Mt. San Jacinto Outdoor Recreation

Some parts of the San Gorgonio Wilderness don't get no love. The Lost Creek Trail has that reputation, but I think it's worth a look.

Grinnell Ridge Camp is a lovely spot to spend the night and you're likely to have it all to yourself.


I've worked out a new route that cuts off a couple of miles (round trip) over the standard routes. The new route starts in East Barton Flats.

You do have to cross the S. Fork of the Santa Ana River, but this year, it's no challenge at all.


Oh, and did I mention there's a nearby spring, perhaps 1/4 mile from Grinnell Ridge Camp, a spring that nobody seems to know about?


If this sounds at all interesting, please see my trip report: East Barton Flats to Grinnell Ridge Camp

HJ

Hikin_Jim wrote:1/4 mile from Grinnell Ridge Camp, a spring that nobody seems to know about

I wonder how far into the season it continues to produce?

Good question. I was there last September, and I was able get plenty of water from the spring, but this is a very dry year. The water was looking low already when I visited on Sunday, 4/28/2013. The spring is always low flow, even in early season. I'm not sure when it might go dry if it ever does.

There's another, better spring about 1/4 mile past Mosquito Spring, but it's harder to find. I say better because the greenery was more extensive and the water was clearer. They look about the same in terms of flow. They're both just a little depression in the ground with water. The second spring had slightly higher flow.

Here's a map of the area.
Point "A" is Mosquito Spring. Position fairly accurate.
Point "B" is the second, better spring. Position very approximate.
Point "C" is the camp. Position highly accurate.

HJ

P.S. Joycie says "hi."

P.P.S. I added a map link to my original blog post that describes a 2 or 2.5 day loop trip around Grinnell Mountain. That's a very worthwhile backpacking trip that I recommend. It's not as well known as some of the other trips out there but is very nice. Look down in the "alternative routes" section.

HJ

Howdy Jim,

I don't know if i should thank you or poke you with a hatpin for bringing attention to another 'lesser-known' getaway in the SGW. At least you didn't spill *all* the beans on this one...

Might I emphasize that this year, 2nd drought year in a row, the water you mention will be ahem (*cough*) gone and dried by, say Juneteenth. Capische? (insert drywry emoticon here)

Nice TR and tips, HJ.
I'd wager there were more tasty victuals left out of the pics, eh?

GHJ: Gourmet Hikin' Jim

Oh, and Stephen Wright has a question for you: Is it kosher to use denatured alcohol on a nature hike?

howls and growls,
arocknoid

arocknoid wrote:Howdy Jim,

I don't know if i should thank you or poke you with a hatpin for bringing attention to another 'lesser-known' getaway in the SGW. At least you didn't spill *all* the beans on this one...

Oh, well, I better not mention Lost Creek Camp, another trail camp of yesteryear.


Nor Forester Flat, nor the areas below Dollar Lake Forks, nor Jamboree Flat, nor lower Fish Creek, Nor Upper Mineshaft Flat, nor any of the other traditional camp sites of the greater San Gorgonio area.

Some of the decisions as to where one may or may not camp in the San Gorgonio area seem awfully arbitrary to me.

arocknoid wrote:Might I emphasize that this year, 2nd drought year in a row, the water you mention will be ahem (*cough*) gone and dried by, say Juneteenth. Capische? (insert drywry emoticon here)

Of course. Which means that NO ONE should go there. Especially on a weekend that Arocknoid is going on.

arocknoid wrote:Oh, and Stephen Wright has a question for you: Is it kosher to use denatured alcohol on a nature hike?

What do I know? I'm a Goy, naturally.

HJ