Question about Water on Cactus to Cloud Trail

[hm]

My partner and I will hike the Cactus to Cloud trail this coming Saturday. Both my partner and I are new to this hike. We plan to hike the Skyline trail and then to the top of San Jacinto peak. We will come down the same way. I understand there is water at Long Valley Ranger station. Does this water need treatment or is it drinkable?
Thanks,
HM

[Hikin_Jim]

Generally, you should treat the water at Round Valley.

There's also water at the main Ranger Station at the top of Skyline near the tram. The water at the main RS does not need treatment. The water at the tram does not need treatment but you have to climb the hill to get it (yuck!). There may be water in the creek too between the ranger station and Round Valley.

There's no reliable water source past the pipe in Round Valley on the standard route to the peak.

HJ

[hm]

Is the main Ranger Station very close to the trail? Do most people refill their water from the Ranger Station? Thanks for the reply.

Generally, you should treat the water at Round Valley.

There's also water at the main Ranger Station at the top of Skyline near the tram. The water at the main RS does not need treatment. The water at the tram does not need treatment but you have to climb the hill to get it (yuck!). There may be water in the creek too between the ranger station and Round Valley.

There's no reliable water source past the pipe in Round Valley on the standard route to the peak.

HJ

[neverwashasbeen]

The ranger station is not only on the trail, but you'll most likely want to stop and get a wilderness permit.

[Hikin_Jim]

The ranger station is not only on the trail, but you'll most likely want to stop and get a wilderness permit.

The ranger station is literally alongside the trail. There are flush toilets and running water.

Note: I'd put it more strongly than "you'll most likely want." A wilderness permit is required, and you need to have it on your person if a ranger stops you to check.

HJ

[D.K.]

I'm also doing Cactus to Clouds Saturday, and my plan is to refill water at the Tram (and probably get some food and a nap!).
I've done skyline to the tram 3 times, and C 2 C only once, but it's been a long while since.
It will be perfect weather, because I ALWAYS have perfect weather when I do a crazy hike like this.
Have you heard if any groups or others will be doing it that day also? I'm not that heavy, 2-3 peeps should be able to carry me out.
See ya out there.

[guest]

There's a couple small streams still flowing between Long Valley & 9,500 ft. but you'd have to search a bit for them.

Hope your up for the painful challenge of doing a 10k ft. decent, on tired legs. And, the trail looks different coming down, (lots of false trails), so good navigation is helpful.

ss

[Ellen]

Howdy D.K.

No worries, there will be plenty of folks on Skyline on Saturday If you start in the dark, just look for the headlamps snaking up the trail

What time are you starting?

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[hm]

Thanks for the suggestions above.

D.K., maybe we will see you Saturday. We probably start around 5:00 am.

[D.K.]

Actually, I'm going to 'try' to start at 3am. I'm not a 'monster' hiker, and am probably NOT in shape to do the whole C2C all the way to the summit. So, I'm going to start early, and just try to keep a steady pace.
Hopefully, you all will be catching and passing me in the last mile, to wake me up and give me my '23rd wind'.
The last time I did this, I had taken the tram up the weekend before, and stashed food, water, and a Gatorade up near the Ranger Station! haha This time, I'm going to try to 'carry my own weight'.
Summit or BUST! See ya'll!