First overnight hike on the west coast. Need advice.

[adepssimius]

Hello all,

My brother and I grew up in NH hiking the white mountains, but we aren't familiar with all the great terrain out here. We are pretty experienced summer and winter hikers and have summited Mt. Washington in the winter a few times (and attempted it many times more than that).

We were thinking about this loop here which I found on a blog here but I am unsure of the conditions on the trails or which trails those are (except for the well-labeled PCT). My map is ordered and on the way, but until I have it I will have to rely on your collective trail ID expertise. We are thinking Dec 11-13.

With that said... What kind of weather should we be expecting? I found a nearby forecast here and current conditions here. Are those reasonably accurate resources for this hike?

Will we need microspikes? crampons? ice axes?

How is the wind up high? I'm used to needing 3 points of contact but I need to know if I have to dress for that wind.

Is this reasonable time-wise? I'm used to much steeper ascents and having to boulder for long stretches. I think this is a reasonable plan for 2 experienced hikers in their early 20's but I just need a sanity check.

[lilbitmo]

All of that is doable.

There's a post on this website here

And that same person's TR from there blog site here

Keep an eye on the weather as some storms will hit the San Jacinto's and not other ranges so it's important to check that, I would check NOAA's website for Idyllwild as well as what the person for the tram posts, two opinions are better than one.

You will notice that there's some snow but not a significant amount so micro spikes should be enough and enough hikers should have passed through by the time you do the hike that it will be easy to follow the trails.

When you come up out of Humber Park and get to Saddle Junction you will find tape blocking off some of the trails from the fire we had this past year. Follow the PCT north until you get to the sign that says Wellmans Divide to the right, PCT to the left it's fairly easy to find.

Just make sure you have Map and Compass or GPS and map.

Are you getting permit on at the ranger station in Idyllwild or getting it though the mail? Permits are required for overnight camping in the State Park.

The sections from the Summit to the west back to the PCT and through Little Round Valley are some of the best that Southern California has to offer, you'll love it.

Lilbitmo/Patrick
Enjoy

[63ChevyII]

Welcome from another New Hampshirite! What part of NH are you from? I grew up in Claremont and lived in Nashua for a bit. My wife is from Grantham.

I don't have much to add in terms of info for you, but wanted to say hi.

Good luck and have fun. I hope you post a trail report.

[arocknoid]

Welcome to the board, B.

You and Sam should have no trouble with the physical demands of the hike, especially regarding:

I'm used to much steeper ascents and having to boulder for long stretches.

unless you opt for some XC exploration.

You've picked a real corker of a beautiful hike, BTW. Among the most fabulous in SoCal.

Keep an eye on the NOAA forecast

Mt SJ Forecast

It does get windy, so be prepared esp. tent-wise.

Weekend forecast for above (Dec 7):
"Saturday: Snow, mainly before 4pm. High near 25. Wind chill values as low as -5. Windy, with a west wind 40 to 45 mph, with gusts as high as 75 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. Windy, with a west wind 45 to 55 mph, with gusts as high as 85 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. "

Dec 11-13 looks better, on the longer range model at this point--highs in low 40s, lows in 30s, no storm und drag on the horizon

You won't need:

Will we need microspikes? crampons? ice axes?

However, it might be a good idea to bring along LOLWUT linkage for luck. (insert smileycon here)
Cold weather makes photobombing Raptorettes head down the mountain, too. heh. or stiffen into a state of immobility that resembles rigor mortis..

kind regards,
Arocknoid

[climbant]

Those wind gust can be a you know what. Choose your sight well, it sounds like a very fun getaway.

[Norris]

Hi, I would expect snow on the ground based on the storm coming in this weekend. So if you can postpone to get better weather you might consider it. The first day is going to be pretty long and tough with overnight packs. And as the blog you referenced mentioned, the second day is not so exciting. An alternative might be to take the Deer Springs trail up to Little Round Valley on the first day, then go to the summit with only a day pack or lunch the next day. On the way back, instead of returning on the trail to Little Round Valley you could go cross country from the saddle below the peak to visit the summit of Jean Peak and then the summit block of Marion Mountain, then descend cross country via the drainage shown as a blue line on the San Jacinto quad that runs from the source labelled Deer Springs down to the Deer Springs trail near Deer Springs trail camp. From there it is a short hike back up the trail you took the first day to regain your camp in LRV. Then hike out the way you came to Deer Springs trailhead. This assumes you are comfortable going cross-country with map and compass or GPS. You'll want a better map than the one linked to. It doesn't show the details I referred to.

[Hikin_Jim]

I might be more in favor of something along the lines Norris' route. The middle day of the other route seemed a bit limited.

I've mapped out the route. Follow the green line on day one, all trail. Camp at Little Round Valley. On day two, just take day packs up to San Jacinto Peak. You could just call it a day when you get back to Little Round Valley, but you guys sound like you could handle more. If it were me, I'd pick up my pack and follow the gold line XC through the high country. Really good stuff! You could do some or all of the peaks indicated, depending on how time was running. From Marion Mountain, I like the route shown in gold; the route Norris was suggesting is shown in yellow.

Either route will get you back to the PCT in the vicinity of Deer Springs "Camp". It's called a camp, buy only state employees are allowed to camp there.

You'll have to hike south to the trail junction where the PCT leaves the Deer Springs Trail and heads East (Strawberry Camp).

The last day would be a pretty easy, short hike out.

HJ

[Perry]

The windiest part is usually the last 100 feet near the peak. In a storm it can be difficult to stand up there. Drop 100 feet into the trees and it's much easier.