Devil's Punchbowl - Cahuilla Lodge # 127, Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America

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Devil's Punchbowl

Topographic Map: Valyermo Thomas Bros. Page #: Total Roundtrip Mileage: 6 Elevation Gain: 1,000 Feet Seasons: Winter through Early Summer Mother Nature must have taken everything she had left when she was finished designing the world and dumped it here. It is really awesome. Actually, two hikes are available, this one from South Fork Campground, and a shorter one into the bowl itself. The shorter 1 mile hike would be very good to introduce you to the local geology and to also visit the interpretive center at the park headquarters. The Hike: This is best if you plan to use a car shuttle. From Highway 138, turn South onto Big Rock Creek Road and continue to Sycamore Flat Campground. Sometimes, due to road conditions, this becomes your new trailhead. South Fork is about 1 mile past Sycamore Flat and is well described on the map. Due to heavy usage in past years it does not presently allow car camping. Walk through the campground to the southern end and follow the signs. You will cross a stream and then proceed uphill then dropping into Holcomb Canyon. Here you will find an idyllic grade with splashing streamlets. Soon you will again continue an uphill climb leading you to a rock outcropping known as the Devil’s Chair. Be careful and don’t climb over (or fall under) the fence. It is very hard to contain yourself and not test your echo. Head back to the trail split and follow the trail around and in a little over 2 miles you will reach the County Park, where, if you planned it right, your vehicles are waiting. There is a neat little excursion into the jumbled rocks region and is well worth the effort. Take a camera as the rocks seem to change as the sun plays games especially in late afternoon. While at the Park Headquarters visit the small, but well maintained, visitor center. Sometimes, owls and other birds are available for viewing as they are cared for prior to release into the wilderness. If you don’t have the time for the full hike, of if your Scouts are not up to this level of hiking, make it a point still to visit the Devil’s Punchbowl and, at least, have a picnic. You can even watch the rock climbers as they try to scale the shear walls.
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