Idyllwild Camp OUT

When: Friday June 7th - Sunday June 9th, 2013 What: Camping season is here and escape the “June Gloom” of the cloudy coast to the beautiful mountain area of Idyllwild. The Fern Basin Camp ground is a few miles north of Idyllwild, CA in the San Bernardio National Forest. Friday 6/7: Drive to Idllywild, stop by Rangers Station to see if need Adventure Pass (June 8th is "Get Outdoors Day" and free day for the Adventure Pass requirement. Get any necessary paper work for the Wilderness Access Trail Permit for Deer Springs Trail to Suicide Rock on Saturday (6/8). Pick up any last minute supplies and then head to camp ground to set up camp. Saturday 6/8: We may join Trail Tramps on their scheduled day hike to Suicide Rock on Saturday, June 8th.  The Deer Springs Trail is one of four maintained trails that climb up the west face of San Jacinto Peak. The others being Marion Mountain Trail, Seven Pines Trail, and the Fuller Ridge Trail. The Deer Springs trail starts on Highway 243, one mile north of Idyllwild, at an elevation of almost 5600 ft. A branch of this trail takes you about 3 miles to Suicide Rock with a gain of almost 1700 ft. from the beginning of the trailhead, however if you only make it about 3/4 mile there is a beautiful rock vista offering a fantastic view of the valley stretching west to Hemet and a stunning view of Tahquitz Peak to the east. From Suicide Rock hikers are awarded with beautiful panoramic views of Idyllwild and the rugged, granite cliff of Tahquitz (Lily) Rock. The Deer Springs Trail continues to San Jacinto Peak, with a gain of 5200 ft. from the trailhead. 6/9 Sunday: Short hike after breakfast or head into Idyllwild to explore. What to Bring: You will need to bring a shelter - tent (if you're “hot” maybe you can rely on the kindness of strangers to share their tent), sleeping bag, pad, cooking equipment and food, something to share at informal potluck, flashlight, rain gear (just in case), warm clothes for the evening and the 10 essentials. Adventure Pass An Adventure Pass may be required in order to park vehicles on some Forest Service lands. A day pass costs $5, a yearly costs $30 and a second-vehicle pass costs $5. Businesses in Idyllwild that sell the Adventure Pass in or near the San Jacinto Ranger District are: Idyllwild Chevron, Idyllwild Ranger Station, Idyllwild Shell, The Market Place at Pine Cove and Lake Hemet Market and some sports stores in Southern California. June 8th is “Get Outdoors Day” and is a free day for Adventure Pass requirement. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5291028&width=full