Viewed from any angle, Lily Rock (or Tahquitz Rock, as it is sometimes called) is an impressive peak. As we started the trip from Humber Park the big rock tower glared down at us, and the sharp pinnacle at the top was often visible from the trail as we headed out along the spiney ridge overlooking the Idyllwild bowl.
However, the peak proved to be relatively harmless to the 30 or more hikers that braved the cross-country scramble and short hand-over-hand required to reach the top. The route was hot and dusty, but the incomparable view from this eagle's perch was well worth the effort.
The streams and springs along the Devils Slide Trail are almost dry, and the evidences of this long, hot summer were seen all along the trail. The group gained the height rapidly to the Saddle Junction, and reached the Lookout at Tahquitz Peak at noon, according to schedule. We huddled together in the sparse shade of the tower and looked out over the hills and valleys to magnificent views in every direction. Peaks to the south were visible as far away as Rabbit, in spite of the haze that hung over the area, and to the north, the high peaks of the San Jacinto range dominated the skyline (including the Cornell Rockpile, and those 10,000 foot girls, Marion and Jean). Far below us, Suicide Rock looked less than dangerous.
After lunch we hiked down the trail for a short distance, and then plunged into the brush for the cross-country excursion to Lily Rock. The temperature climbed well into the 80's, and individual water supplies ran quite low. The trip down from the rock was an exciting glissade-scramble-plunge ably led by Gene Andreosky. We wenet down under oaks and through tall manzanita to the park below. Cold and wet refreshments in pleasant company topped off a memorable day.
