Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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33.43330°N / 116.2386°W |
Route Type:
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Hike |
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Time Required:
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One to two days |
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Difficulty:
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Class 2 |
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Approach
From the main page, follow the instructions for the South Approach. You first much climb to the summit of Villager Peak. This is fairly straightforward, but long and arduous.
From the parking lot, hike north across the sandy desert floor. Aim for a broad ridge that comes to the desert floor about 3/4 mi to the north. To the right is another ridgeline heading to Rosa Point, and between the two ridgelines is Rattlesnake Canyon (don't go there unless you want further punishment). A use trail may be found that will help you navigate through the rocky and undulating flash flood wash found coming out of Rattlesnake Canyon. Numerous ducks mark the trail through the most difficult sections (nothing more than class 1 though if you're on the trail).
Once you cross the flood channel, the climbing begins in earnest, 4,000ft in 4.5mi at a fairly steady rate to the summit of Villager Peak. The ridge is easy to follow and the trail continues almost unbroken to the summit. Villager Peak has a false summit, the true summit lying several hundred yards further to the northwest. There is a summit register on the top of Villager Peak.
Those doing a two-day trip to Rabbit Peak generally make camp near the summit of Villager, then do a light out-and-back trip to Rabbit the next day before descending back to the TH.
Route Description
Follow the ridgeline northwest and north to Rabbit Peak with numerous ups and downs. It is approximately 4mi from Villager to Rabbit, with 2,000ft of ascent on the way out, 1,000ft on the return. There is one point along the trail where the left (western) edge drops of precipitously and rifts appear along the trail several feet deep. These have reportedly been there for many years, but use caution in this area.
The true summit and summit register are located on the northwest side of the summit area. Two rocky outcroppings further to the southeast provide interesting class 3 climbing, but are not the summit.
Essential Gear
Water, water, water.
There is no water anywhere along this route at almost all times of the year (flash flood periods excepted). It is a very long hike, so be sure to carry sufficient quantities.
Sturdy shoes are nice, but unnecessary - it is more comfortably climbed in tennis shoes.
Miscellaneous Info
If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.