Mt. San Jacinto

[Whitney Traveler]

Planning on taking my 7-year-old boy to Round Valley for one night, and then attempting to bag Mt. San Jacinto. Couple of questions:

1. Do I have to sterilize water at Round Valley?
2. If we're not going to make it, is there a natural turn-around spot along the trail?
3. Is it safe to leave my larger backpack at Round Valley for the day?

Thanks.

Larry

[Nick-SJM]

Comments in reply to your questions.

1. It is recommended that you treat the water obtained from the pipe at Round Valley Ranger Station. Treatment can consist of filtering, ultraviolet treatment (steripen), boiling or chemicals. Better safe than sorry.

2. I'm not sure what you mean by a "natural turn-around spot along the trail". You can (should) turn around anywhere when anyone in the party is getting too tired to proceed, injuries make proceeding difficult, you realize that pushing yourself or others is going to diminish the enjoyment of the hike, or you realize that you may not have adequate time to complete the trip before dark or an other time limitation. You particularly want to not push a seven year old too hard (or cause to feel bad that he was not up to the challenge). This trip could form the foundation as to how he feels about hiking for the rest of his life.

3. Some campers do leave backpacks in Round Valley when they go to the peak. I would leave them out of sight. Of course there is never a guaranty about what some other individual might do. Best guess is that they will be ok.

Take twice as much water as you think you will need.

Have a great time.

[Florian]

Hi Larry,

1. I would treat or filter the water myself but i know many people that don't with no problems.

2. Wellman's Divide is a mile from Round Valley with a nice view and makes a natural stoping point. From there the peak is about 2.5 more miles.

3. When i've camped at RV and hiked the peak the next day i always leave my tent set up and put my pack inside. Makes it a bit more difficult for someone to just walk off with all my stuff. But i've never had any problems with theft either way.

Have a fun trip!

-Florian

[physicslord]

Never had a person disturb my stuff but one time a raven ripped up my pack while I was bagging a peak. The bugger was still in the area when I got back watching me from above so I know it was a raven. I didn't have any food in there. I don't know what he was after.

Watch out for critters.

[lipbiter]

Larry - I'd trust what Nick-SJM has to say; he's a rescue hero

[halhiker]

I've never had a problem is over twenty years of drinking water from the pipe at RV but that's just me. Some people have said they fish rats out of the tank from time to time. Maybe that's why I'm so healthy; the amino acids have done me well.

From RV to Wellman is the toughest part. If you make that you should be OK the rest of the way but with a seven YO it just depends on how they feel. My 10 YO made it with ease.

I've left my stuff at RV with no problems but again, that's just me. Of course, when are going and what do you have? I need some new gear.

[Whitney Traveler]

Florian:

One more thing: Do I need a bear canister?javascript:emoticon(':P')

larry

Hi Larry,

1. I would treat or filter the water myself but i know many people that don't with no problems.

2. Wellman's Divide is a mile from Round Valley with a nice view and makes a natural stoping point. From there the peak is about 2.5 more miles.

3. When i've camped at RV and hiked the peak the next day i always leave my tent set up and put my pack inside. Makes it a bit more difficult for someone to just walk off with all my stuff. But i've never had any problems with theft either way.

Have a fun trip!

-Florian

[Nick-SJM]

No bear issues in the San Jacinto Mountains. There are no bears living in these mountains. It is true that every once in a while one wanders in from the San Bernardino Mountains, but they typically head for the dumpsters of Idyllwild (and now and then Palm Springs) and are then picked up and returned to north of the 10 freeway. As mentioned above, there may be other furry friends that may try to grab something from your camp, but no threat to you.