Tahquitz Peak (LO), Red Tahquitz, Lily Rock

25 June 1988

By: Tom Armbruster

Leaders: Tom Armbruster, Eivor Nilsson, Frank Dobos, Ruth Lee Brown

Two parties of just under fifteen each enjoyed an agreeable ten hours in the mountains East of Idyllwild. Both groups climbed Tahquitz up the South Ridge Trail, enjoying views of the Desert Divide and the Palomar Observatory to the Southeast of the ridge, and of Idyllwild, Orange County's Saddleback, and Mount Baldy off the Northwest side.

The trip's limit of fifteen was filled weeks before. Frank Dobos came to the rescue, agreeing to take another fifteen under a separate wilderness permit. The outing had been billed as a "moderate pace, full day trip."

Eivor Nilsson lent her experienced and steady hand as the sweep.

Lunch was had on the well-named Red Tahquitz. On the way back, most of Frank's group left the main party for an exit via Lily Rock. They continued down to Humber Park, where Tom picked up the drivers and took them back to their cars on the South Ridge.

The group enjoyed temperatures in the 70's. Light smog came into Idyllwild in the late afternoon, but was not noticeable on the South Ridge. There is clearly a need for more trips in this area.