Water Conditions

[John]

Any chance that there still might be some reliable, on-trail water sources in the San G area to support 2-3 on an overnight? Perhaps in the Vivian Creek or Southfork areas?

Thanks,
John

[AlanK]

There is certainly water flowing at Vivian Creek Camp and High Creek Camp. I have not been on the south side for a while, so I will wait for someone who knows to chime in about that.

[Felipe de España]

We'll be up this weekend. Agua can also be found at Half Way,
just before the campsite areas you cross a stream bed.
At this point, drop your pack-hike up the stream bed
(less than a 1/4mile)and you got agua.
I'd filter here, I normally don't at Vivian Creek or High Creek.
See ya at the top.....of San G. that is..... on Sunday.
Felipe de España

[Felipe de España]

Futhermore, www.sgwa.org has a board with lots of info and updates
on the wilderness "ACROSS the I-10". Many of the same folks here,
post their too.

[John]

OK, thanks. It's looking like John's Meadow via Forsee Creek Trail based on the website info.

[Felipe de España]

Great place, only 700ft of elevation gain, easy hike!
Great views of the power a White Dragon has.......
aka.... "Avalanche!!!" that hit the first steaming crossing
2 or 3 years ago -just before you come into the camp.
Have a blast!

[Hikin_Jim]

OK, thanks. It's looking like John's Meadow via Forsee Creek Trail based on the website info.

There's plenty of water at Johns Meadow, but if you want a 2-3 day back pack, I'm not so sure. You can make a nice loop by taking the Forsee Basin Trail to Johns Meadow then on up to the SB Peak Trail (you have to take an unmaintained section of trail to gain the ridge, but it's in good shape), once on the ridge, you would turn left and ascend SB and East SB Peaks, and then descending via the Forsee Ridge Trail. The problem is where to spend night #2. There's no water currently at Trail Fork Spgs.

A better option might be the Momyer Creek loop which ascends from the Momyer Cr TH straight up to the SB Divide, turns right and goes to Dollar Lake Saddle, and the descends back to the Momyer TH via the Falls Creek and Alger Creek trails. You would spend the first night at Alger Cr TC (good water, was there 2 weeks ago), and then the second night at High Meadow Spgs (not great flow but is flowing), and then hike out on the third day.

One can also take the Vivian Cr Trail to High Cr Camp, spend the night, and then ascend San Gorgonio or other peaks in the area the second day, returning to your base camp at High Crk. On the third day you'd hike out.

Note: Any trails originating in Mill Creek are quite steep.

You could also use Lodgepole Trail Camp (accessible from the S Fork or Fish Creek TH's) as a base camp and climb several interesting 10,000+ foot peaks from there (Lake, Grinell, 10K Ridge, Zahniser, San Gorgonio).

There's actually qutie a few more options if you like XC hiking.

Hope that helps.