Mt San Jacinto Monday

[Spetrolino]

I'm totally unfamiliar with Mt San Jacinto but since I have Monday off I'd like to hike to the summit. I'd like to hike the trail "that has it all." Any ideas which one to the summit fits the bill? I'm in very good shape so I don't mind a challenge. Fuller Ridge keeps popping up when I do searches. Is this the one? If so, is it difficult to find the trailhead from the ranger station in the dark? Is there water along trail to pump or do I plan on humping my own water? Are there any hiking maps online to print so I have something to plot my progress on(I do carry a GPS-it's nice to have both)? I'm coming from Redlands so it's not real convenient to drive out to the ranger station prior. Any help would be much appreciated-thanks!

[Halohiker]

Hi!

My vote goes to Humber Park (in Idyllwild) to the summit. It's about 16 miles roundtrip, and I love the scenery! If you were available on Tuesday, I'd invite you to hike with me. I'm very fit and will hike SOMEWHERE on Tues.

The only thing is, you do have to stop at the ranger station, but on the weekdays you can do a self issue permit outside. It's no big deal.

Happy hiking!

[Hikin_Jim]

Liz's suggestion of Mt. San Jacinto from Humber Park is a good one. You can arrive as early as you want at the Ranger Station, self issue your permit, and then head out. The trail head is relatively near the Ranger Station.

The trailhead for Fuller Ridge, on the other hand, is some distance away from the Ranger Station and generally requires backtracking. Fuller ridge is one of the least used routes to the top (the most used being from the tram), and, if you start in San Gorgonio Pass, will offer you everything from desert to alpine scenery. Long hike, though, and a lot of backtracking from the Ranger Station. Fuller Ridge from San Gorgonio Pass is probably the longest regular route to the peak.

The steepest route, if you want to test your strength, is via the Marion Mountain Trail.

[jfr]

The Humber Park/Devil's Slide trail is a good trail for a fit person dayhiking. Or so the people passing me and my full pack always tell me! Start early when it's still cool.

Here's a link to the park's .pdf map:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/636/files/MtSanJacintoSPmap.pdf

And here (I hope) is a link to the ACME Mapper online topo/google map:
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=33.76465,-116.68573&z=16&t=T&marker0=33.76465%2C-116.68573%2C1.4%20km%20NW%20of%20Tahquitz%20Peak%20CA

There's usually water just below Wellman's Divide - it's a bunch of drippings along the hillside called Wellman's Cienega. See the water thread:
http://www.mtsanjacinto.info/viewtopic.php?t=1629

Have fun, and don't forget to bring your camera! And a National Forest Parking permit for Humber Park.

[neverwashasbeen]

Fuller Ridge, some of the finest views you could hope to see. Map and route description available at the San Bernardino National Forest Website.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/

[Spetrolino]

Thanks for all the help!