South Ridge Parking

[roller62]

Hey all - SJ newbie here, but I plan on spending more time up here as I get ready to do Skyline in May and Whitney in August. Hopefully simple question - looking to do a loop next weekend going up Ernie Maxwell, Devil's Slide over to Taquitz and down south ridge - were is a good place to park my Mazda 3 (minimal ground clearance) near the bottom of South Ridge trail? I have heard the road up to SR trail can be challenging


Thanks
Ron in SD

[Jill G]

Good, scenic training loop.
You can likely get ~.5 mile or more up the dirt Forest Road and stop/park when it gets too rough for your car.
If you prefer to avoid the dirt road the easiest way to do the loop you described is to park your car just a short way past the gate for the Forest Road. When you exit the Th walk down the Forest Road to your car.
You can also leave your car at the lower TH for Ernie Max (there's room for 4 cars at the TH sign) then simply walk out/down the dirt Forest Road ~1.25 miles to the paved Tahquitz View road, turn right onto the paved road and walk down to your car.
We usually start that loop at the Devil's Slide TH parking lot, and finish the loop by coming up Ernie Max. Kicks your butt a little more to have some gain at the end.

[Brett]

You will likely need crampons to get over Tahquitz. I have heard that the north side is still very icy. Micro-Spikes might not be sufficient. There was a treacherous rescue up there just last week of an unprepared hiker.

[RMRUpete]

I would highly recomend crampons and ice axe after the mission last Sunday Night. See the RMRU.ORG web site for write up and pictures. It is amazing that the day can be warm and sunny and at nigth high winds and solid ice. Just be prepared and you should have a great hike. The South Ridge Trail is clear of snow right now, but one storm is coming this week and one on the weekend. Be safe and have a great adventure.

[Lermo]

Thanks for the rescue information Pete. For those interested, here is a link to donate to the RMRU (Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit). Remember, these guys and gals are all volunteers.

http://www.rmru.org/donate.htm

[madmxe]

I just read the rescue report! Man you guys at RMRU provide one hell of a service. Great job and thanks for being here!

[roller62]

Thanks for the info guys, but that little notice from the weather service about snow levels going down to 4500 ft Friday have me backing out of the weekend. Tromping in the snow and mud is probably fun for some, but not me. At least the nice folks at Hurkey Creek are letting me do a courtesy cancellation because of the storm.

I'll try again in a couple weeks...