Mt. San Jacinto Outdoor Recreation

Hello everyone. I was driving back from the Sierras to San Diego with my kids and realized that I've been near the San Bernardino National Forest countless times but never considered it for backpacking. I did some reading up online, grabbed a topo (Tom Harrison), and am planning on doing a trip with my daughter from the South Fork Campground (parking across the street, I called the ranger station and they said that's fine) along Lost Creek Trail. We'll spend the night at Grinnel Ridge campground area, then hike back out the same way. Two days, one night.

I'm a somewhat experienced backpacker, primarily in the Sierras and White Mountains (New Hampshire). The weather looks okay, currently a 20% chance of rain at night so I'll keep my eye on that. Frontal system coming through (wind backing wind out of the SSW, low pressure).

I sent in my wilderness permit, and otherwise am just looking for any advice from you folks. I'll be carrying enough water that we won't need to re-up anywhere.

And thanks to "Hiker Jim", if it's the same guy with the blog, I got most of my info from you.

619backpacker wrote:Hello everyone. I was driving back from the Sierras to San Diego with my kids and realized that I've been near the San Bernardino National Forest countless times but never considered it for backpacking. I did some reading up online, grabbed a topo (Tom Harrison), and am planning on doing a trip with my daughter from the South Fork Campground (parking across the street, I called the ranger station and they said that's fine) along Lost Creek Trail. We'll spend the night at Grinnel Ridge campground area, then hike back out the same way. Two days, one night.

I'm a somewhat experienced backpacker, primarily in the Sierras and White Mountains (New Hampshire). The weather looks okay, currently a 20% chance of rain at night so I'll keep my eye on that. Frontal system coming through (wind backing wind out of the SSW, low pressure).

I sent in my wilderness permit, and otherwise am just looking for any advice from you folks. I'll be carrying enough water that we won't need to re-up anywhere.

And thanks to "Hiker Jim", if it's the same guy with the blog, I got most of my info from you.

I'm not sure when you plan to go, but the trail is in good condition unless something has happened relatively recently. You have to watch for where the Lost Creek Trail leaves the Santa Ana River Trail, but it's pretty clearly marked.

You're probably smart to carry your water. If you did run out, if you continue down the trail one mile past Grinnell Ridge Camp, you'll come to the S Fork of the Santa Ana River, and there will definitely be water there. There's also a small spring maybe a 1/4 mile east of Grinnell Ridge Camp, Mosquito Spring, but it's hard to find, and I am not sure that it would have water this year.

For the location of the aforementioned junction, of Mosquito Spring, and of the S. Fork of the Santa Ana River, see this Map of the Area.

And, yes, I'm the nut case with the blog.

HJ

Once you set up camp I'd recommend walking on over to the trail junction with the SF trail. There's a very nice meadow about 1/4 mile on up the SF trail once you get to the stream, and with the water there as well it's a very nice place to spend some time. Not real far, not real steep, and very pleasant. Just a thought. Hope you two have a nice father/daughter adventure.

z