New to San Jacinto looking for good route.

[Go Diego Go]

I have never hiked San Jacinto before and will be trying it for the first time this mid Oct. Just looking for any leads to the best ways up and which camp ground is better LRV or RV? I started off thinking Deer Springs to LRV looked good but when I called the Rangers at Idyllwild was told there was no water on that route. Now I am torn between Devils Slide or Fullers Ridge. 10 mile days are fine (just dont want to carry two days of water) and it does not matter if we hit the peak the first or second day. I just want a nice trail with trees, views, rocks, and water.

Thanks for any help

[Sally]

Welcome to the board, Go Diego Go.
If you want trees, views, rocks, and water maybe Fuller Ridge might be your trail. There is no water on the trail until you are practically to the Deer Springs Trail, so you would probably want to pitch your tent in LRV. I don't know what the Rangers in Idyllwild were thinking, because there was water in LRV last week, and it looks likely to be there for at least a couple more weeks.

[Go Diego Go]

Thank you Sally,
Looking forward to this hike very much and your info is a big help. It sounds like Fuller is a great hike and it is only 5 miles to Deer Springs with the least amount of elevation gain and if there is water there it will be a lot less weight for me. Can you tell me anything you know about LRV camp site compared to Round Valley camp site? Is one more scenic then the other or less populated?

Thank you again
Jon

[Ulysses]

Went up Deer Springs to the peak 3 weeks ago and there was plenty of water at Deer Springs and Little RV and several places in between. It has been hot here since, but I can't imagine that it has dried up entirely. That is a great hike, and aptly named. I always see plenty of deer up there.

I prefer Little RV to RV (usually less people).