HWY 74 & 371 / anza (not borrego) / santa rosa mtns / cahuilla valley / SBNF
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85straight
New member
Bunch of easy trails near idyllwild, Thomas Mountian is a easy scenic drive that runs parallel to 74 just past lake hemet, 11 Yellowpost up there I believe
Santa Rosa truck trail is pretty cool, the biggest area to explore up there and a few Yellowpost
Santa Rosa truck trail is pretty cool, the biggest area to explore up there and a few Yellowpost
85straight
New member
Then in anza theres upper sheep canyon, which used to connect down to lower sheep canyon outside of brroego springs
The middle 2 miles is off limits to vehicle now a days, which really sucks
The middle 2 miles is off limits to vehicle now a days, which really sucks
85straight
New member
Thomas moutain almost never closes, even after a good snow. Good place to go to get away from the crowds
tay4R
New member
They just had that pretty big fire up that way, but I think it was closer to Idyllwild and San Jacinto. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6032/
Even closer to Fallbrook, I just explored High Point Truck Trail near the 79/371 intersection. Connected to Palomar Divide Truck Trail and out the east side of Palomar Mountain. Very easy trails. I think since it's national forest land, you are free to pull off and camp. Saw lots of really nice spots. Just need to be aware of fire regulations. Some gates were also closed that I wasn't prepared for. But I was just exploring so didn't matter a whole lot.
Even closer to Fallbrook, I just explored High Point Truck Trail near the 79/371 intersection. Connected to Palomar Divide Truck Trail and out the east side of Palomar Mountain. Very easy trails. I think since it's national forest land, you are free to pull off and camp. Saw lots of really nice spots. Just need to be aware of fire regulations. Some gates were also closed that I wasn't prepared for. But I was just exploring so didn't matter a whole lot.
cjdewese
New member
I live in Garner Valley/Mountain Center and have been on the mountain my entire life 34 years. 
Everything is still pretty much open after the fire (but will shut down quickly with rain) with May Valley being the only one closed that I know of at this time.
Most of the trails have been covered already, there are 2 trails that go from hemet up that aren't very difficult but nice drives.
B-Canyon which is on the north side of 74 before you head up the mountain and goes from there all the way past pine cove and towards poppet flatts or twin pines. TONS of roads out that way including Black Mountain. The portion from hemet to Idyllwild can get crowded at times though, but if you go past that towards pine cove or further it clears up pretty quickly.
The other drive from hemet up is called rouse hill truck trail and goes from hemet to Thomas mountain where there are a few yellow post sites as others have mentioned or you can drop down off of Thomas and into Anza. This trail doesn't see nearly the same traffic as B canyon. Here is a link for reference https://goo.gl/maps/JgGvTrPEBW62
Everything is still pretty much open after the fire (but will shut down quickly with rain) with May Valley being the only one closed that I know of at this time.
Most of the trails have been covered already, there are 2 trails that go from hemet up that aren't very difficult but nice drives.
B-Canyon which is on the north side of 74 before you head up the mountain and goes from there all the way past pine cove and towards poppet flatts or twin pines. TONS of roads out that way including Black Mountain. The portion from hemet to Idyllwild can get crowded at times though, but if you go past that towards pine cove or further it clears up pretty quickly.
The other drive from hemet up is called rouse hill truck trail and goes from hemet to Thomas mountain where there are a few yellow post sites as others have mentioned or you can drop down off of Thomas and into Anza. This trail doesn't see nearly the same traffic as B canyon. Here is a link for reference https://goo.gl/maps/JgGvTrPEBW62
grave
Senior Member
Any idea if Santa Rosa Mtn is open right now? SBNF site says it’s closed but I thought a local might know better.Couldn't agree with you more about hemet, but living on the hill there are just times you have to do it.
I would recommend Santa Rosa Mtn as well, very pretty and great views if you are going down to Palm Springs anyways.
cjdewese
New member
@%1;
Last time I drove by the gate was open but that was a few weeks ago, I haven't been down that way lately unfortunately.
cjdewese
New member
Were you able to make it out? It's been really nice on the mountain lately and it looks like all the roads are back open except for the 74 and 243 due to the road washing out on Valentines day.
