Deer Springs Trail, Weekend Weather, etc

[Sewellymon]

Hi All- with the pending weather I am changing my Fri- Sun plans from San Gorgonio to slightly lower terrain- i.e. San Jacinto.

Deer Springs Trail could be a pretty route with afternoon sun streaming through clearing storm clouds. Been many a year since I’ve done it.

Q’s?

Is there reliable water at Strawberry Junction? This might make an OK Friday night destination.

I presume water flow is good at Little Round Valley since it was a wet season.

Suffice to say, I am thinking of an out-and-back. Maybe camp at Little Round Valley Saturday night and summit Sat PM or Sun AM.

Of course, if the storm is really burly I may forgo mountain road driving and just take the tram and see how Round Valley fares under 12” of fresh snow.

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi All- with the pending weather I am changing my Fri- Sun plans from San Gorgonio to slightly lower terrain- i.e. San Jacinto.

Deer Springs Trail could be a pretty route with afternoon sun streaming through clearing storm clouds. Been many a year since I’ve done it.

Q’s?

Is there reliable water at Strawberry Junction? This might make an OK Friday night destination.

I presume water flow is good at Little Round Valley since it was a wet season.

Suffice to say, I am thinking of an out-and-back. Maybe camp at Little Round Valley Saturday night and summit Sat PM or Sun AM.

Of course, if the storm is really burly I may forgo mountain road driving and just take the tram and see how Round Valley fares under 12” of fresh snow.

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

I would say that there is not generally reliable water at Strawberry Junction. At Strawberry Cienega just east of Strawberry Jct, there usually is a trickle of water, but I haven't been by lately.

As you go north towards LRV, you should encounter creeks coming in from the east.

I haven't been to LRV this year, but I like you would assume that there is water since it's been a good year.

Sorry I don't have anything more up-to-date.

HJ

[Brett]

I was at Strawberry Junction on Sunday and there was no water. Was at Little Round Valley and Strawberry Cienega 10 days ago. Plenty of water at LRV (and at Deer Springs). Just a tiny trickle at Strawberry Cienega (needs to be filtered). There was still really good water at Wellmans Cienega.
If you camp at Little Round Valley PLEASE do not build a campfire. When I was there 10 days ago I counted 7 fire rings in a 100 sq. yd. area that people hadn't even bothered to break up. They just walk away and leave them (along with their trash). These are new fire rings that weren't there a month ago. And it hasn't even been cold. That beautiful little spot is getting trashed by clueless individuals.

[Sewellymon]

Brett- thanks for the head's up. I'll plan on a dry camp at Strawberry Junction.

If you camp at Little Round Valley PLEASE do not build a campfire..

I think you'll find the people who frequent this forum are not making bandit campfires. In my case, I'd guess there will be fresh snow on the ground and after-dark temps will drive me deep into my tent regardless.

[Brett]

How about a trip report. Wondering what the conditions are like up top.

We got 2-3 inches of new snow in Idy on Friday night, and a couple more last night.

[Sewellymon]

Brett- I wimped out and decided not to hike Friday into the maw of the storm. Further wimped out and took the tram Saturday AM.

I'd guess the west-side trails don't see a whole lot of action once the snows start. Nobody broke trail from LRV as of Saturday PM, based on what I saw at the junction (no foot prints heading from the summit down to LRV).

So figure 4"- 8". Almost time to ski- one or two more storms....

[Ellen]

Howdy Jeff (Sewellymon)

It was great to hike with you for a bit last Saturday. I am so sorry that I didn't take us further to the right before we reached Tamarack Valley You were a very good sport about the extra mileage and having to backtrack to Round Valley. The Craigmeister (my hiking buddy for C2C) joked that I this on purpose to get more miles in that day The tent city we found while meandering towards the main trail belonged to the CCC. Look forward to seeing you agaiin on my favorite mountain soon. Come on snow!

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

Ellen:

What does this "tent city" look like? I ran in to some concrete foundations one time when I was XC'ing around in the Round Valley area. Is that what you're referring to?

HJ

[Ellen]

Howdy HJ

These were actual tents -- a group of them -- off the beaten path between Tamarack and Round valley. There was a tarp shelter as well. It was eerie to run into them.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Sewellymon]

Hi Ellen- it was fun hiking over hill and dale. I shoulda known better that we were heading the wrong way...

I am glad you found out that was a CCC camp. In this day of meth labs and pot farms, a bunch of empty tents just had a spooky feel.

I look forward to joining you all on some hiking adventures in the months to come.