Water sources for short overnight backpacking trip

[tarol]

I want to do a short overnight BP trip where there is a water source - soon. Any ideas? I'm open to any ideas in So Cal.

[KathyW]

Carol:

How short, and do you want to stay at lower elevations where it is warmer?

Kathy

[tarol]

under 5 miles, and yes to warmer elevations if possible

[Hikin_Jim]

Alger ("A") or Dobbs ("B") in the San Gorgonio Wilderness aren't super high -- ~7000' for Alger and 7300' for Dobbs. Both have extremely reliable water sources. The trail head is the Momyer Creek trailhead which is at 5500. They'll be cold this time of year, but snow free right now. Note: The topo map marks the site of Alger incorrectly. Point "A" that I have marked is correct. Dobbs isn't marked at all on the topo map, but point "B" correctly pin points the camp.

There are a lot of nice front country camp sites in the San Gabriels. Henninger Flats is at about 2500' elevation and has piped in water and flush toilets (at the lower site) or pit toilets (upper site).

Hoegees ("A") at 2700' and Spruce Grove ("B") at 3000' are both nice front country options. Both have creeks near by.

There are a number of other low altitude options on the various forks of the San Gabriel River. The position of "F" (Narrows Camp) is approximate but should be fairly accurate.

Key to camps along the forks of the San Gabriel River:
A -- Valley Forge Camp
B -- West Fork Camp
C -- Devore Camp
D -- Glenn Camp
E -- Heaton Flats Camp
F -- Narrows Camp
G -- Lower Fish Fork Camp
H -- Mine Gulch Camp

Mine Gulch and Lower Fish Fork take some doing to get to, but are worthwhile. There used to be another camp at Iron Fork, but I don't know what the condition of that location is anymore.

HJ

[tarol]

Thanks Jim - I knew about some of those, but not all

How hard is the hike to Henninger?

[Hikin_Jim]

Henninger is pretty steep, but it's short. A person in good shape can do it in an hour or so (without a pack). A backpacker should be able to do it in under two hours. I've carried a pack and my 30 lbs daughter up there, so it's definitely doable.

HJ