Campsites

[zagnut]

I am planning a trip from the westside within a month. I have been considering routes and campsites. I was wondering if anybody could tell me about the routes of "Strawberry Junction" or "Devils Slide". I was also curious about the campsites of "Round Valley" and "Little Round Valley" do they water, bear boxes? Do you need to bring a bear canister? Any info would be appreciated.

[Hikin_Jim]

Wow! Pretty open ended, sweeping questions.

You might want to do a bit of homework first so that you can post more specific questions. You might consider getting a copy of John Robinson's classic, Trails of the San Bernardinos which has an excellent section on the San Jacinto Mountains.

By the way, there are no bear boxes that I'm aware of in the SJ Wilderness. You'll need to bring with you whatever bear mitigation measures you deem necessary. Counterbalancing is generally ineffective against bears.

Whatever trail you take, I think you'll have a good hike. They're all good.

HJ

[zagnut]

Thanks for the bear info. I haven't hiked this particular mountain, thats why I was curious about a few things. I have a map and that's where I got the information I had. I expect to have a lot of fun and for it not to be to difficult. Interesting tone in the helpful information.

[zippetydude]

"Interesting tone in the helpful information."

Hey HJ, wassup? Didn't sound like you. Don't tell me, let me guess...you're a UCLA fan, and the only team you like better than UCLA is Ohio State!

Well, at least we know FIGHT ON is happy!

zagnut: I'm not familiar with the trails on the west side (except for Marion), but I don't think that bears are a problem anywhere in the San Jacinto Wilderness, so I doubt you'll run into any problems there.

Water supply might be a different story. Perhaps someone who has been on those trails recently can give you a current update. Not much info, but hope this helps.

z

[Rob]

Whatever trail you take, I think you'll have a good hike. They're all good.

I agree with what Jim said. They're all good trails on the west side of SJ. You can't pick a bad one. The worst part is having to leave when it's time to head home.

[Rob]

Hey HJ, wassup? Didn't sound like you. Don't tell me, let me guess...you're a UCLA fan, and the only team you like better than UCLA is Ohio State!

Jim's alma mater didn't play last weekend. Could be something else. HJ, when in doubt, apologize to your bride and give her flowers, for no particular reason.

[Rob]

I have been considering routes and campsites.

Zagnut, the Ranger Station at Idyllwild has a permit self-issue desk, so arrival time is not critical; however, I suggest that you talk to Rangers in person or by phone to understand completely where it is that they want you to set up camp. I got into trouble once for camping inside the correct zone, but not close enough to the center of the zone. Also, when you preplan which campsite is your first choice, have a back-up plan for 2nd choice. It's possible for a camping zone to "sell out", and if you're hiking by headlamp, you'll be happier if you preentered GPS waypoints to all campsites on your wish list.

[Newmountaineer]

"Interesting tone in the helpful information."

Hey HJ, wassup? Didn't sound like you. Don't tell me, let me guess...you're a UCLA fan, and the only team you like better than UCLA is Ohio State!

Well, at least we know FIGHT ON is happy!

zagnut: I'm not familiar with the trails on the west side (except for Marion), but I don't think that bears are a problem anywhere in the San Jacinto Wilderness, so I doubt you'll run into any problems there.

Water supply might be a different story. Perhaps someone who has been on those trails recently can give you a current update. Not much info, but hope this helps.

z

Too funny. Actually, my UCLA summed it up nicely: "I'd rather lose to BYU and be a Bruin than win a football game and be a Trojan!" We all know how much USC fans define their existence by the success of failure of their football team. Lucky for them, they've been very good lately!

[zippetydude]

Once the Rams and Raiders left town, I had to decide whether I wanted to give up rooting for football completely, or choose a new group of highly paid athletes that have criminal records to root for. I made my decision: Go USC!

Okay, now that I have alienated every possible football fan in southern California (Oops! Left out the Chargers! Can you say, "Watch out for the two point conversion!"?) my work is complete.

z