StartingOver - Jun 12, 2018 10:56 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2018
Surprisingly Serene Summit
Following my work retreat, I took advantage of my continuing rental of a pickup truck to drive to the top of Thomas Mountain. The drive was not fun, but the top was beautiful and lush with great pines, firs, and incense cedars, flowers, and grass that was still green. This would be a great area for camping with young families as it is not that crowded. Unlike Palomar Mountain, I can recommend this one for the scenery.
gimpilator - Dec 20, 2016 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Dec 11, 2016
28 Peaks in 15 Days
We did Thomas in the dark after having done Orocopia, Toro, and Santa Rosa earlier that day. This was the last day of our big trip and the only peak we could drive so close to the summit.
On the way down, Google Navigate took us an alternate route past Hog Lake. The road was too rough for my Subaru, but we were sort of committed. I would recommend only trucks and jeeps drive that road.
Other peaks we did during this trip include; Potosi, Cheyenne, Muddy Mountain, Muddy Peak, Virgin, The Orphan, Silica Dome, Cairn, The Sentinel, East Redstone, Redstone, Mystery Cairn, Vista, Hayford, Clark, McCullough, Spirit, Stepladder, Big Maria, False Maria, Black Butte, Chuckwalla, Pinto, Orocopia, Toro, and Santa Rosa.
surgent - May 15, 2013 6:43 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2013
Mostly a drive-up
Hiked Cahuilla Mtn earlier, then drove over to Thomas Mountain. Drove to Tool Box Campground, and parked at road "B", then walked from there to the top. Got some exercise, met a lot of campers and their dogs. Nice views of San Jacinto.
crag - May 20, 2012 1:10 pm Date Climbed: Dec 17, 2007
frequently
I think this is the only drive-up summit I have ever done, and only summit I have ever camped on. Great place to run the dogs and get a little relief from the heat. It gets surprisingly little use. The northern end of the Thomas Mtn road connects to an interesting but generally not too difficult web of truck trails (high-clearance 4wd recommended).
bechtt - Dec 17, 2011 4:43 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2011
drive up
What Bob said
Bob Burd - Dec 6, 2011 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2009
HPS roundup
Tagged a handful of HPS peaks with Tom Becht. This one pretty much sucked. Trip Report
NavySeabee - Dec 5, 2011 1:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2008
The Easy Way
Drove up with my daughters. Added Rouse Hill and Santa Rosa Mtn also as part of a long bumpy day. Toro Peak had 'official' activity so we could sneak up that one.
cab - Dec 5, 2011 11:15 am Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2011
Road
Hiked up to Cahuilla and Little Cahuilla in the morning, then over to Lookout Mountain. Next, drove up to Thomas Mtn. and Rouse Hill, then finished on Indian Mountain. Lots of driving on this day, but great scenery and some good hiking too.
StartingOver - Jun 12, 2018 10:56 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2018
Surprisingly Serene SummitFollowing my work retreat, I took advantage of my continuing rental of a pickup truck to drive to the top of Thomas Mountain. The drive was not fun, but the top was beautiful and lush with great pines, firs, and incense cedars, flowers, and grass that was still green. This would be a great area for camping with young families as it is not that crowded. Unlike Palomar Mountain, I can recommend this one for the scenery.
gimpilator - Dec 20, 2016 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Dec 11, 2016
28 Peaks in 15 DaysWe did Thomas in the dark after having done Orocopia, Toro, and Santa Rosa earlier that day. This was the last day of our big trip and the only peak we could drive so close to the summit.
On the way down, Google Navigate took us an alternate route past Hog Lake. The road was too rough for my Subaru, but we were sort of committed. I would recommend only trucks and jeeps drive that road.
Other peaks we did during this trip include; Potosi, Cheyenne, Muddy Mountain, Muddy Peak, Virgin, The Orphan, Silica Dome, Cairn, The Sentinel, East Redstone, Redstone, Mystery Cairn, Vista, Hayford, Clark, McCullough, Spirit, Stepladder, Big Maria, False Maria, Black Butte, Chuckwalla, Pinto, Orocopia, Toro, and Santa Rosa.
Click here to see the trip report with photos.
surgent - May 15, 2013 6:43 pm Date Climbed: May 11, 2013
Mostly a drive-upHiked Cahuilla Mtn earlier, then drove over to Thomas Mountain. Drove to Tool Box Campground, and parked at road "B", then walked from there to the top. Got some exercise, met a lot of campers and their dogs. Nice views of San Jacinto.
crag - May 20, 2012 1:10 pm Date Climbed: Dec 17, 2007
frequentlyI think this is the only drive-up summit I have ever done, and only summit I have ever camped on. Great place to run the dogs and get a little relief from the heat. It gets surprisingly little use. The northern end of the Thomas Mtn road connects to an interesting but generally not too difficult web of truck trails (high-clearance 4wd recommended).
bechtt - Dec 17, 2011 4:43 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2011
drive upWhat Bob said
Bob Burd - Dec 6, 2011 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Apr 19, 2009
HPS roundupTagged a handful of HPS peaks with Tom Becht. This one pretty much sucked. Trip Report
NavySeabee - Dec 5, 2011 1:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2008
The Easy WayDrove up with my daughters. Added Rouse Hill and Santa Rosa Mtn also as part of a long bumpy day. Toro Peak had 'official' activity so we could sneak up that one.
cab - Dec 5, 2011 11:15 am Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2011
RoadHiked up to Cahuilla and Little Cahuilla in the morning, then over to Lookout Mountain. Next, drove up to Thomas Mtn. and Rouse Hill, then finished on Indian Mountain. Lots of driving on this day, but great scenery and some good hiking too.
Alex Wood - Dec 2, 2011 2:13 pm
First Summitof 2011. Hiked this with my little brother and my dogs. Awesome day with steller views. The snow made it even better.