On a whim, I decided on a last-minute road trip out to Palm Springs to do some hiking and check out the La Quinta Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.
I’ve hiked Mt. San Jacinto, but I’ve never really checked-out the areas surrounding the town of Idyllwild, so I began looking for some shorter trails in the area that I could hike in an afternoon.
I settled on the Perimeter Loop Trail, a popular trail within the Idyllwild Nature Center.
Hiking The Perimeter Loop Trail, Idyllwild Nature Center (Idyllwild, CA)
Editor’s Note: This article is part of my ongoing series on the state of California and its sister-series on Palm Springs
About The Perimeter Loop Trail
The Perimeter Loop Trail is located in the Idyllwild County Park Nature Center at 25225 Highway 243, Idyllwild, CA 92549.
The trail is a moderately-easy, 1.6 mile roundtrip loop trail that runs from the parking lot of the Nature Center Entrance down along the Nature Trail to the Nature Center, before continuing on to a Viewpoint and then returning up to the parking lot via the Perimeter Trail.
This is a well-shaded, heavily forested, and popular trail that is suitable for people of all ages.
FHOP Tip: Although there are plentiful signs marking the trails, the signs can be a little confusing and the trail can be easy to lose in some sections. Make sure to carry a map and pay attention to the direction of the trails and the major waypoints (like the junctions, the Nature Center, and the Viewpoint) and the trail should be easy to navigate.
The Perimeter Loop Trail Map
This loop trail starts and ends at the yellow star. I hiked this trail in a counter-clockwise direction
Parking At The Nature Center
There is a large parking lot at the entrance to the Nature Center (just before the kiosk at the entrance) where parking is available for $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for children, and $1.00 per dog. Park in this lot – don’t drive down to the Nature Center.
Section 1: The Parking Lot Trailhead To The Nature Center Trail
The Perimeter Trail bisects the parking lot, with trailheads on either side.
I started on the Western side of the lot to head in a counterclockwise loop.
The (Western) trailhead in the parking lot
Continue on past the boulder
This is one of the confusing signs I was talking about; here, go left toward the Nature Center
Section 2: The Nature Trail To The Nature Center
From the junction, the trail heads though a serene and relatively flat section of forest as it oh-so-gently treks downhill in a straight-line, past a grove of Manzanita trees, toward the Nature Center.
There is a almost an overabundance of benches and places to relax on this section of trail.
It’s the perfect place to be silent and reflect in nature.
Seriously, there are a lot of benches
Section 3: The Nature Center
At the end of the Nature Trail is the Nature Center.
Here, there are several displays to see both indoors and outdoors, and a few connecting nature trails.
Don’t go this way! The Perimeter Trail is the opposite direction
The distinctive bark of the Manzanita Tree
Section 4: The Nature Center Trail To The Viewpoint
From the Nature Center, head east.
There will be a junction with the Perimeter Trail Campground, but keep straight toward the Viewpoint.
Keep going straight
Section 5: The Viewpoint
Soon, the trail veers to the right where you’ll see a large mound of granite rocks.
The Viewpoint is at the top of this mound.
From the viewpoint the town of Idyllwild comes into view – and you realize you are not as secluded as you thought you were.
A Sasquatch’s nest. Or, I guess it’s possible this is just a pile of dead wood
Section 6: The Viewpoint Back To The Parking Lot
Past the Viewpoint, the Perimeter Trail treks steadily uphill through the wildest and perhaps prettiest section of the entire loop trail.
The parking lot is just up ahead through the trees
The end of the loop trail – back where we started in the parking lot
Final Thoughts: Hiking The Perimeter Loop Trail (Idyllwild, CA)
The Perimeter Loop Trail was an easy, fun, and quick trail.
At just 1.6 miles, it was more of a walk than a hike. I think the whole thing took just over 1 hour. Still, I’m glad I got to check this little park out.
Next time I’m in Idyllwild, I’d like to go for a bigger hike by adding on the extra 1.7 miles of the [connected] Summit Trail (which is accessible beyond the Nature Center).
If you are in the Idyllwild or San Jacinto area and wanna walk the dog or just need a nice walk in the woods to get some fresh air, the Perimeter Loop Trail is a solid choice that’s hard to beat.
Cheers!
