Toro Peak, Summit in Santa Rosa Mountains, California, United States

Toro Peak is the highest summit of the Santa Rosa Mountains, rising to 8,717 ft (2,657 m) in Riverside County, about 15 miles south of Palm Springs. Its summit and the 1939 USGS marker there lie behind a locked gate on Santa Rosa Indian Reservation land, while other parts of the mountain fall under San Bernardino National Forest and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

The 8,717 ft summit and the USGS marker registered there in 1939 lie behind a locked gate on land controlled by the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation, while other parts of the mountain fall under the San Bernardino National Forest and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The dirt access road climbs from 4,700 ft to a gate near 8,200 ft, leaving a 500 ft hike past a former MCI power generator, now owned by Verizon, that supplies electricity to the summit.

The summit and the USGS marker placed there in 1939 lie behind a locked gate on Santa Rosa Indian Reservation land, so the top is reached on foot from about 8,200 feet. The dirt access road climbs roughly 13 miles from 4,700 feet and passes a Verizon-owned generator that supplies power to the peak.

The journey involves driving on dirt roads and hiking on uneven terrain, so visitors should prepare for variable mountain conditions. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are essential for this kind of outing.

The elevation supports a rare mix of tree species that typically grow at different heights in other areas. Finding Incense Cedar, White Fir, Jeffrey Pine, and Limber Pine growing together is uncommon for this part of California.