Spitler Peak Trail
5.3 mi
Distance
2 hrs 22 min
Time
terrain
2,454 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate one way trail in San Jacinto Wilderness.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Hiked/Climbed March 13 2026 – As it was forecast to be one of the hotter days of the record breaking March heatwave, I decided on a shorter trip (or so I thought) to climb Antsell Rock with a very early start from the Spitler Peak trailhead. Spitler is a nice trail to get up to the Pacific Crest if not done in the heat (no shade) and you don’t mind the usual deadfall obstacles on the upper switchbacks (4 large cedars to go over/under/around and tangled webs of smaller burned oaks). While it was already warm at the start, a nice cool wind started blowing halfway up the switchbacks and continued for most of the day. Gaining the ridgeline at the Spitler/PCT trails junction in the dark and looking down at the Coachella Valley lights that stretch for miles was amazing, well worth the hike in itself. Continuing north on the PCT, I headed up the meandering gully use trail to Apache Peak, stopping once again to see the eastern light show. Instead of back tracking to the PCT, I decided to spike up and make a direct descent down the snow on Apache’s northern slope to rejoin the PCT (when snow free, there is a use trail here). Back on PCT heading north, the occasional snow was still firm as first light was coming over the horizon. Getting to see the first light from the eastern side of San Jacinto & San Gorgonio is probably the biggest motivation for starting early (IMHO) and it was spectacular. Leaving PCT and going up the northeast chute to reach the base of Antsell Rock started on slippery snow and transitioned to a loose talus/scree mix, just as anticipated. After reaching the base of the first chimney climb, it was a truly fun route up that I has last done in 2024. The ledge connecting the two short vertical routes still had Poodledog bush that was hard to avoid but it is finally withering. I was amazed that there were only three entries in the log book since my 2024 scratching as it’s not a hard climb and rewards one with awesome panoramic views in every direction. After down climbing to the top of the chute and descending it, I decided to expand the day as the weather was still not too bad and I had brought 4 liters of water with plans to cache half of it enroute. Heading back south on the PCT, I took the standard route around the northeast side of Apache which is the first time in three years that it was not steep ice at mile 169 on the PCT map. Continuing on to the south, I decided to go up Apache’s east peak before heading back to the Spitler/PCT junction and going further south to head up the last bit of the Spitler Peak Trail to the summit. After enjoying the great views of Garner Valley, Lake Hemet and the taller San Jacinto peaks, I headed back down to the trailhead, stopping to filter some nice cold water at the bottom of the switchbacks. The lower trail was definitely on the hotter side but still enjoyable with a boonie hat. It is possible to take the Apple Canyon Trail down from the PCT between Antsell and Apache but it’s quite an adventurous bushwhack as I found out in 2024, slower than the extra mileage of returning via the Spitler Trail. “Friday the 13th” was on my side all day! Logged 16.9 mi /27.2 km & 4421 ft /1347.5 m with Gaia
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