Deer Spgs to Marion Mtn to Wellman Cienega?

[Hikin_Jim]

Shoot Pete, when I went down from Marion-Shirley Saddle to the trail to Wellman Divide, there were ducks (rock piles) all over the place. I could discern no rhyme or reason to them.

Here's a view from the SE:


And here's a zoom shot from about the same location:


My (ahem) brilliant plan is to stay in the larger trees as shown by the red line. Then I'll follow the trail down from Wellman Divide toward Saddle Junction and hopefully figure out some point to drop down into the Willow Creek drainage. Hopefully Pete's advice will help me out in this regard.

My route from Marion-Shirley saddle drops me in just a bit below the junction (in the switchbacks) on Wellman Divide. The route that OtherHand is talking about might be worth trying even though I have to climb up on the shoulder of Jean a bit to get on route since it winds up in nearly the same place. Brush ain't no fun.

I have three goals for this trip:
1. I'd like to explore the abandoned upper section of the Seven Pines Trail. This is pretty short, but I've never walked it, and I'd like to.
2. I'd like to visit again the flats between Marion and Shirley which is one of my favorite regions in the San Jacintos.
3. I'd like to descend Willow Creek from its headwaters. It's an obvious major route, but I've just never done it.

I've got four days allocated, and since I'm unemployed I guess I can always take another day if I need to. Lotsa route options.


HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

In the drainage that I believe is called Bed Springs (points "A" through "C"), how far does the water go up? Anyone care to hazard a guess there?

I've also marked out OtherHand's route very approximately (points "D" through "H") on the above linked map.

HJ

[Lermo]

HJ,
Have a great adventure!
Best wishes on getting the job!

[jfr]

In the drainage that I believe is called Bed Springs (points "A" through "C"), how far does the water go up? Anyone care to hazard a guess there? HJ

I can hazard more than a guess. The actual stream doesn't follow the stream shown on the map (i.e. the topo is wrong). My wife and I discovered the spring back in August 2011 when we day-hiked from Little Round Valley up to the saddle of Newton-Drury, then bee-lined it for Marion Mountain. The upper section of the stream shown on the topo map was merely a dry wash, but there was a "spring" (we saw no old bed springs) at point "A" on this map. Switching to the satellite view you can see the darker patch of vegetation there. The actual stream curves south from point "B". (This location was pinpointed using my gps.)


Vicki soaking her bandanna at the spring.

NOTE that LRV was actually flowing back in August 2011, so this year things may be different. But I'll bet there will be some water down lower near point "B" where there is a much darker area of vegetation, since the stream that crosses the trail down below is reported to be flowing fine right now.



That flat plateau area between point "A" and the supposed location of Deer Spring is amazingly open, flat, and easy to hike through. You could camp a small army there. If it wasn't designated wilderness someone would have built a condo development in that location by now.

Have a great hike!

[RMRUpete]

Bed Springs is near the (B) of (ABC) on your lastest map and there is an old Bed Springs still there. It is above the spring by about 100 feet or so in the drainage. I have not been there this year yet, but it has always had water all summer every other year. You got otherhands route wrong, I have done it many times and it goes on your first post map (L-M-N-O) and it is again marked with rock piles. I do not know who put the markers in, but they were there the first time I did the route years ago.

If you want to hike up Marion Mt. Trail to Bed Springs, over to Marion, and loop back someday as a day hike I would be happy to hike with you and point out lots of other interesting things off the trail along the way. Just send me a PM if you want to hike.

[Norris]

Hi HJ, hope this reply reaches you before you leave. There is a very nice, easy, amazingly brush-free way to go from the Deer Springs / Marion Mtn trail to Marion Mountain. The water flow which crosses the Deer Springs trail in the vicinity of Deer Springs trail camp is (according to the map) the source of the San Jacinto river. There is a trace trail which goes up the hiker's left of the creek from the trail although some efforts have been made to disguise or erase it. Go up this trace trail. After a short distance, cross the creek (step across) and push through some water-loving plants in a short soggy area. If you are careful with your foot placements you won't damage much vegetation or get wet feet. Work your way uphill for a short distance, using a downed tree log at one point. Almost immediately the terrain dries up and you find yourself in a rocky dry creek bed with large boulders. Scramble up until you reach the source of the water flow. This is the actual Deer Springs as I understand it. From there you can hike up and then right to get to Marion mountain. I have a GPS track if you want it.

[Hikin_Jim]

The actual stream doesn't follow the stream shown on the map (i.e. the topo is wrong).

Ah! Interesting. So, the water flow is in the more southerly gully splitting off where where you marked point "B" and not where the topo map marks flow. Invaluable; thank you.

That flat plateau area between point "A" and the supposed location of Deer Spring is amazingly open, flat, and easy to hike through. You could camp a small army there. If it wasn't designated wilderness someone would have built a condo development in that location by now.

That's actually one of my motivations for doing this hike. I've been wanting to get up into that flat area again. I think that it's a super neat area, and it's also a great area to practice map and compass skills. It's flat and forested. One cannot just visually guide oneself to one's destination. There are no visible landmarks from which to get one's bearings. That's where real map and compass work comes in.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

HJ,
Have a great adventure!
Best wishes on getting the job!

Thanks on both counts.

I've had several good interviews. I may now be in a situation where I have to choose. I hope and pray the timings all work out and that the right one comes through.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

If you want to hike up Marion Mt. Trail to Bed Springs, over to Marion, and loop back someday as a day hike I would be happy to hike with you and point out lots of other interesting things off the trail along the way. Just send me a PM if you want to hike.

Love to some time. That's a very gracious offer. I'm quite slow, though. Sometime when you're in a patient mood.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi HJ, hope this reply reaches you before you leave.

You got me in time. I'm spending time with the fam today and off on my jaunt tomorrow morning.

There is a very nice, easy, amazingly brush-free way to go from the Deer Springs / Marion Mtn trail to Marion Mountain. The water flow which crosses the Deer Springs trail in the vicinity of Deer Springs trail camp is (according to the map) the source of the San Jacinto river. There is a trace trail which goes up the hiker's left of the creek from the trail although some efforts have been made to disguise or erase it. Go up this trace trail. After a short distance, cross the creek (step across) and push through some water-loving plants in a short soggy area. If you are careful with your foot placements you won't damage much vegetation or get wet feet. Work your way uphill for a short distance, using a downed tree log at one point. Almost immediately the terrain dries up and you find yourself in a rocky dry creek bed with large boulders. Scramble up until you reach the source of the water flow. This is the actual Deer Springs as I understand it. From there you can hike up and then right to get to Marion mountain.

Cool! OK, so let's see if I've got this right: Start on the left (north) side as you ascend, cross the creek at some point in a lush area. Proceed on the right (south) side of the creek for a ways, part of which utilizes a log. Recross to the north side after getting out of the lush area and follow the gully up to where the spring named "Deer Springs" is marked on the map. Something like what I've marked on this map, yes?

I have a GPS track if you want it.

I'm such an old school Luddite. All I know is map and compass. But I should do fine from your written description. Besides a little brush keeps you humble, right?

HJ