Southwell ("South") Peak

Southwell and Red Tahquitz, taken from the south, photo by Kathy Wing

Southwell, taken from Fobes Trail, photo by Kathy Wing

Southwell and Red Tauquitz, taken from the south, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Southwell (“South”) Peak

28D

Elevation

7840

feet

Status

active

Region

Desert Divide

Range

San Jacinto Mountains

Nearby peaks

Red Tahquitz, Antsell Rock

Location

33.743656,-116.648693

Description

This peak, “South” on USGS maps and its benchmark, has been informally named Southwell Peak by HPS to honor a beloved local ranger who manned the Tahquitz Peak for many years. Southwell is the first peak in the chain of peaks one encounters as the Desert Divide begins its descent from Red Tahquitz to the desert, all connected by one of the most beautiful sections of the PCT in southern California. This particular section of trail that includes Red Tahquitz, South and Antsell Rock South was built almost single handedly by R. S. Sam Fink, after whom HPS’s highest service award is named, during the 1930s, and was later incorporated into the PCT.

Route 1 starts from the upper parking area of Humber Park on the Devil’s Slide Trail as described. It passes Red Tahquitz along the way, making for a nice combination, then descends to South, which must be regained on the way back. It is only a short detour to add Tahquitz Lookout to your outing as well. Although not an official route at this time, it is just as often often hiked from the south, paired with Antsell Rock.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1- Devils Slide Trail

Elevation Gain

3100′ total, 2200′ out plus 900′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

14 miles round trip on trail and cross-country

Estimated time

7-8 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, strenuous

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

From the Chevron station in Idyllwild, go northeast on North Circle Drive 0.8 mile to South Circle Drive. Turn right.
Go 0.1 mile to Fern Valley Road. Turn left.
Go 1.8 miles following the yellow line to Humber Park. Park here. Ample parking.

Hiking route

The Devils Slide Trail begins at the upper right corner of the parking lot. From this trailhead (6440′), hike up the trail 2 1/2 miles to Saddle Junction (8040′).
At this point there are four trail choices. Take the second trail from the right with a sign “Tahquitz Valley”.
Go 0.6 mile to another junction with a sign “Tahquitz, Skunk Cabbage Meadow”. Go right at this junction.
Go another 0.6 mile to another junction signed “Tahquitz Peak, Tahquitz Meadow”. This is the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) marked by a square post.
Turn left and follow it along the north side of Red Tahquitz for about 3/4 mile to a shallow saddle with a rock outcrop about 100 yards to the left (east). There may be a duck on the right of the trail here. This is the turnoff for Red Tahquitz.
Continue on the trail past elevations 7900′ and 7640’+ and past the east side of Southwell Peak.
About 1/4 mile from the last saddle at 7600′-, the trail starts downhill at a small saddle with a rock outcrop on the right. At this point the slope on the right side of the trail changes from steep rocks to a gentler slope. There may be a duck here.
Turn right, leave the trail and go up the slope to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Special conditions: Wilderness permits are required under all circumstances. Permits are limited to 12 hikers. Permits may be obtained from the Idyllwild Ranger Station just off SR 243 at 54270 Pine Crest Road. There is a self-issue permit stand outside of the ranger station. The weekend quota for the Devil’s Slide Trail is usually filled in advance during the summer months. Permits for the South Ridge Trail are much easier to obtain. Permits may be obtained in advance from:
San Jacinto Ranger District
54270 Pinecrest
P.O. Box 518
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Voice: (909) 382-2921
Fax: (951) 659-2107

Historical note: The HPS calls this peak Southwell Peak for Jesse M. Southwell who was the ranger at Tahquitz Peak Lookout from 1946 to 1967. When the Forest Service proposed this name, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names turned it down since Jesse was still alive. The name may formally remain South Peak.

The route from Red Tahquitz to Southwell Peak, Antsell Rock, and Apache Peak has been made rather easy with the construction of the PCT. Before this trail existed, the HPS called this route the Sam Fink Trail. Early HPS member R. Sam Fink marked the route with metal trail markers along the spine of the ridge. It involved much class 2 and some class 3 climbing.