South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak
Awesome experience on South Ridge on Saturday Aug 15th. I took the "shorter" version and drove up the road to get to the final trailhead. I'd hardly describe it as "harrowing" as the trail description says on AllTrails, but I'd recommend either higher clearance (4runner, rav4, outback) or just take your time and pick the right lines to get through the 2 troublesome spots. Stayed in 2wd the entire time with no isssue.
Clean trail, very easy to navigate, the ending is quick and the hut pops up out of nowhere. I was able to get to the tower before the ranger, so was able to peek inside the windows and see everything going on. The ranger came after I left and I could see him putting up the closed sign (around 8am).
Bugs came out later in the morning on the way down, about 9am. Not enough to pull out the bug net, but maybe later in the season. Plenty of opportunity to explore around the trailhead too - some sweet big boulders to climb and enjoy the end of the hike with.