Rouse Hill
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Rouse and its neighbor Thomas Mountain occupy the South Fork San Jacinto Wilderness, a small range south of Idyllwild, separated from the Desert Divide by the South Fork of the San Jacinto River, which drains into Lake Hemet at its feet. The views are marvelous, particularly a view of the full length of the Desert Divide to the east and north. The beautiful forested summit hosts a wonderful campground where once a fire lookout (1938), a Ranger outpost, and an AWS ground observer station (1936-45) stood.
Route 1 is a drive-up on Rouse Hill Road from Highway 74, starting a ranger station. This requires a high clearance vehicle. Route 2 follows the South Fork Trail which starts from a signed trailhead on Highway 74. This well-defined trail crosses chaparral and pine landscape before descending steeply to cross the South Fork to ascend gradually through forest to the peak.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Go south on I-215 to the Ramona Expressway. Turn left (east).
Go east and then southeast on the Ramona Expressway until it ends at SR 74. Turn left (east).
Go east on SR 74 to Mountain Center.
Continue east on SR 74 for 5.2 miles to a dirt road (6S13) on the right just past Lake Hemet. Turn right. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 4.5 miles, fork with a sign “Thomas Mtn 3, Rouse Hill 7”. This is the turnoff for Thomas Mountain. Turn right.
At 5.3 miles, fork with a gate and a sign “5S15”. Go right through the gate. Note your odometer again and go as follows:
At 3.8 miles, sign “South Fork Trail”.
At 4.5 miles, Milky Spring with a windmill.
At 5.5 miles, the road tops a low rise and starts downhill. There is a triangular metal sign on the left at the high point reading “JU30”. Go about 100 yards farther and park.
Hiking route
From the parking area, hike about 500′ to the summit, which is the high point of the rise to the northwest.
Driving route
Go south on I-215 to the Ramona Expressway. Turn left (east).
Go east and then southeast on the Ramona Expressway until it ends at SR 74. Turn left (east).
Go east on SR 74 12.0 miles to the South Fork Trail trailhead on the right. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (3869′), hike south along the trail that starts here, and goes along the east side of the canyon. It then drops down into the canyon and crosses the South Fork of the San Jacinto River.
Cross the river at the crossing provided (may be difficult during spring run-off) and continue up the other side of the canyon to saddle 4840’+ where the trail meets a jeep road.
At this point head west-northwest to go over bump 5040’+ and down its other side to meet the Rouse Hill Road (5S15) in saddle 4900′ at a wire gate.
Turn right and hike the road to its high point at the triangular sign “JU30”.
Then leave the road and head northwest to the summit.
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Special conditions: Any of these Forest Service roads may be closed for fire or rainy season or other reasons. Before investing in a long, perhaps pointless, drive … check with the Forest Service at Idyllwild: (909) 382-2921
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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