Toro Peak
| Toro Peak | |
|---|---|
Toro Peak
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,717 ft (2,657 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 3,996 ft (1,218 m) |
| Coordinates | 33°31′24″N 116°25′32″W / 33.5233623°N 116.4255689°WCoordinates: 33°31′24″N 116°25′32″W / 33.5233623°N 116.4255689°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Riverside County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Santa Rosa Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Toro Peak |
Toro Peak, in Southern California, is the highest mountain in the Santa Rosa Mountain Range. It is located 15 mi (24 km) south of Palm Springs, 12 mi (19 km) west of the Salton Sea, and 31 mi (50 km) east of Temecula, California.
Part of the mountain is under the jurisdiction of the San Bernardino National Forest. Another portion, including the 8,717 ft summit and the United States Geological Survey marker on the summit (registered in 1939), is gated and controlled by the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation. A third portion of the mountain is administered by the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
The mountain is accessible from California State Route 74 (also known as the Pines to Palms Highway) via a dirt road approximately 5 miles east of Route 74's junction with Route 371.
The dirt road begins at an elevation of 4,700 feet and heads towards the summit for approximately 13 miles. A 4x4 or off-road vehicle is recommended because the road is steep and rocky. It comes to a locked gate around 8,200 ft and from there it is a 500-foot hike to the summit up a rough maintenance road that passes the former MCI (now owned by Verizon Communications) primary power generator that provides electricity to the summit.
From Toro Peak's summit one can see the Santa Rosa Mountain Range to Palm Springs, and neighboring mountains such as San Jacinto Peak, Mount San Gorgonio, Palomar Mountain, and Hot Springs Mountain. To the east/southeast, the Salton Sea and Imperial Valley are visible. From the peak in good weather Charleston Peak in Nevada is also visible.
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Wikipedia