Requesting campsite info

[Motivated Adventurer]

Howdy,
I'm new here and joined because I'm needing some info on backpacking in San Jacinto. I've been there a few years ago as a teen but I don't remember much about how to get a campsite there and have since moved overseas.
I'm going to be back in the area in October and want to take my wife to same site that I had stayed at before. I believe the site was Lotus in round valley. I've been trying to find the name of it and likely onditions there for months. I finaly found a camp site map but I am not sure if that Lotus is the one. I found some needed information on this site and figured that the polite and best way to find what I need is to just ask.
Does anyone have any pictures and idea what the conditions will be in mid October? Also if some one could help meknow what all I need to do to reserve a site.

Thank you.

[trcar]

I don't know enough of the area history to even guess of a spot called Lotus. You might be thinking of Tamarack Valley which is just north of Round Valley on a short jog of a trail. Fewer visitors there in general.

Round Valley in October will likely be clear. It's high so you need to be weather saavy, and take advantage of the local rangers for condition reports.

Round Valley that time of year will be post-frost, so not as green. You likely will have water there, need to filter, but again check with rangers on conditions.

Still it's San Jacinto and a wonderful area.

[HH8]

I do! Lotus is a steep climb up to the ridgetop, and the view is worth every inch. It is the southernmost of the Round Valley campsites.


October will be cold at night, and be sure you both have wind-proof wear even for a day hike to the peak. Water will be scarce, but the Round Valley spring should still be running this year - call ahead and check with the Ranger the week before you go (909) 382-2921.

[HH8]

San Jacinto has dual dueling bureacracies:

For campsites in Round Valley, Little Round Valley, Tamarack Valley, and Strawberry Junction, use http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/636/files/dpr409.pdf. This is the one to use for Lotus.

FYI, for wilderness permits in Skunk Cabbage, Tahquitz, Chinquapin, North Rim, Lower Basin, and Desert View, go to http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5177273.pdf

[Motivated Adventurer]

Thanks for the information. No need to worry about us and warming layers. I've been doing camping trips similar to this for years, so I know what I will need and don't need. I just hope my wife will like the style clothing because I haven't gotten all her stuff together yet. Kinda hard when you live oceans apart.

The water my not be coming fast but at least there is a good chance it will be there. I still remember when I was part of the group to get water and hike it back up the trail. I figured it would get heavy so I emptied my pack and took it with me. Good thing I did, the sacks we used got heavy and we took a hike around the valley.

If you guys want I could post a trip log here.

[HH8]

TR yes!