Antsell Rock is located along a dramatic section of the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Jacintos known as the Desert Divide. Most people who hike in the San Jacinto Mountains head to Idyllwild to start their hike and don't hike out to the granite divide known as the Desert Divide. The Desert Divide runs from Red Tahquitz south and separates the Garner Valley to the west from the Coachella Valley to the east. The views to the east and west from along the Divide are expansive on a clear day. Other peaks along the Divide include Red Tahquitz, South Peak, Apache Peak, and Spitler Peak. Antsell Rock is more a bit more challenging than the other peaks along the Divide due to a short Class 3 scramble just before the summit, so it gets less traffic than the other peaks.

The Desert Divide north of Apache Peak with the higher San Jacintos in the background:

Getting There and Route Information

There are various trailheads that may be used to access Antsell Rock. They include:

Spitler Peak Trailhead: Take SR 74 or SR 243 to Mountain Center, then travel East on SR 74 for about 3 miles. You will see the turn for Apple Canyon Road and Hurkey Creek Park. Turn left and follow the road for 2-3 miles. You will see a turnout and a sign for the trail on your right. Park in the large area on your right just south of the trailhead.

Fobes Trailhead: From Mountain Center continue east on SR 74 for 7.0 miles to dirt Fobes Ranch Road (6S05) on the left (north) at a cattle guard. Turn left onto the dirt road. Drive 3.5 miles down Fobes Ranch Road and turn right (there is a sign telling you which way to the trailhead) and go 0.4 miles to the trailhead. There is only room for 4 or 5 cars at the trailhead, but it's not a popular trailhead, so that's not a typically a problem.

Route from the Spitler Peak and Fobes Trailheads: From either trailhead you will take the respective trails to where they join the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Turn north and follow the PCT (when you get to the twin Apache Peaks, you have a choice of going over Apache Peak Saddle or staying on the PCT and going east of Apache Peaks). If you hike up to the saddle between the Apache Peaks keep hiking north over the saddle until it descends and joins the PCT again. Continue north on the PCT. You now have two options:

1. When you are almost directly under the east of Antsell Rock (UTM 11S 533442mE 3732487mE 6827 ft.). From this point you will head up the steep loose gully to your left until you are just under Antsell Rock's summit block. The last 100 feet includes some easy Class 3 scrambling and usually marked by ducks.

2. Continue north on the PCT to a saddle (almost 7200') on the ridge between South Peak and Antsell Rock (1/2 mile north-northwest of Antsell Rock). Leave the trail here and follow the rocky ridge (old Sam Fink Trail). Pass the rocky bump just north of Antsell on the right (west) side and hike up to the face of Antsell in a narrow notch. A large class 3 crack goes up to the right. Go up this crack to a ledge at the top. Turn left and contour left up past some trees into a gully. Head this gully up until you reach easy terrain where you continue on a short distance to the summit.

Humber Park - Devil's Slide Trailhead: From the Chevron station in Idyllwild, go northeast on North Circle Drive 0.8 mile to South Circle Drive. Turn right. Go 0.1 mile to Fern Valley Road. Turn left. Go 1.8 miles to Humber Park's big parking area.

Route Directions from Humber Park: The Devils Slide Trail begins at the upper right corner of the Humber Park parking lot. From this trailhead hike up the trail 2 1/2 miles to Saddle Junction. At this junction take the second trail from the right with a sign "Tahquitz Valley". Go 0.6 mile to another junction with a sign "Tahquitz, Skunk Cabbage Meadow". Go right at this junction. Go another 0.6 mile to another junction signed "Tahquitz Peak, Tahquitz Meadow". You are now on the PCT. Continue on the PCT past South (Southwell) Peak to a saddle at about 7,200 feet (1/2 mile north of Antsell Rock). Leave the trail here and follow the rocky ridge (old Sam Fink Trail). Pass the rocky bump just north of Antsell on the right (west) side and hike up to the face of Antsell in a narrow notch. A large class 3 crack goes up to the right. Go up this crack to a ledge at the top. Turn left and contour left up past some trees into a gully. Head this gully up until you reach easy terrain where you continue on a short distance to the summit.

There is also a shorter route up Apple Canyon to the Desert Divide, but it crosses private property (the Zen Center).

Detail of routes from the PCT to Antsell Rock:

Red Tape

Wilderness permits are required under all circumstances. Permits are limited to 12 hikers. Permits may be obtained from the Idyllwild Ranger Station 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

San Jacinto Ranger District

Camping

Forest Servcie Campgrounds:

Thomas Mountain Campground: Number of Sites: 6; Elevation: 6,800; Vegetation: Pines; Toilet: None; Water: None; Fee: $0; [Good mountain back road exploration & pretty secluded spots] Hwy.74 east, pass Lake Hemet, right turn onto Forest Service Rd.#6S13 for 4 miles & left on Forest Service Rd.#5S13 & go 3 miles to the camping area. Campground in Thomas Mountain offers a restroom, fire rings and tables. No water is available at this site.

Pinyon Flats Campground:
Located on Highway 74 east of Highway 371 at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. Available for year round camping. Has 18 sites and can accommodate trailers up to 15 feet in length.

More Forest Service Campground Information:

Forest Service Camping Information

County Campground:

Hurkey Creek Park: Located in Garner Valley, four miles southeast of Mountain Center on Highway 74. The 59 acre park is open year-round and has 112 campsites, five group camping areas, and two day-use areas. Offers showers, restrooms, fire rings with half-grills and picnic tables in a forest area. Also includes hiking trails that lead directly into the San Jacinto wilderness area. Hurkey Creek flows almost year-round and attracts a variety of wildlife. The park even includes two archaeological sites. For more information, call 1-800-234-PARK (7275).

External Links

Pictures of a hike to Antsell Peak from Fobes Trailhead on May 6, 2006

Link to Hundred Peaks Section Information on Antsell Rock

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