trip report by site editor Rick McCharles
In lovely Idyllwild, California, I inquired at the Ranger Station for the best hike in the area.
They recommended Suicide Rock, Deer Springs Trailhead … just a mile away.
6.5 miles round trip
2000 ft elevation gain
Lovely. A relatively easy day hike.
I did see one snake of indeterminate make and model. (A hiker told me that he had seen a Rattler about a year earlier on this same trail.)
Check Local Hikes for more information.
You can continue to the summit of San Jacinto Peak from that same trailhead.
What is this, by the way?
besthike.com 
It looks like pink asparagus. I’m sure I’m wrong about that, he he. Very cool looking plant, whatever it is.
Hi! I hike up here all the time as a local. Next time, try Devil’s Slide trail – my personal favorite and the “gateway” trail to oodles of more exploring from up at the saddle junction. That there lovely red flower is called a Snow Plant. I’m sorry I do not know the latin name ;)). Happy trails! Gina
Thanks Gina.
Don’t remember any PCT thru-hikers mentioning this when we stayed in Idyllwild, but it looks like a nice hike.
That’s called a snow plant (the tall red flower).
Snow Plant. Amazing, right? Done this hike many times and the last time in June, I saw a Mountain Lion!