Desert Divide?

[Hikin_Jim]

It's been some years since I've hiked any down on the Desert Divide. For Memorial Day weekend, I've been thinking of hiking from the Paradise Cafe area (never been) up the PCT to Saddle Junction and then exiting at Humber Park. General route map. Tentative plan (pending permits) is to leave Friday morning and arrive in Idyllwild on Monday. I plan to bag eleven HPS peaks in and around the divide en route. Trail miles will be about 30, but the peak bagging will add a lot of miles (another 10?) and a lot of gain.

I need a little help from the panel of experts here if you'll indulge me.

QUESTIONS:
1. Is there any transportation from Idyllwild back to the Paradise Cafe area (PCT trailhead on Hwy 74). Bus? Taxi? PCT trail angels willing to help a lowly section hiker out?
2. How bad is the walk down from Humber Park to Idyllwild? (Hopefully I can hitch a ride)

I'm really a noob when it comes to the Desert Divide, so any helpful hints appreciated.

HJ

P.S. Obviously, the water situation could be a little dicey come Memorial Day weekend, but I've got the PCT water reports, and I've mapped out water points.

[Ulysses]

Hi Jim. Sounds like an awsome hike. Hopefully you'll have some nice weather. I would suggest carrying extra water this year. It is so dry. And I'm not sure I trust the PCT water report. I was at Apache Spring last month and it was barely flowing. I submited an update to the PCT Water Report and it was never updated. Talked to a thru hiker who was at Live Oak Spring last week and he said it is flowing well. I was in Tahquitz Valley last week and the pipe spring (J on your map?) was flowing nicely, but i don't expect it will run through the summer this year.

I've never had trouble getting a hitch from Humber Park into town, but I've walked it a few times too and it's not bad.

Not much in the way of public transportaion back to Paradise Corner, but I doubt you would have trouble getting a hitch. I'll keep that date in mind and if I'm going to be on the hill that day I'll send you a PM.

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi Jim. Sounds like an awsome hike.

Thanks. I'm pretty excited about it.

I'm not sure I trust the PCT water report. I was at Apache Spring last month and it was barely flowing. I submited an update to the PCT Water Report and it was never updated.

Hunh. Wonder what happened there. I submitted a report earlier today and got a response about 6 hours later. When Bill (AsaBat) passed away, maybe things got a little mixed up? Or maybe now that it's through hiker season they're paying closer attention?

Talked to a thru hiker who was at Live Oak Spring last week and he said it is flowing well. I was in Tahquitz Valley last week and the pipe spring (J on your map?) was flowing nicely, but i don't expect it will run through the summer this year.

I've got what I think are three reliable sources:
1. Live Oak Spring
2. A spring west of Fobbes Saddle (Somewhere near point "G")
3. The "pipe spring" near the 4 way trail junction in Tahquitz Meadow.

Hopefully, I can make it on those three water sources although it's at least a dozen miles between the spring west of Fobes Saddle and the pipe spring in Tahquitz Valley. Ulp. There is Apache Spring east of Apache Peak, but I haven't heard whether or not it's flowing right now.

Not much in the way of public transportaion back to Paradise Corner, but I doubt you would have trouble getting a hitch. I'll keep that date in mind and if I'm going to be on the hill that day I'll send you a PM.

That would be uber cool if you were up that day. I can vary my itinerary a day or two either way (assuming permits are available for the Tahquitz Valley area). My wife and daughter are visiting family right now, so I'm very flexible.

HJ

[Florian]

Cedar Spring had water on 5/4.

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

Ah, excellent. Thank you.

HJ

[cynthia23]

The walk from Humber Park to downtown Idyllwild is not bad at all--it's all downhill, obviously, and it's pretty much all shaded with giant trees. You can stop at Cafe Aroma on North Circle to refresh yourself with a cool drink

[Hikin_Jim]

You can stop at Cafe Aroma on North Circle to refresh yourself with a cool drink

Sounds good to me!

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

I've laid out a more detailed plan which I've posted on my blog. It think it's going to be about 40 miles to do the main 12 peaks along the desert divide (I've added in Red Tahquitz even though I've done it recently; it's such a spectacular view from up there).

HJ

[halhiker]

Sounds like a nice day hike to me. Oh wait, three days? Or possible FOUR? How fun.

I've hiked up here a lot and this is what I'd consider.

Carry your first day's water and stay at Cedar Spring the first night. It's a good campsite and has water. The trail is very easy to this point and with the exception of Butterfly Peak, all the peaks are easily accessible and right off the trail.

The toughest section will be on day two, the climb out of Fobe's Saddle. It's the most incline of the trip and while it's not a huge elevation gain, it's in full sun and can be quite warm. I would suggest staying the second night at Apple Canyon Saddle, past Apache Peak. I would be happy to drop a water cache for you there, if you'd like. From there, you should be able to hit Idyllwild without difficulty.

I, ordinarily, would offer to drive you to Paradise Corner—my father-in-law lives right across the street from the Cafe—but being in the hotel business, I have to work on Memorial Day. If you do go FOUR days, I might be able to get up there to help with the drive. Depends on if I can swing an extra day off after Memorial Day weekend.

Let's discuss it as the plans solidify.

Hal

[Hikin_Jim]

Sounds like a nice day hike to me. Oh wait, three days? Or possible FOUR? How fun.

40 miles and 12 peaks is a day hike? So, tell me, Hal, does your superhero cape ever get tangled in the brush? 40 mi and 12 peaks is a bit beyond me for a single day!

Carry your first day's water and stay at Cedar Spring the first night. It's a good campsite and has water. The trail is very easy to this point...

OK, that's good advice. That would be 17 miles for our first day. Tough with full packs, but doable. I was a little worried about where to camp for the first day. The PCT "halfmile" maps list a couple of "small campsites", but there will tentatively be three of us, so I'm not sure if a small campsite would be sufficient.

...with the exception of Butterfly Peak, all the peaks are easily accessible and right off the trail.

Speaking of Butterfly Peak, is this the route? I think it is, but the HPS description leaves room for a little ambiguity. I cannot see a path through the brush in satellite photos which worries me a little.

The toughest section will be on day two, the climb out of Fobe's Saddle. It's the most incline of the trip and while it's not a huge elevation gain, it's in full sun and can be quite warm. I would suggest staying the second night at Apple Canyon Saddle, past Apache Peak. I would be happy to drop a water cache for you there, if you'd like.

The climb out of Fobes will be tough; no question.

My plan was to spend the night down in Fobes Canyon above the ranch area. There is water there according to the PCT report. It might be tough (even for you) to put in a water cache for three people at Apple Canyon Saddle (although it would be highly cool).

I, ordinarily, would offer to drive you to Paradise Corner—my father-in-law lives right across the street from the Cafe—but being in the hotel business, I have to work on Memorial Day. If you do go FOUR days, I might be able to get up there to help with the drive.

Do you suppose your father-in-law might be OK with someone leaving a car in front of his house? I'm a little hesitant about leaving a car at the trailhead. I've heard of break ins.

Re transportation, we just need to get one person (i.e. the driver) back to the car. Hitch hiking or possibly someone here on the SJ forum will probably work out. I know of one other person who will be up in the area that weekend.

HJ