First Jacinto Trip - June 6-7

[Cartographile]

Hello all! I want to thank everyone here for providing the hiking community such a great resource for the area. It's a bit of a shame that the state doesn't come close to providing the requisite info online, so it's awesome to see people volunteering their time and knowledge.

I've planned a trip starting from Marion Mountain Campground. We'll be staying the night there, then getting an early start Saturday morning and camping at Round Valley. The route I've planned is as follows:

* Saturday

1. Marion Mountain Trail
2. Pacific Crest Trail to the south
3. Wellman Cienega Trail
4. Round Valley Trail

* Sunday

1. Round Valley Trail
2. Peak Trail
3. Deer Springs Trail
4. Pacific Crest Trail to the south
5. Marion Mountain Trail

The two pertinent questions I've still got, although perhaps a tiny bit early, are:

1. Will we be likely to need crampons/microspikes to summit? (I'd like to order some now if there's even some small chance of needing them two weeks from now.)
2. Will we need to carry two days of water, or is it safe to assume we can find water at Wellman Cienega, Round Valley, or another place along the route?

I'm especially concerned about the water. A friend and his father did the tram hike last year intending to stay a night at Round Valley. They arrived on the mountain to find that the spigot was turned off so they adapted their plan to a day hike since they wouldn't have enough water for their planned meals. On their return hike they learned from some campers that the rangers only turned on the water a couple times per day - something the rangers completely omitted to mention in multiple phone calls, including one the day before.

I'd like to rule out the possibility of something like this happening, since we wouldn't be able to adapt our hike as easily as they did.

Thanks!

[Hikin_Jim]

The chances of needing crampons and an ice axe is very nearly zero.

As for water, there are some good sources. I can't comment on what the rangers may or may not do at Round Valley, but I have some information on my blog about water sources in the San Jacintos. Bed Springs Crossing is typically very reliable and was flowing well at last report.

If the spigot at Round Valley were not flowing for some reason, you could always walk two or so miles east to the ranger station, and water will be available there barring a plumbing problem or something. Even if there were some kind of plumbing problem, there would be water at the tram which is another third or so of a mile to the east.

HJ

[Cartographile]

Thanks very much for your reply.

I definitely didn't expect the need for an ice axe but the thought occurred to me that slippery snow/ice could make hiking with backpacks a huge pain. I was thinking microspikes for hiking, not really crampons for toeing. Regardless, I take it there's very little snow near the summit. The only snow level resource I've found is this: http://www.socalsnow.org/weather.html It doesn't show any snow on the mountain today, but last week it was showing snow down to 8,000' if I remember correctly, so it got me to thinking. Do you have any idea if it's accurate, by the way?

I read through your water sources list before posting here, and plan on carefully noting them in addition to loading them onto my GPS. You also confirmed what I figured would be worst case: walking to the tram for water. I appreciate your help.

[Hikin_Jim]

What snow has fallen recently has melted nearly as quickly. I wouldn't expect it to be much trouble in a couple of weeks. You may still encounter patches, but I think you'll be able to detour around them if they're icy.

HJ

[RichMcG]

Went up Devils Slide to Saddle Junction Friday night May 23 after there was precipitation the day before. Woke up to the sound of ice melting and falling from the trees in the morning, but it was all melted by the afternoon. Traces of snow at the PCT junction going up to Wellmans Divide. Wellmans Cienega was trickling into 2 inch pool along trail. No snow on the peak (one of the scouts was very disappointed!), just patches along the trail. Took the trace trail from Miller Peak, so I'm not sure what the junction before the peak looked like.

[Cartographile]

Went up Devils Slide to Saddle Junction Friday night May 23 after there was precipitation the day before. Woke up to the sound of ice melting and falling from the trees in the morning, but it was all melted by the afternoon. Traces of snow at the PCT junction going up to Wellmans Divide. Wellmans Cienega was trickling into 2 inch pool along trail. No snow on the peak (one of the scouts was very disappointed!), just patches along the trail. Took the trace trail from Miller Peak, so I'm not sure what the junction before the peak looked like.

Thanks very much! (I'm in Carlsbad too

[neverwashasbeen]

The faucet at Round Valley was dry on Wed, the 27th.

[Cartographile]

The faucet at Round Valley was dry on Wed, the 27th.

Thanks very much. I'm actually kind of relieved to know I'll need to carry extra water.

[Sally]

I was up there Sunday and my observations were: Zero need for any kind of traction on feet. (I noticed earlier today that it MAY snow this weekend, but trust me, you will NOT need special equipment even if it does happen!) We found beautiful clear running water at Bed Springs (on Deer Springs Trail between Deer Springs and Little Round Valley.) We also came across enough water at Wellman's Cienega, Strawberry Cienega, and the spring that runs down the trail right below Little Round Valley to use, if necessary.
Have a great trip!