Ice? S Ridge Trail? Devils Slide Trail?

[Hikin_Jim]

I was thinking about hiking up the S Ridge Trail tomorrow and descending the Devil's Slide Trail. Something like this route map (route shown in green). Is there any ice to speak of on the S Ridge Trail? The Devil's Slide Trail? I'm imagining that both will be relatively free and clear based on the weather we've been having, but of course there could be pockets in the shade.

HJ

[Ulysses]

Haven't been up there lately but I would seriously doubt you would hit any snow. I was up to the 8K level on Deer Springs a week ago and there was nothing. The only spot that I could imagine you would find any ice would be on the the switchbacks on the north side of Tahquitz right near the top. Micro Spikes and poles should do the trick. Have fun.

[Hikin_Jim]

Thanks, man. I'll throw the spikes in the bag just in case.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

No snow from Keen Camp Summit to the top of Tahquitz peak except for one inconsequential patch.

From Tahquitz Peak to the PCT, there was quite a bit of snow. It was well consolidated. Microspikes were definitely helpful.

A few patches of snow in Little Tahquitz Valley on over to Saddle Junction. A few inconsequential patches of snow on the DST coming down to Humber Park.

HJ

[Ulysses]

Thanks for the report HJ. You scouting out a bypass for the PCT?

[Hikin_Jim]

Yep. Exactly. May Valley Road, now that it's open, makes way better sense than the road walk through Mountain Center that was the only option other than hitch hiking in 2014.

Navigation is pretty straightforward except where the South Ridge Trail leaves May Valley Road. There are all kinds of little unmarked roads and trails in that vicinity. The critical junctures are waypoints 013 and 014 on this GPS Track.

Tahquitz Creek in Little Tahquitz Valley was dry. "Four Way Spring" (the spring just south of the four way junction in Tahquitz Valley) was dry. Jolley Spring was dry. Hardly any snow except on the N face of Tahquitz Peak. Microspikes were a good call for that section.

HJ

[backpackpack]

Yep. Exactly. May Valley Road, now that it's open, makes way better sense than the road walk through Mountain Center that was the only option other than hitch hiking in 2014.

Navigation is pretty straightforward except where the South Ridge Trail leaves May Valley Road. There are all kinds of little unmarked roads and trails in that vicinity. The critical junctures are waypoints 013 and 014 on this GPS Track.

Tahquitz Creek in Little Tahquitz Valley was dry. "Four Way Spring" (the spring just south of the four way junction in Tahquitz Valley) was dry. Jolley Spring was dry. Hardly any snow except on the N face of Tahquitz Peak. Microspikes were a good call for that section.

HJ

Hello, I was just looking at your GPS track and I saw a few markers that said little campsite, big campsite, etc. do we need permits and reservations to camp along south ridge up to Tahquitz peak, like when camping at other places (round valley, strawberry junction)? It looks like a nice route I might want to try, but I would like to know more about required permits.

Thank you

[Hikin_Jim]

Once you are in the Wilderness Area, you do need a permit. I am not aware of any camping restrictions on the S Ridge Trail, but you should contact the USFS in Idyllwild,which you have to anyway to get a permit.

HJ

[backpackpack]

Once you are in the Wilderness Area, you do need a permit. I am not aware of any camping restrictions on the S Ridge Trail, but you should contact the USFS in Idyllwild,which you have to anyway to get a permit.

HJ

Alright, I will do that. I was under the impression we were only allowed to camp that the designated camp grounds, so I am happy that I was incorrect about that.

Thank you for the info

[Hikin_Jim]

I was under the impression we were only allowed to camp that the designated camp grounds, so I am happy that I was incorrect about that.

Well, you DO need to camp in designated sites in the State portion of the San Jacintos. You do not in the Federal portion.

HJ