Snow at Round Valley?

[queenbee]

Hi all. Just discovered this board. What a wealth of information you are!

I will be backpacking for my first time with a group of more experienced hikers on May 21st up to Round Valley. We're taking the tram up Fri., hiking to the campground, then hopefully summiting San Jacinto on Saturday. Staying another night at Round Valley then headed back to the tram on Sunday.

Looking at the weather report, looks like there is still snow on the ground. Anyone going up or have been up this way recently to let me know the conditions at the campground and on the trail up to the peak. Wondering if I need to go rent crampons or not.

Thanks!

[Hikin_Jim]

Welcome to the board.

I haven't been up lately, so I won't comment directly on snow conditions, but read through some of the recent posts and you may be able to get an idea of the conditions.

Also, I'm sure that some people will go up this weekend, so you may get a direct response to your question.

Anyone going up or have been up this way recently to let me know the conditions at the campground and on the trail up to the peak. Wondering if I need to go rent crampons or not.

If you find a place that rents crampons, I'd be interested in knowing about it. I've not heard of any place that does that, probably because of liability issues since crampons are dangerous.

HJ

[queenbee]

Thanks, Jim, for the info. Yes, I've read quite a few posts and it sounds like there is still alot of snow up there. But some of the posts are weeks old, so just wanted to see if there were any updates.

A guy in my group that is going up rented crampons from REI. I haven't actually checked into it myself, but he had to rent them himself for another hike he went on.

QB

[bluerail]

there is still snow up to the peak, you could probably do fine without crampons when the snow is a little soft during the day, coming down late when the snows hard again, I have worn my spikes. But could do without them, if I were being careful.

the peak, for the most part, is still under several feet of snow.

Not exactly sure about Round Valley, but Tamarack up to base of Miller saddle (comparable to RV) has many melted spots where it is down to open ground...nice for a tent