7S02 Santa Rosa

Temporary closure.

Did an overnighter on 10/5 and 10/6 (Thu/Fri). First time up here. If you are planning to camp please read about some of the sites and access at the end. Other trail reviews are spot on. The main trail is a solid 2 but was rutted out a bit in spots. Just had to pay attention and pick the right line. No large rocks, just avoid ruts and take your time. There are utilities near the top so the trail gets maintained for reasonable access to workers. Most spots allow for 2 vehicles but a few narrow spots that require backing up so pay attention to the last good spot. On Thursday I saw only two people. One coming down as I headed up and then a truck went by my site around 10pm I assume to camp up higher. Friday AM ranger plus 5 other vehicles as I headed down. Saturday was start of deer hunting season. I had called ranger ahead of time and he gave me the heads up so I expected uphill traffic so to speak. So the campsites. There are 2 YP sites off to the side on the way up. I had intended to camp at waypoint 9. But waypoint 9-10-11 have a minor gate keeper at the spur trailhead (see pics). I have a long wheelbase and being solo I did not want to risk it. With a spotter I would have felt better. So then I tried Stump Springs. Couple things: - I saw no vault toilet. Either it is either hidden really well or gone. - The trail to the first site is easy. There were 2 tables and one fire ring. - The second site farther down there was a tree down making for a very sharp turn around a decent size boulder that I did not attempt. - I believe they may have changed the sites here a little. I did not find an area with 3 tables and 3 fire rings like in the TrailsOffroad waypoints. Again since I found no vault toilet maybe they changed other things as well. - I did not go beyond Stump Springs. I ended up camping at the 2nd yellow post site. Big site, great views. It did get windy at night. And cold due to windchill. I am still pretty new to offroading. This was a good confidence builder. Slightly harder than Thomas Mountain which is nearby. Would for sure do it again.

Totally awesome trail. Not as rutted out like other SoCal trails rn. Completed in a stock suspension 2wd tacoma, had no issues. Aired down to ~25psi on 265s all terrains. It started to rain and light hail while doing this, loads of fun. Would recommend checking the weather before going up as it got really foggy. Total trail runs 12 miles long, and 1h 20m downhill (probably 2h uphill). lots of cool camp spots.

great views, but foggy at the top. bring bug spray

Ran this trail with a large 4x4 group. It was a very chill ride. We were there the day before Hurricane Hilary came through, so we were in clouds for most of the top and could not see any of the views of the Salton Sea.

ran this again just at night, was lots of fun. if you’re coming to camp bring bug spray and maybe a zapper, lots of bugs. the peak is 8260ft

2wd stock suspension tacoma made it up no problem. i aired down to ~26 PSI but honestly wasn’t needed (primarily for ride comfort). the trail is in better condition than it was a year ago, and only really rocky towards the very top (approx 8200 ft). great camping spot at the top but lots of small and large ones all along the trail. absolutely beautiful terrain change.

I did not drive it but was in the area to do Thomas Mountain so swung by to see it if was open. And I can confirm that it was! This is next on my list. Would be good if someone can review trail conditions after the crazy winter we had.

Open - great overnight spot. Fairly busy but it was Memorial Day weekend.

The road is temporarily closed. If you would like to read more about the closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/conditions/?cid=FSEPRD538928

Currently closed.

closed

Beautiful views! Easy trail for everyone. I did it in my 4WD colorado, a few rocks scraped along the skids but only because I didn't take the time to kick them off the trail. My friend also did fine in his 2WD stock Tacoma. Some great opportunities for a choice of a more difficult line to take, but anyone can make it up this trail. Great viewing spots. I'll be back to camp! Weirdly a lot of mosquitoes. It gets chilly at night too. It was in the high 70s during the evening and quickly dropped into the low 50s an hour after sunset. Elevation gain is a lot but gorgeous at sunset. A somewhat busy trail on a Sunday evening so be careful coming around corners and be mindful when stopped in the middle of the trail not to block others.

