Our beloved California! When summer comes around it is inevitable to seek higher altitudes in order to escape the desert heat. For San Diego climbers, "Idyllwild" is our (somewhat) local retreat. Located in the middle of the Southern Californian desert landscape the 'Jacinto Mountains' stand as a mountainous island surrounded by brushy desert chaparral. San Jacinto peak is 10800 feet tall and really provides for a different feeling. Within a few minutes, rising from the desert floor, one experiences a switch from scarcely vegetated desert to pine tree mountains and forests. Often temperatures are much more comfortable and climbing is just excellent.Here on a stroll up 'Suicide Rock's' most popular climb passing by its most valued tree – "Flower of high rank, 5.9" classic!