Hello all

[Jedi5150]

Howdy, new guy here. I was linked to this site by folks at summitpost.org when I asked about questions for an upcoming Mt. San Jacinto trip.

I'm planning a 2 or 3 day solo backpacking trip in the next few weeks (likely the third week of March). I'll be taking the tram from Palm Springs and then goofing off up top. I may attempt to go to the summit or I might just do a bit of winter camping. Does anybody know what the best foot gear would be for that time period? I know they rent snowshoes up top but I'm not sure about crampons. On the other forum someone suggested that for hiking, crampons might be better this time of year. I don't own any so if there is somewhere to rent some that would be great.

Any other information that you think would be helpful would be greatly appreciated. I know they used to allow dogs on the tram, as long as they are muzzled. Is that still the case? I've only ever been to the top during summer. I have my campfire permit (not sure if it is needed), and I believe I'll have to get a camping permit at the ranger station up top. I'll be going on weekdays, so I'm hoping it won't be too crowded.

Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance.

[Blooty]

Greetings Jedi,

I can't speak for current conditions to the summit but it sounds as if you'll just need snow shoes. Ellen here would be the best one for current beta as she seems to be hiking all the time.

I can say that dogs are not allowed on the tram. You can bring dogs up the Devils slide trail on the other side (Idylwild) of the mountain.

Have fun, snow has finally arrived. Bout time!! Enjoy it while it lasts....

[Jedi5150]

Hi Blooty, I appreciate the head's up. That's unfortunate about dogs not being allowed on the tram. I may have to rethink our plans. I really prefer not to hike without a dog. In the past I know they used to allow them on the tram, as long as they were muzzled. But I just checked the tram website and you are definitely correct. They now say no pets.

[recordalley]

I have been up the tram since day one & dogs were never allowed except when they used to have dog sled races in the 60s & of course SAR.

[lilbitmo]

Howdy, new guy here. I was linked to this site by folks at summitpost.org when I asked about questions for an upcoming Mt. San Jacinto trip.

I might be the guilty one that sent you over here from the summitpost.org site

To address the dogs more closely, dog's are not allowed anywhere in the State Park - it's one of those quirks that drive me crazy as I have three dogs - you can take them anywhere else in the surrounding "San Bernadino Mountains" which if you look at the map is everything up to the State Park Boundary - so if you are looking to get camping in mixed with the company of your favorite dog and head to the summit you are limited on what you can do. There's camping with the dog on the ridge that faces Palm Springs outside the Park boundary called Laws Camp or go further to Caramba Overlook, but it's a long way from the summit from there and you cannot bring the dog with you to the summit "legally". I have seen dogs in the park but the person doing it knew they were breaking the state park rule, they laughed when I asked if they knew the rule.

As Blooty suggested you can head up into the wilderness from Humber Park in Idyllwild up a trail called Devils Slide, then take the Desert Divide Trail over to the camping area mentioned above - you can see state park map Here.

There's snow up there now, about 2 feet in some areas, so winter boots maybe needed to stay safe and comfortable.

I would call the ranger station for the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild, not the State Park Rangers to get a legal camp site and information about that.

Have fun and enjoy

[Jedi5150]

Thanks for the added information, Lilbitmo. When it comes to dogs in state parks, I agree, it is a pretty stupid law in my humble opinion. If push came to shove I could probably get away with it, depending on the ranger I run into, seeing as both my dogs are service dogs (one is my police K9 partner, the other is a narcotics detection dog). But since they wouldn't be being used in an official capacity at the time, it probably wouldn't be all that ethical. Besides, the tram is privately owned (as far as I can tell), and their policy is no dogs.

As much as I'd like to hike near San Jacinto in the winter, I might have to wait for a time when someone can watch the pooches.

[Cy Kaicener]

I remember seeing this movie where a guy in Australia was not allowed to take his dog with him on the train, so he said the dog was a seeing eye dog for the blind

He is a link where a dog was allowed on the tram (not search and rescue)
http://blog.beckycockrum.com/?p=652

PS - i am not recommending that you fake it

[Jedi5150]

I remember seeing this movie where a guy in Australia was not allowed to take his dog with him on the train, so he said the dog was a seeing eye dog for the blind

He is a link where a dog was allowed on the tram (not search and rescue)
http://blog.beckycockrum.com/?p=652

PS - i am not recommending that you fake it

Hmmmm. Maybe if I stumble a lot and wear really dark glasses...

When my wife and I called the tram company about a year ago because we were planning a trip, they did state that dogs were allowed to the top of the tram if muzzled. According to Recordalley, that was never the case. It's certainly possible the person we spoke with over the phone was simply unclear on their policy.

I can say for a certainty, that the most fun I've ever had backpacking involved trips with the dogs. My dogs love the snow (we don't live where it snows), and have an absolute blast. Their energy sort of rubs off on you when you're hiking.

[SimonBentley]

If you have a legal need and own a service dog , it will be allowed to acompany you on the tram .............make sure you have all the needed paperwork available though !

[lilbitmo]

I can say for a certainty, that the most fun I've ever had backpacking involved trips with the dogs. My dogs love the snow (we don't live where it snows), and have an absolute blast. Their energy sort of rubs off on you when you're hiking.

Not to shift to another wilderness but the North Side of Mount San Gorgonio has plenty of places to camp in the snow, great area and dogs are allowed there.

If you still want to camp in the San Jacinto's, go up through Idyllwild, get your permit from the San Bernadino National Forest guys in Idyllwild, tell them you are in the position you are in and that the dogs are working professionals per se and then ask them for permission to go to the summit on special permit, they might just allow it. In reality if your are using the dogs the way you have suggested, then even when off duty those dog's are in training, so that might be enough to persuade them to allow it, don't know you'll have to ask.

I just don't see the Tram folks allowing it unless it official business, but if they do, it's going to be embarrassing for that one person on the tram ride up or down who decided "that day" was the day he/she was going to grab a "smoke" in the wilderness and kick it, when you dog starts pointing at them and their face turns "red"

However it works out, if you are out there in either wilderness and you see any of us from the board, say hello and it will be nice to meet the dogs. I have three now all labs and the wife and I help two foster agencies find homes for "labs" before they are put down, we have one here right now.

I used to hike and climb with a great dog that got liver cancer two years ago, she was only 4 years old, she covered well over 400 miles of trails with me and plenty of summits both winter and summer, broke my heart when they found the cancer - it was too late.

Good luck

Patrick/lilbitmo