Have you seen the Santa Rosa Mountains and Toro peak? Experience an alpine atmosphere like the forest around upper Big Bear without having all the crowds or civilization about you. On the road up you can see the Pacific Ocean and on the East side a short hike above the camp area you can see the desert to include sites such as East and West Buttes, Cayote Mtn, Whale Peak, the Salton Sea and other areas that we all have hiked for a lot less money.  Free!  This is a gratis campout to our group and friends.

Our campground is a beautiful wooded area in a meadow 8.5 miles up a gravel road from Hwy 74 between Idyllwild and Palm Springs. It’s at 7600’ with perfect weather for August (mid 70’s). Hike or mountain bike all over the area, and sight-see the far vistas in peace and quiet.  Few people know about this area.

Come along and enjoy the quiet adventures amongst the fir , pines, and gooseberries where few people visit. This is a trip to relax in the quiet and solitude of a mountain forest.

There is plenty of space and no car limitations or fees. But please sign up early to to let us know who is coming and who to look out for.  RV‘s could make it up the gravel road but it has many twists and sharp turns.  I do not recommend long RV’s on this trip.  Two wheel drive SUV’s and trucks are recommended vehicles.  Fiats and other low clearance vehicles will have problems in three spots.

If you are bringing a car, an adventure pass is required.

Itinerary:

Friday, 8/17:

12 pm...Check-in

8   pm...Group  activities

Saturday, 8/18:

10 am...Hike

6   pm...Potluck

8   pm…Group activities (Game Night)

Sunday, 8/19:

10 am...Hike

For additional questions contact:

 The Santa Rosa Mountains Federal monument and campground is southeast of Idyllwild and west of Palm Desert on Hwy 74.  Drivinge West on Hwy 74 there will be a turn out on the right (approx. 5 miles past the HWY74/371 intersection).  You will see a large dirt turn out and a large white iron gate for the entrance to the gravel Forest Road #7S02.  It takes approximately one hour to drive up the gravel road to the campground area (#13-15).    Get more complete directions at mapquest or reference a road map..