probably a stupid question....

[ps_native]

i grew up in PS, but moved to the beach in '96...hence my lack of knowledge on this.
Q- can you hike up to the tram via Taquitz Canyon? before I moved away, Taquitz was a major party scene....i remmeber plenty of hiking up to Jesus Rock from Mac Magruder Chevrolet. some buddies and I actually even managed to lug a full keg up there once....that was heavy.
i know that the entrance to Taquitz is no linger 'public' like it used to be...but there are other ways of getting into Taquitz....so that is not my concern.
mainly i'm looking for any advice on trial condition (if any) going up Taquitz.....as far as the summit.

[Hikin_Jim]

That is some rugged, steep country with waterfall after waterfall. Bring your climbing gear.

HJ

[wb]

ps_native,

I hiked down the Tahquitz drainage nearly a year ago, starting from Caramba Camp at about 6800 feet down to the 4th great fall at around 2700, where the creek horseshoes to the north, where I bailed due to the inability to find a route that was safe. I cannot speak to accessability from the Indian Reservation to this point, since I did not see this section of the trail. I would not climb this drainage because it's extremely tough, steep and dangerous terrain and the mountain is replete with far better and more scenic wilderness opportunities. However, if say a rock were to fall on my head and I became mentally disabled and decided to attempt a climb up the Tahquitz drainage, I would do the following:
1. make sure that I'm in excellent physical condition.
2. give myself two full days, possibly three to summit
3. hike with at least one other skilled person
4. bring rope and harness and requisite skills
5. know how to bail out and reach the C2C trail from any point
6. carry the necessary safety and communication equipment
7. plan on no cell reception in the drainage
8. have my head examined
To test yourself, I recommend that you first verify that you can tackle the C2C route in under 6 hours without being wiped out at the top, IMHO.

Ok, so you've asked for trail conditions: this is a deep gorge with debris anywhere up to 12' to 15' high choking the canyon in some spots - mostly alder, sycamore, willow and some oak, between 2700 and 4200 feet. Some of it you can climb over, some you've got to crawl through. Many thickets, too, that need to be climbed through. There is no trail, and it's typically a 20 to 30 degree gradient. Massive boulders for the last 2000 feet of ascending. Packs will need to be removed and hoisted up dozens of times. Lot's of brush, but nothing wicked. Mostly shaded and water all the way up. Finding a place to camp is difficult. At least two of the upper falls will require rope and harness skills, and I recall no existing hardware to utilize. Hope this helps.
Best Success!

[Nick-SJM]

RMRU was just recently thinking about going down Tahquitz Canyon as an orientation trip. However, on the advice of a couple of people who really know Tahquitz Canyon (nobody is better) we were told it was NOT a good idea this year. The brush is the worse that it has been in a long time. There would be long areas of crawling under brush. If this sounds like fun to you, I recommend a mental evaluation.

[ps_native]

8. have my head examined

If this sounds like fun to you, I recommend a mental evaluation.

odd, this seems to be a common piece of advice i keep hearing throughout my life...

thank you all for the advice and knowledge provided. based on the danger level this hike seems to holds, i will avoid doing this solo and instead focus (for now) on looking for a partner to join in on my future Taquitz 'head examination' expedition.
Again, my sincere thanks for the advice and information, this site seems to be a great group of people that truly enjoy the outdoors...i couldn't ask for any more.
now, with that being said.....any takers for taquitz-one-way-up?

[Lermo]

ps_native

Check out this awesome TR by WB from last fall. This should give you a good idea of the real deal:

http://www.mtsanjacinto.info/viewtopic.php?t=2648

[bluerail]

..."I recommend that you first verify that you can tackle the C2C route in under 6 hours without being wiped out at the top"

Back to the tram too ? thats movin...




You specifically want the canyon ? not maybe the ridge to the south?

I know two people that wonder that hill in search of therapy.

[wb]

Back to the tram too ? thats movin...

Nope, I meant to the Ranger Station.

[wb]

ps_native

Check out this awesome TR by WB from last fall. This should give you a good idea of the real deal:

http://www.mtsanjacinto.info/viewtopic.php?t=2648

Wow, thanks!

[Zé]

You specifically want the canyon ? not maybe the ridge to the south?

I know two people that wonder that hill in search of therapy.

for your own good stay away from this guy and his friend! ^