Beginners on San jacinto

[Igw]

My fiance and I are heading up the tram weekend after holloween. I'm trying to get my fiance into backpacking and figured a two day camp and hike to the summit would be a nice way to ease her into it, but I'm not familiar with the mountain. Any thoughts or suggestions on which campsite? Also any suggestions on how to make the trip as nice as possible for a first timer?

[Wildhorse]

Round Valley and Tamarack campgrounds are a little over two miles from the tram. The state park website has information about permits, the campground and possibly about water.

The only possible drawback to this plan is that the elevation is high enough to cause sleeplessness and other high altitude problems, which could be quite discouraging for a beginner.

[Sally]

Wildhorse's suggestion is by far the easiest way to ease into backpacking San Jacinto. Some hikers will have issues sleeping at high elevation if not used to altitude.
My favorite place to pitch a tent is Little Round Valley which sets you up for a fairly short hike to the Peak. But it would be a much more strenuous and longer hike as you would probably want to start from the Idyllwild side. I would use the Deer Springs trailhead. If you get an early start from LRV you can watch the sunrise from the Peak, a very special treat. This is an OK 1st backpack trip, but only for very fit hikers that have been at high altitude.

[Sally]

Sorry, I just noticed that you are starting from the tram. As for suggestions to make it nice as possible, make sure she has enough warm clothing and an adequate sleeping bag. It has finally gotten nippy up there! I work at an outdoor store and the #1 complaint I hear from gals after a trip is that they froze at night, especially the feet. A fresh pair of warm socks (that weren't worn hiking up) is helpful.

[Igw]

Thank for all the suggestions! I used to be an avid camper/backpacker, and after 5 years, I've finally talked my significant other into doing the same. She has always been the bathroom, shower, blow up mattress, two burner stove type. Now I just need to make sure she doesn't hate it, and gets a good enough view that she wants to do more. (Or at least that's what I'm hoping.)

[hawkbill666]

I recently went through the same thing with my 18 year old daughter who had always refused to hike. Try some luxurious things with your camp food. Find packable versions of her favorite types of foods and spring those on her if she is having a down moment.
One of my favorites before bed is to boil water and put it into a fresh new Nalgene bottle, and then shove it all the way at the bottom of the sleeping bag. Get in 20 minutes later and the heat radiating across the bottom of the bag – heaven!

[Igw]

Nice, I'll have to give that a try. We did our little family trip this weekend at bogart park and it was an unmitigated desaster. First my inverter wasn't working so I couldn't blow up the matress. Drove into town to get a new one, but the the mattress sprung a leak. Then after she finally agreed to just sleep in the sleeping bag a bear came into our site while I was sitting by the fire (I realized ithat was there when I heard it breathing close.) We got there last night, and left this morning. Lol. Well see how Jacinto goes.

[backpackpack]

My fiance and I are heading up the tram weekend after holloween. I'm trying to get my fiance into backpacking and figured a two day camp and hike to the summit would be a nice way to ease her into it, but I'm not familiar with the mountain. Any thoughts or suggestions on which campsite? Also any suggestions on how to make the trip as nice as possible for a first timer?

Hello there, I thought I would comment since I did the same thing with my new bride just recently. She had not been backpacking before so I wanted the first trip to be great, lest she never want to go again. We took the tram up and stayed at Round Valley. It was great! Keep in mind this was during the hottest part of summer. It was 110 at the bottom, 70+ at the top, so it was very refreshing getting off the tram. I think it is a little colder now, but I can say that this was a great first trip for her because the tram takes you into the wilderness, and you can still hike a few miles. The sites are all secluded and quiet, and you definitely feel that you are in nature.

[arocknoid]

Nice, I'll have to give that a try. We did our little family trip this weekend at bogart park and it was an unmitigated desaster. First my inverter wasn't working so I couldn't blow up the matress. Drove into town to get a new one, but second, the mattress sprung a leak. Then after she finally agreed to just sleep in the sleeping bag, three, a bear came into our site while I was sitting by the fire (I realized ithat was there when I heard it breathing close.) We got there last night, and left this morning. Lol. Well see how Jacinto goes.

Good news for you on San Jac, Igw:

1. No need for an inverter. Less weight to carry! (No power anyway. ;)

2. You've no doubt already selected an alternative to the power-inflated leaky mattress-- which would be no use on SJ anyway. I would suggest keeping the fiancee happy(er) with a good mattress (e.g. Big Agnes) and warm sleeping bag. Nothing seems to chill enthusiasm as much as being cold and uncomfortable trying to sleep, except maybe:

3. a bear or other predator interested in a snack-- whether foodstuff or humanoid... Good news--no bears on San Jac!

All kidding aside, an overnight hike to Round Valley or Tamarack is a great intro to backpacking for the neophyte, with plenty of day hike exploration options.

Enjoy!