Deer Springs Trail to top of Suicide Rock – 6.6 miles taking 3 � hours or so with lunch at the top of Suicide Rock. Trail starts through Manzanita grove becoming more forested. At top of Suicide Rock, phenomenal vistas in all directions. Starts at 5600 ft elevation, climbing to 6900 at the trail junction, ending at 7500 at the top.

Permit required: Get permit at State Park offices located on Hwy 243 just as leaving Idyllwild toward Pine Cove on your left. Park rigs on the right side of Hwy 243 to walk in (not enough room for rigs in parking lot). Proceed north on Hwy 243 to the Nature Center about 1 mile on your left. Turn into drive, parking off pavement on left and/or proceed around to right and park on right alongside �island� with trash barrels and downed tree. If parking is not available, may park in wide area along highway (not as desirable) with an Adventure Pass. Probably good idea to use Adventure Pass or Golden Age card regardless.

Trailhead is across the highway (pass by on either end wood railing along other side of highway). Take care in crossing especially on your return; listen for traffic as there is not good line-of-sight coming back.

* Follow trail, wide at first and then narrows as turns to the right after about 400 yds.

* After passing sign �entering San Jacinto State Park� up a little bit there are two foot paths out to vistas that are a nice family hike destination.

* Trail has some technical footing but no drop offs. Good for green stock and people who don�t like heights.

* At 2.3 miles turn right to Suicide Rock. Just before trail intersection has nice places for picnic.

* Trail is less steep incline but has some drop offs. Just before a stream crossing, there is a narrow rock crossing that we suggest you dismount and lead horse across. Water available almost always. Nice area to dismount and mount on each side of rock.

* Proceed to top of rock (all dirt) bearing right to a cluster of small trees suitable for tying horses.

* Walk out on rock top (explore a bit) to have lunch-with-a-view.

* Return same way you came remembering to dismount just past stream crossing to lead over rock.

Water reliably at stream crossing on way to Suicide Rock, early in the season lower on a trail crossing which has lovely azaleas in early June.