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4S21 - Indian Mountain

4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California (Riverside County)
Last Updated: 12/30/2018

Trail Information

Highlights

I selected this highlight photo from an earlier trip to Indian Mountain. Never living out of southern California I'm only familiar with this dry, arid, scrub brush and boulder type of scenery. I find it very beautiful. Diamond Valley Lake is off in the distance on the right. Because Idyllwild is close to me I manage to get into these mountains frequently. The southern last mile of this trail is rated a "Black Diamond" by the USFS and not to be missed.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (18)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 12/28/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I did the trail N to S. I will not run that way again on my own. However, it is a really fun trail. My jeep is a JLU with 35s and no lockers but due to the difficulty of the last mile I turned around and went back up the trail to Highway 243 at Pine Cove. It is just easier to run the difficult areas uphill as opposed to downhill so in the future I will run it S to N. FYI, I had no issues. I just chickened out after a few close calls. A spotter would have made it much more tolerable going downhill during that last mile.
Open
Visited: 08/19/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Ran this trail from south to north. Rubicon had zero issues. Fun trail to hit while you’re out in the area. My friend would not take his ford ranger up it.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 08/06/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This could be my new favorite trail in Southern California. I ran the trail from the south (up hill) solo in the jeep to see if the vehicles in the small group I lead could do the trail. I wouldn't lead anyone on this trail without 33's and 1 locker for short wheelbases and 35's and 1 locker on longer wheelbases. I don't think I would do this trail north to south in the jeep (2-door) without a spotter.
700
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 01/22/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Did this both ways in a full size truck with open diffs and 33s. Super fun. I should learn how to disconnect the sway bar. Was hard and spooky but worth it. What a rush!
Partially Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 01/15/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Ran this trail with my 2011 Jeep JKU Sport with 4” lift and 35’s, and my parents in their 2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon with 3” lift and 35’s. Lots of pin-striping in the beginning due to overgrown vegetation, and definitely lots of off camber spots. I didn’t disconnect at all and didn’t have any issues getting stuck without lockers. About 3/4 of the way through we ran into a large group from Hemet Jeep Club, and the lead guy informed me the trail was closed ahead as it had become impassable. As we had already been out for awhile we opted to turn around and head out the way we came in. Definitely need high clearance for this trail, lockers and sway bar disconnect would be preferred, but as I said I didn’t do either and had no issues. Overall a fun trail with gorgeous views throughout.

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