If you love hiking, Tahquitz Peak in the Idyllwild, California should be on your list. It's a favorite for adventurers, hiking enthusiasts, and generally anyone looking to feel accomplished by hitting a peak and back at their car in a couple hours. Recently, I took my morning to hike the 8.3 mile hike via Devils Slide Trail to both review the trail and compare two popular trekking poles from Black Diamond: the Trail Ergo and the Distance-Z.
In this post, I’ll share my experience on the trail and compare these two trekking poles to help you choose the best gear for your next adventure.
The Devils Slide Trail Experience
The Devils Slide Trail begins just outside of Idyllwild at Humber Park. Right off the bat it offers breathtaking views of Southern California’s mountains. Starting early in the morning, the fresh mountain air will smack you right in the face (you are about a mile up, so you might be a little more out of breath than you'd expect).
The first part of the trail from the trailhead up to Saddle Junction is about 2.5 miles and takes you through dense forests filled with tall pines and great views of Suicide Rock across the way and San Jacinto Peak mounding up off to your left. The initial climb is steep, making it a solid workout for hikers like me who enjoy a good challenge (that's a nice way to put it, it's more like putting myself through pain.)
As you climb higher, you're going to hit several switchbacks, each offering a thought of, when will it end? Eventually things start to even out and you come to what looks like a GREAT spot to camp and lots of signs pointing various directions - Saddle Junction - though camping is not allowed right at the junction. No worries, if you plan to camp there are tons of spots if you head straight towards the valley or even off to the right as your head towards Tahquitz Peak. At the junction, keep to the right-most trail, which is marked for Tahquitz peak and the PCT (southbound). At this point, it's about another 1.5 miles of what I would call moderate hiking (thought the last bit before the peak will send you a little steeper).
So, heading out from the junction to the right - you'll go a little over a mile before seeing a vast amount of dead trees straight ahead on a hillside. There should be a sign directing you to either Tahquitz Valley trail to your left or the peak to your right. Right it is.
After a quick jaunt, you'll reach another sign that sends you back down towards Idyllwild along a little more treacherous South Ridge Trail or you go up to the left towards the peak. You'll know that you've reached the summit when you come upon the fire lookout! The summit of Tahquitz Peak was a rewarding experience, showcasing sweeping views of the little communities below, and to the mountains beyond. It's moments like these that make hiking worthwhile.
Head back down the way you came and you'll be good to go! The hike clocks in around 4-5 hours and is around 8.3 miles roundtrip.
The Trekking Pole Review
The natural beauty of the trail was captivating, but the rocky and uneven terrain made trekking poles a game changer. Not only along this trail, but especially when you're bearing a lot of weight on long-distance thru-hiking. I tested the Black Diamond Trail Ergo and Distance-Z trekking poles, each offering different features for different hiking needs.
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Trekking Poles
The Trail Ergo poles focus on stability and comfort, which was clear from my first use. The ergonomic grips provided a solid hold during steep climbs, and the adjustable wrist straps helped reduce strain, making it easier to hike for extended periods.
Constructed from durable aluminum, these poles felt reliable on the rugged trail. I especially liked the dual density grips, which offered great traction even on tricky sections. The flick-lock mechanism made adjusting the pole length quick and easy, which is essential for varying terrain.
However, the Trail Ergo poles weigh about 1 pound and 5 ounces per pair. While this is slightly heavy compared to other models, the stability and durability were worth it during my hike, as well as on hikes where I have a heavier load on my back.
Black Diamond Distance-Z Trekking Poles
In contrast, the Distance-Z poles were built for those who value weight and compactness. Weighing just 1 pound per pair, they are a fantastic choice for hiking where every ounce matters, or trail running where you may want a little support here and there.
The Z-Pole technology allows these poles to fold down compactly, making them convenient to store in a backpack. However, I did notice they felt less stable on uneven ground compared to the Trail Ergo poles.
While the grips were comfortable, they didn’t provide the same level of traction as the Trail Ergo, which is something to consider on steep climbs.
I go over these comparisons a little more extensively in my video below:
Key Comparisons
Weight and Portability
Trail Ergo: At 1 pound and 5 ounces, slightly heavier but very sturdy.
Distance-Z: Lightweight at just 1 pound, ideal for the weight uber-weight conscious hiker or trail runners.
Stability and Durability
Trail Ergo: Offers excellent stability on rough terrain due to robust aluminum construction. Also comes with snow baskets so that's extremely helpful if hiking in snow.
Distance-Z: Lightweight but can feel less stable on uneven surfaces. No snow basket inclusion, though I believe the newer design is compatible with specific snow baskets for purchase.
Grip and Comfort
Trail Ergo: Features dual density grips that are comfortable and provide great traction during long hikes.
Distance-Z: Comfortable grips but lack the same traction as the Trail Ergo, especially on steep climbs.
Adjustability
Trail Ergo: User-friendly flick-lock mechanism allows for easy length adjustments.
Distance-Z: Collapsible design is compact for carrying but lacks height adjustments.
Final Thoughts on the Trail and Trekking Poles
The hike to Tahquitz Peak is an amazing hit if you're looking for some challenging terrain and incredible views right in Southern California. The trekking poles I chose played a big role in how enjoyable the hike was. For rugged trails and heavier weight carriers, I recommend the Black Diamond Trail Ergo poles for their stability and comfort. However, if you are looking for something lightweight where you're looking to save all the weight you possibly can, the Distance-Z poles would serve you well (just remember, many thru-hiking trails has you pass over snow so you would want to look into snow baskets).
Ultimately, your choice of trekking poles should depend on the specific conditions of the trails you tackle - though, I would probably choose the Trail Ergo so I can just cover all my bases. No matter what gear you choose, remember to enjoy the stunning beauty that places like Tahquitz Peak offer.
Happy hiking!
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