Awesome trail, rating runs true, the hardest sections are in the beginning and then there's it gets a little more difficult if you make your way up to 11 but I saw a AstroVan attempt to make it up there and never saw them come back down so I'm assuming they made it. Spectacular views the whole way with a pretty steep drop off the second half of the trail where you can see way into the desert valley floor and then an amazing 270 degree view at the very end if you are willing to hike a little ways down.

Came out to see a new trail only to find out it’s closed. :(

This was my second off-roading experience in my new Galdiator. We had a picnic up at the old cabin and stumbled apon a Geocache. It was a great day and we’ll be back for camping

Awesome trail! The road up the mountain is well maintained. Really nice drive. There are a lot of yellow post campsites and all are really great. I would revisit this area. No concerns. A 2wd might have some problems trying to get to way point 9,10, and 11 but would eventually make it with some finesse. Was disappointed to see trash left at the site I was at but I cleaned it up for the next person to enjoy.

Just a note that the gate is open as of May 5.

Unfortunately this trail is closed currently. I would check USDA before going. Also cell service around there is bad so be prepared with a plan B.

This is my first review... so no pics or video. Live in San Diego. We rented a house in Palm Springs with another family. Wally drives an 08 4Runner. I have a 2020 Wrangler Diesel. On our second day... a little bored at the pool Wally and I decided to take a ride. Glad we did. Found this trail, luckily, as we weren't looking for it. Great ride. Not too technical. Saw several hunters on the trail. Saw a couple camp sites. We did not make it to the top. But 1 and a half hours in, stopped to look around. Great views. Very peaceful and quite. We will be back to camp and make it to the top! Enjoy

The main trail is doable with most SUV’s & trucks (I’ve seen cars up there...I wouldn’t recommend that but people have done it), however, if you want to get to yellow post campsites 7-9, you should probably have a 4x4 vehicle. We camped at yellow post 9 which was beautiful, but the wind at night was howling so no campfire and little sleep but we still had fun exploring the area.

Easy trail with great views. Several camping sites, some will need 4X4 with clearance. There is a fresh water spring and toilet vault. Any SUV can make the drive, unless you take a right and go to Santa Rosa peak. Spent 4th of July Weekend there. Had a great time.

We loved this trail so much we came right back. I made a video this time and wanted to share it. This is a great place to get away from the heat of the summer. There are so many gorgeous views here.

This is a beautiful easy trail. The wildflowers are in peak bloom right now. I passed an Acura TL and a Honda Civic on the trail, but I'm sure they didn't make it without a scrape or two.

Road is temporarily closed for repairs. Serious wash out is expected to be repaired sometime around the end of April. Check with the Forest Info Center on HWY 74 for updates.

Great trail and fantastic views. What looked like snow was actually ice and caused my parked truck to slide toward the edge of the road! Be sure to slow down in winter and don't travel this alone if possible. Also, please be respectful of tribal lands toward the top -- tribal police are watching!

I cannot recommend this trail, and the camping, more highly. If you want to beat the heat during summer, head up Santa Rosa Mountain and spend a weekend in temperatures that range from 70-80 degrees F. There are many hidden campsites up there, you will have to find them either by driving around or looking at satellite images. There is some good hiking in and around the Stump Springs campground. One of them is an old trail that runs down the mountain via a different route. It was formerly accessible to jeeps but was closed off once the area was declared wilderness.

Great run!!!! we actually started in Hemet and took Rause Ridge at Cranston Station to Lake Hemet. We then took Highway 74 to the trail head and started up. Stopped at the Santa Rosa Spring (33.54011, -116.46744) and Desert Steve Ragsdales cabin (33.53822, -11646194) or at least what is left of it. We continued up to El Toro Peak and hiked down to the CH-53 helicopter crash sight (33.52317, -116.42350). Amazing to see so much history on one trip. (https://joeidoni.smugmug.com/Aircraft-Crash-Sites/Toro-Peak-CH-53A-Sea-Stallion/) a good site about a similar trip and some history on the crash.

Easy trail up and back. Interesting sides from forest art, natural springs to remains of stone building. It worth the trip to camp. Some of the best campsites Ive seen with water and pit toilets. At the top is an interesting communications site that you can get close to.