Laws/Caramba trip

[Hikin_Jim]

Thanks Hikin_Jim,

I always appreciate your detailed directions. In fact the first time my son and I went backpacking in San Jacinto we crossed paths just outside of Saddle Junction on our way to Law's and you pointed us down the right path.

In theory we should be lighter on the way out than on the way in ... both in pack weight and weight loss!

I'll discuss with my son tonight while looking over the trail map.

Mike

Hi, Mike,

Yes, I remember bumping into you in the meadow area. Good to have met you, and I'm happy I could point out the right trail.

With regard to Caramba, either way you go will be a good trip. If I'm coming in from Humber Park, I will often take the more northerly trail in (the one that goes through Willow Creek Crossing) and the more southerly trail out (the one that goes through the meadow where I met you). Makes for more interesting scenery. If you haven't ridden the tram up, it's a pretty cool ride, and you will see some different scenery than coming in from Humber Park. The down side of course is that it's about $50.00 for two people, but it's worth it to take the tram once in a while.

HJ

[Norris]

Hi Mike, just saw your questions. What HJ said
I actually didn't realize the distances were so comparable until I read HJ's post. Thinking about it, if I were to do it again, I think I would go the Humber Park route. For one thing, using the tram you are getting whisked to relatively high elevation and then hiking with a pack to Hidden Divide, versus a more gradual approach to gaining elevation from the Idyllwild side. And the hike out would be easier that way.

[Popper98]

We have never taken the tram and think that would be a nice alternative to climbing Devil's Slide. I hear ya about the quick elevation change though.

Two questions about the permits needed if we decided to go the tram route:

1. I've read there is overnight parking at the tram base. Will an Annual Adventure pass cover that parking?
2. We will need a Federal permit for our overnight camping in Caramba and I'm hoping we can get this at the lower or upper tram terminal? I don't see a USFS ranger station nearby ...

Thanks

Mike

[Hikin_Jim]

Mike:

No pass needed to park overnight at the tram. There's a parking lot designated for overnight parking.

You'll need to contact the USFS ranger station in Idyllwild and get your overnight permit in advance. The state park rangers cannot issue an overnight permit on USFS controlled land.

Jim

[Popper98]

Thanks again Jim! I'll contact the USFS ranger station this afternoon.

Mike