Leatherneck Ridge

Oct 17, 2026Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument (USFS/BLM), CA

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Leatherneck Ridge

10.3 mi: Distance

9,000 ft: Elevation gain

7.5 hr: Duration

Class 3: Crux

Point-to-point: Route type

8/10: Quality

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Peaks bagged

1

Leatherneck Point7,437 ft / Rise 113 ft

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From the Palm Springs Visitor Center, walking a mile across the desert to the nearest ridge, which eventually merges with Leatherneck Ridge proper.

Crossing a wash at the foot of the ridge.

Starting up the ridge.

Keeping to the south side of the ridge to bypass a prominence on the crest.

View back toward Palm Springs.

Class 2/3 slabs.

Gaining the ridge crest.

Approaching a grassy basin. The route continues up the slope on the left.

Closeup of San Jacinto's northwest face. The lower tram station is visible left of center.

Mojave yucca and California juniper become more abundant around 3,400 feet.

View back.

Around 4,200 feet, single-leaf pinyon pines dot the northern slopes.

Class 2 obstacle.

Charparral materializes around 4,700 feet. Pictured here (but hard to see), a couple of mule deer feed on acorns from the plentiful desert scrub oaks.

View back.

Circuitous navigation around brush and boulders.

Around 6,200 feet, the brush gives way to Jeffrey pines.

View back.

Closeup of the granite cliffs on the east side of the ridge.

Ascending a broad, grassy slope.

View back.

Gaining a prominence known as Leatherneck Point.

Closeup of San Jacinto's north face.

Continuing along the undulating ridge.

View back toward Leatherneck Point. San Gorgonio Mountain is visible in the distance.

Large boulders stud the crest, forcing Class 3 maneuvers to avoid heavy bushwhacking.

View back.

Several more bumps to go.

Bypassing the prominence ahead. Note the fallen double tree trunk.

Contouring the west side of the ridge.

Starting the final ascent to the San Jacinto plateau.

View back.

From the top of Leatherneck Ridge, view west toward San Jacinto Peak.

Continuing to the upper tram station through a popular bouldering area known as Shangri-La Valley.

Navigating deadfall and boulders toward a low saddle.

From the saddle, starting the gradual descent to Long Valley.

Climbing chalk-covered boulder.

Joining the Round Valley Trail.

Ranger station.

Paved set of switchbacks leading to the upper tram station.

View back toward Long Valley.

View of lower Leatherneck Ridge from the tram.