Toro Peak is the highest peak in the Santa Rosa Mountains in south-central Riverside County, southern California. Although sometimes overshadowed in fame and prominence by its bigger neighbor Mt San Jacinto, Toro stands far enough apart with enough prominence to make it a highly visible peak from many vantage points. The peak is easily viewed from vantage points in the Coachella Valley along Interstate-10 and the towns of Indio and Palm Desert, although the closer in to the foothills you get, the peak becomes hidden from view. The best view, in my opinion, is from the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the south, where one can view nearly all of Toro's magnificent 8,716 feet of height.

The peak lies on the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation, which is a checkerboard of mile-square sections interspersed with BLM and forest lands. A service road leads to the top, which makes hiking a simple affair (except if you're me). Most people will hike Toro for its status as one of California's most prominent mountains, not for its mountaineering challenges. However, views up high are tremendous!

Full Disclosure: I came within 40 vertical feet of the summit before being stopped by a work crew, who would not allow me access past their worksite to the towers. One guy seemed like he was itching for a fight - so I didn't argue the point. I was able to stop for some breathtaking views southeast toward Anza-Borrego and the Salton Sea, so it was not a total loss... but the fact remains I did not bag the top, so I'll go back. Others have climbed this peak no problem, so I think I was just unlucky. You probably won't have any issues, unless you see lots of work trucks.

Toro Peak Panorama as seen from Fonts Wash, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, December 2006 (click on it for the full-size image - you may need to click again on the image if your browser does not automatically enlarge the photos.)

Getting There

Access is off of State Highway CA-74, about 25 miles from I-10 off the Monterey Exit via Palm Desert, or about 7-8 miles east of the junctions of CA-371/74, if coming up from San Diego. Look for San Bernardino National Forest Road 7S02 marked by an obvious sign for Santa Rosa Mountain on the south side of the highway. The road is dirt and moderately bumpy, so high-clearance is recommended. The road gains from desert chapparal mix up to pine forest with great views on occasion. There are sections where the road is very narrow so be careful and mindful of oncoming drivers. Ten miles (my odometer said 9.8) is the turn off for Santa Rosa Mountain. Another mile or so leads to a simple junction that offers the last best place to park and turn around (here). If you park here it's about a two-mile hike and about 1,000 feet of gain to the top.

Look for this sign.

Red Tape

This is the only contact information I found for the SRIR:

Anthony Largo, Chairperson
Santa Rosa Reservation
325 North Western Ave.
Hemet, CA 92343
P: 909/849-4671
F: 909/849-5612

(source)

(The website dates from ~1997, so keep that in mind)

---

California has many Indian Reservations that fan out across the land in maddening checkerboard fashion, in which public lands are alternated with private/indian lands, making access 'officially' very difficult, even to the public insections. This is the case with the top parts of Toro Peak. Generally you should follow your nose here and turn back if you feel it's not right. Good luck asking for official access - my experience is that (a) they won't know what you are talking about or (b) won't be in at all to answer your questions.

Camping

The map shows two camping areas along Toro Peak Road (7S02). Nothing substantial. Both looked to me like small cleared areas, nothing more, right along the road. First come, first serve. Down lower your options are limited and further out. Cheap hotels are in Indio. Much nicer digs are in Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta. For the SPer on the 7-figure salary, Indian Wells is the place to be seen.

Scene from the Toro Peak Road, still lower down.

Weather, Road

Snow up high in winter will probably close the roads lower down. Summer would be fine, it might get hot, but at 8,700 feet the hottest days will still mean temps only in the 80-90s at most (low 30s C). Just take the road slow.

Gas and supplies should be obtained while still in Palm Desert, or if coming from the west, Hemet or the little towns along CA-371. This stretch of CA-74 is very scenic but does not have convenient fuel/food stops.

Images