opportunities.
Parking along Highway 243 past Idyllwild (across from the nature center) you trek up miles of switchbacks gaining elevation over a few miles to a break in the tail. It’s another mile to the actual suicide rock plateau. This hike is probably not recommended for younger kids and adults who don’t hike often. Some may find some discomfort with the some of the rocky aspects of the trail. For example, my wife needed a lot of coaching and «one switchback at a time» support to make it up all the way. The final stretch up to the Suicide Rock is less strenuous. For those not afraid of heights you can get very close to ledges.
You will need a wilderness pass to hike this trail. It’s a bit of a bummer because you have to queue up at the Ranger station early in the morning to pick up a very limited number of passes. They claim only 20 or so passes are handed out a day. But there were a lot more people on the trail than that.
— The threat of rattlesnakes is real. Do not go off trail out onto any of the granite vistas.

This is a beautiful hike. It’s also rather challenging. I am capable of doing 6 mile hikes in San Diego where I live, but the elevation makes the 6.5 mile hike a bit of a challenge.
I was told it was 3 miles round trip by the people I went with, so I didn’t prepare for snacks & extra water. That being said, pack plenty of water and a snack or two to ensure that you’re don’t feel fatigued throughout the hike. We had a 7 year old with us who was bored but mostly capable of the hike herself (she did require some piggy back rides.)
The view is breathtaking and absolutely worthwhile.

I hope Deer Springs is named because of deer springing and prancing about. The thought of deer sprouting a spring doesn’t sound appealing. We didn’t see any deer to confirm or deny either possibility.
The Deer Springs trailhead is a turn-​out parking strip along Highway 243. If full, try parking at the Nature Center across the highway. The Deer Springs Trail goes to Mt San Jacinto Park, but also is the easiest path to the top of Suicide Rock. The hike to Suicide Rock is 6.6 miles roundtrip with a 1900 foot elevation gain.
There aren’t many vistas until reaching Suicide Rock. I don’t know why anyone would want to commit suicide on the rock. It’s the least depressing part of the hike. The trail is much the same the entire way except for a creek.
If you’re going to commit 6.6 miles on a hike, try taking the South Ridge Trail to the Tahquitz Peak Lookout. Significantly higher, Tahquitz looks DOWN on Suicide Rock and has expectedly better views.
IMPORTANT: A free hiking permit is required, but a National Forest Adventure Pass is not. Permits can be filed at the San Jacinto Ranger District Visitor Center at 54 270 Pine Crest (at Highway 243) in Idyllwild.

The last time I hiked this trail was about 4 months ago…
The veiws and San Jacinto in general is spectacular. If I lived closer, I would hike here all the time!
When driving on HWY 243 look for Deer Springs Trail… shortly after Idyllwild. The hike itself is about 6 ½ miles round trip with approx 2000 ft elevation gain. It’s about a moderate intensity level. It took me about 3 ½ hours total. I spent some time at the top to take in the amazing views. About halfway up are amazing views of Tahquitz rock! (it is also visible from the top) I have friends that rock climbed it and loved it! Maybe oneday for me.
As with any hike… be prepared. Tons of water — more then you think you need. A snack, sunscreen — some of it is not shaded. Enjoy!

Went on this hike on a beautiful winter Saturday. Started about 1pm, finished about 5pm and that included spending some time at the top. What an amazing place. The day we went the sky was full of swirling clouds and as we worked our way up the incline we soon realized we were in the clouds. What an enchanting experience, want to come back and bring lunch for the top!

The Deer Springs trail is located on Hwy 243, one mile north of Idyllwild. The parking area isn’t huge, it’s just a dirt pull-​off, but there is additional parking at the nature center across the highway. Parking should never be a problem.
About a half mile up the Deer Springs trail you will enter into the San Jacinto Wilderness area, and will therefore need to have a wilderness permit with you. These are free, and are easily obtained at a self-​serve kiosk at the entrance to the campground in Idyllwild (or online
).
The hike is about 6.6 miles r/​t and is moderate in intensity. It starts at 5,600 ft and ends at 7,300 ft. If you are coming from closer to sea-​level, the altitude will be an added challenge, especially during the first half mile. We went at a pretty good clip, and the hike took us about 2.5 hours (moving time). I read in a guide book that it should take 4 hours, so I guess it depends on how leisurely you set your pace.
The scenery on this trail is diverse, and quite spectacular. The trail starts in an area covered with bright red manzanitas and oaks, and leads to an area surrounded by mountain peaks and pines.
I like this hike because it provides beautiful views of the wilderness, without being too long or strenuous. It is perfect for when you want to get in a relatively quick hike, but still want epic views and a good workout.