Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail Hike
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Palm Springs Hiking Trails

Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail Hike

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated May 4, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance
5.2 miles
Time
2-3 hours
Total Climbing
740 feet
Difficulty
Easy
Crowds
Moderate
Dogs
Leashed
Gear
What I Use
Weather
Latest Report
Park
Idyllwild Ranger Station

Tucked into the foothills around Idyllwild, the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail offers backcountry beauty without heading into the big mountains. This family-friendly hike is easy to follow, has a gentle climb, and offers lots of shade. Even though you're right next to a residential area, you'll feel like you're miles away as you hike through the forest.

People need trails like this one. Experienced hikers and backpackers can take off on the Devil’s Slide Trail, but the family or individual looking for a pleasant little outing will prefer the Ernie Maxwell. It’s a good introduction to the San Jacinto Mountains. - Ernie Maxwell

Where Is The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail?

Okay, to start, there are two ends of the Ernie Maxwell Trail, one end is on Tahquitz View Drive in Idyllwild, the other is in Humber Park. Most guides will recommend that you start in Humber Park, but I recommend starting on Tahquitz View Drive. Why?

  • You don't need a parking pass when you start on Tahquitz View Drive.
  • You go uphill on the first half of the hike, and then it's all downhill for the second half. This way you get the hard work done in the beginning and can enjoy the way back.
  • There are bathrooms at the mid-way point in Humber Park.

So in this guide, we're starting on Tahquitz View Drive, and you can use this trailhead address:
54980 Tahquitz View Dr, Idyllwild, CA 92549

This is a private address, please respect the local residents and their space. Don't knock on the door, park in a driveway, leave trash, block a driveway, or otherwise do something stupid.

There is free parking along the side of the road. Park snug against the side (see the pictures below).

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The trail goes up from the street, seen here above the Jeep. You can see how close to park to the side of the road.
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Here's a view up the road from the trailhead where there's more parking.

If there's no street parking, you can always get a parking pass at the ranger station, drive to Humber Park, and do the hike in reverse. If you have a National Parks Pass, you can use that at Humber Park.

Gear For the Hike

You don't need any special hiking gear for the Ernie Maxwell Trail, it's great for beginners. If you don't have hiking gear, fitness clothes will work fine. It's a shady hike but bringing a big water bottle is a good idea since you might sweat a little bit on the uphill.

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Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail Maps

The nice thing about the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is that it's a straight shot. There are some little side trails, which I'll show you below, but otherwise you're hiking up to the end of the trail in Humber Park, then back down to where you parked.

There are other guides that incorrectly state the elevation gain at 300 feet. It's more like 740 but the good news is that the climbs are gentle.

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Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 3d Map
The Ernie Maxwell Trail winds its way beneath the high peaks of San Jacinto Wilderness.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail Hike Elevation
This elevation profile makes the hike look way tougher than it is, but gives you an idea the uphill. There's a nice flat portion in the middle of the hike where you can recover if the beginning was tough for you.

Hike Brief

Wild Sweetpea On Ernie Maxwell Trail
The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is known for its outstanding biodiversity. Keep your eyes open for plants like this wild sweet pea.
  • You don't need any permits to hike on this trail (unlike other hikes in the area where you need a day-use permit).
  • The trail is named after the late Ernie Maxwell, a prominent Idyllwild resident, founder of the town paper, and local conservationist. Although Ernie passed in 1994, the trail got its name in 1988, so Ernie got to enjoy hiking his namesake quite a bit.
  • The actual trail was built in 1959 as a way for horses to transit town without having to walk on the roads. Ernie got permission from the Forest Service and then convicts from Riverside County completed the work.
  • Because of its elevation and shade, the trail offers a ton of biodiversity. Keep your eyes open for cedar, pine, and oak trees,  stellar jays, white-headed woodpeckers, and a multitude of wildflowers.

Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail Directions

Walk the trails, enjoy the fresh air. And get to know these mountains. The mountains need more friends. - Ernie Maxwell

Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 4
Start the hike on the southern terminus of the trail by hiking up from Tahquitz View Drive.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 5
A nice big sign marks the start of the trail.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 6
The trail starts climbing gently and you get some great views of Suicide Rock to the north. The rock, a popular climbing spot, got its name from the story of a Native American princess and her lover who, after being ordered to separate, instead committed suicide by jumping off the rock. It's believed the story was made up in the early 1900s to attract visitors.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 7
The trail soon gets shaded, allowing you to stay cool on the gentle uphill slopes. The trail passes by lots of enormous granite boulders in its 2.6 miles.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 8
When the shade does disappear, you're rewarded with great views. As you head north you'll get glimpses of Suicide Rock, Marion Mountain, and the San Jacinto Wilderness.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 9
The trail twists back to cross small springs, streams, and drainages at various points. Most of these drain into Strawberry Creek, which gets stocked with rainbow trout further downstream in Idyllwild.
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This shot gives you a good idea of how the uphill is. You'll know that you're walking uphill, but you're not climbing a mountain.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 11
Avoid the side trail down into the neighborhood to the left and go straight on the main trail.
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A flat section in the middle of the hike allows you to enjoy the views of Marion Mountain through the pines, oaks, and cedars.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 13
Another small stream crossing. You don't need trekking poles our waterproof boots; you can just hop across if there's any water flowing.
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More great views of Suicide Rock! From this angle you can see why it's popular with rock climbers. In fact, this area is where modern American rock climbing first gained popularity in the 1930s.
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Avoid the steep trail up the hill and go straight.
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Eventually you'll reach this post on the right which marks the start of the Climber's Trail. Stay to the left on the Ernie Maxwell Trail.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 1
Here's a closeup of the sign. This trail heads to the area where climbers can ascend Tahquitz Rock (also known as Lily Rock).
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Soon you'll come to the last little stream crossing. Head over it and continue on the trail.
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This is what the stream crossing looks like. It's very easy to cross, you don't need to get wet.
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Soon you'll reach the end of the trail at Humber Park. Once you come out at the pavement, you're in the park!
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If you make the right when you get off the trail, you can walk to the top of the parking lot where there are some more views, picnic benches, and bathrooms.
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 22
Look up for great views of Lily Rock, another popular rock climbing destination.
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At the top parking lot you'll find bathrooms.
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When you're done at Humber Park, simply head back down the same trail that you came up. You get a nice downhill hike as a reward! And the views are different too. A win-win.

Originally published August 19, 2019