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** Use at Your Own Risk **
27G |
Cornell Peak |
9750' |
Location: Riverside County, about 8 miles west of Palm Springs, 112 miles from Los Angeles
Maps
| Auto Club | Riverside County |
| Forest Service | San Bernardino National Forest |
| USGS Topos | San Jacinto Peak 7½ |
| Official HPS Maps | TPO file - Save to your computer then open with National Geographic TOPO! |
| Viewable PDF file - Approximately 6 megs | |
| GPX file or Google Earth KML file to download to GPS units and other map software (How to use GPX and KML files) | |
| Routes as shown on CalTopo using the above files (How to use CalTopo) |
Nearby Peaks: San Jacinto Peak, Folly Peak, Jean Peak, Marion Mountain, Drury Peak
ROUTE 1
- Distance: 6 miles round trip on trail and cross-country
- Gain: 1800' total, 1500' out plus 300' on return
- Time: 3-5 hours round trip
- Rating: Class 2, moderate
- Navigation: Moderate
- Route: Summit area has moderate exposure on good rock
Original: John Backus, August 1982
DRIVING ROUTE 1
- Take I-10 east past Banning to the junction with SR 111.
- Take SR 111 southeast 8.5 miles to the Palm Springs Tramway Road. Turn right.
- Go up this road 3.7 miles to its end and park in the tramway parking lot.
HIKING ROUTE 1
- Take the tram (fee required) to the upper station at 8560'. Go downstairs and exit the building. Follow the concrete sidewalk as it descends to the valley below.
- Continue straight ahead 200 yards to a ranger station. Pick up a day hike permit here (remember to sign out here on the return).
- Continue about 1/4 mile to a trail junction with a sign "Round Valley - 2".
- Keep right and continue 2 miles to the water station spigot at the main trail junction in Round Valley Campground.
- Continue north past this trail junction for 1/2 mile to Tamarack Valley.
- Upon reaching a trail junction at the Tamarack Valley sign, follow the trail on the left and hike north through the campsites onto the steep slopes of the peak visible straight ahead.
- Aim slightly to the right of the apparent summit area, passing rock barriers generally on their east side until you discern the main ridgeline ahead.
- When you reach the ridge, turn left (west) toward the summit and scramble to the base of the summit block on its east side. Here is a foot wide chimney with a chock stone wedged in it about 10' up. The register should be located at the base of the chimney.
ROUTE 2
(USFS Adventure Pass may be required)- Distance: 16 miles round trip on trail and cross-country
- Gain: 4600' total, 3900' out plus 700' on return
- Time: 8-10 hours round trip
- Rating: Class 2, strenuous
- Navigation: Moderate
- Route: Summit area has moderate exposure on good rock
Original: George Wysup, August 2000
DRIVING ROUTE 2
- Drive to Idyllwild.
- From the Chevron Station in Idyllwild, go northeast on North Circle Drive for 0.8 mile to South Circle Drive. Turn right.
- Go 0.1 mile to Fern Valley Road. Turn left.
- Go 1.8 miles to the loop at the end of the road in Humber Park. Park here.
HIKING ROUTE 2
- From Humber Park (6480'), hike up the Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction at 8080'. This is a multiple trail junction.
- Take the far left trail and continue up to Wellman Divide.
- Take trail downhill to the right (east) to Round Valley.
- Keep right and continue 2 miles to the water station spigot at the main trail junction in Round Valley Campground.
- Continue north past this trail junction for 1/2 mile to Tamarack Valley.
- Upon reaching a trail junction at the Tamarack Valley sign, follow the trail on the left and hike north through the campsites onto the steep slopes of the peak visible straight ahead.
- Aim slightly to the right of the apparent summit area, passing rock barriers generally on their east side until you discern the main ridgeline ahead.
- When you reach the ridge, turn left (west) toward the summit and scramble to the base of the summit block on its east side. Here is a foot wide chimney with a chock stone wedged in it about 10' up. The register should be located at the base of the chimney.
ROUTE 3
- Distance: 4 miles round trip on trail and cross-country
- Gain: 1600' total, 1400' out plus 200' on return
- Time: 2-4 hours round trip
- Rating: Class 2, moderate
- Navigation: Moderate
- Route: Summit area has moderate exposure on good rock
Original: Byron Prinzmetal, August 2002
DRIVING ROUTE 3
- Take I-10 east past Banning to the junction with SR 111.
- Take SR 111 southeast 8.5 miles to the Palm Springs Tramway Road. Turn right.
- Go up this road 3.7 miles to its end and park in the tramway parking lot.
HIKING ROUTE 3
- Take the tram (fee required) to the upper station at 8560'. Go downstairs and exit the building. Follow the concrete sidewalk as it descends to the valley below.
- Continue straight ahead 200 yards to a ranger station. Pick up a day hike permit here (remember to sign out here on the return).
- Continue about 1/4 mile to a trail junction with a sign "Round Valley - 2".
- Take the Round Valley turnoff and continue another 1/4 mile to where the trail crosses the stream. There is usually a sign here telling hikers they must have a permit. Prior to crossing the stream there is a use trail on your right (west).
- Turn right (west) and follow the use trail to Tamarack Valley.
- Upon reaching a trail junction at the Tamarack Valley sign, follow the trail on the left and hike north through the campsites onto the steep slopes of the peak visible straight ahead.
- Aim slightly to the right of the apparent summit area, passing rock barriers generally on their east side until you discern the main ridgeline ahead.
- When you reach the ridge, turn left (west) toward the summit and scramble to the base of the summit block on its east side. Here is a foot wide chimney with a chock stone wedged in it about 10' up. The register should be located at the base of the chimney.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Inexperienced climbers should not attempt the summit block. This section can be quite hazardous in high wind conditions.
Temperatures are 30-40° cooler on the peak than at the tram station on the valley floor. Hikers should dress accordingly.
Wilderness permits are required under all circumstances. Permits for day hikes can be obtained from the Long Valley ranger station (near the tram) for Routes 1 and 3. For Route 2, they may be obtained at Idyllwild Ranger Station, as can permits for backpacking. Permits are limited to 12 hikers. The Idyllwild Ranger Station is just off SR 243 at 54270 Pine Crest Road. There is a self-issue permit stand outside of the ranger station. 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 peak lies within the Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness which encompasses most of Mount San Jacinto State Park. In addition, the peak lies within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument created in 2000.
History of Summit Signature
Climbing Archives
Please report any corrections or changes to the Mountain Records Chair.