The Hermit of the Santa Rosas

When I was very young we went up santa rosa trail (?)  I know it was steep and not in good repair.  There we found a cabin and a log tower my dad told me had belonged to a hermit until he died.  It might have been on Jack Rabbit Peak, but I know we turned left (coming from Palm Desert) off the 74 to get there. 

The story I was told is that this man (I totally forget his man) had decided he hated everything to do with everyone, so he moved up on the mountain.  He had one friend (perhaps brother) who lived on the valley floor and watched at certain times for a signal from the hermit.  That was the most important function of the tower.  They had worked out a system and the hermit would climb the tower with his mirror and signal to his friend what he needed, supplies, etc.

We were not allowed to climb the tower but my dad and his friends did.  They said you could see a very long way. 

I did not go back until the mid 70s for a youth group campout.  The tower was in ruins and the roof was gone off the cabin.

Next time I attemped to go in the mid 80s the road was so rutted we couldn't get past in our mini truck. 

Haven't thought of this place in years.  Do any of you remember it?