The San Jacinto Water Project

[Andy]

Jim,
Here's another one in the fire closure area North of Skunk Cabbage Meadow. I've always referred to this as North Skunk Cabbage Spring but it may have another common name.

Directions: From 3 way junction of Willow Creek Trail and Skunk Cabbage Trail. Walk approximately 40 Yards East on Willow Springs Trail towards Saddle Junction. Look for drainage on North side of trail and follow faint use trail for about 20 yards, over a small hill and upstream. Look for pools of water and/or a pipe that is cut off and usually buried/submerged in the creek bed. Source is from a spring box that used to feed the old camp ground in North Skunk Cabbage Meadow (similar to 4 Way Jnct Spring). Reliable into summer and year-round on good years, I'd give it a II rating.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=33.77726,-116.66710&z=15&t=T&marker0=33.77726%2C-116.66710%2Cunnamed

[Hikin_Jim]

I did the Strawberry loop from the tram in a clockwise manner with Ellen and other friends today.

"Ellen and friends" Sounds like an afternoon TV show.

When we got to the Deer Springs crossing we were dismayed and confused as to why there is STILL that stupid pipe running down the DRY stream bed, under the trail, and down to where that CCC camp used to be. It makes me very angry, as it looks as though someone is diverting water from Deer Springs. Maybe there is a logical explanation for this...I would like to know so that I can stop being so ticked off.

This is a black eye in my opinion for the State of California. For years there was a sign at Deer Springs Camp saying "fragile area, no camping please". Three or so years ago, a California Conservation Corps team moved in there and built a campground. They put a pipe into Deer Springs. They made pads and fire pits (some huge). Recall that wood fires are forbidden at all times in the SJ Wilderness -- unless you're a state employee in which case they aren't harmful. They built a stand up urinal only feet from the creek. They had some camp sites down in the meadow area on the south side of the creek. It was the total opposite of low impact camping. They created trails across the meadow and trails into the camp ground. The trails have attracted people there, and now I find things like beer bottles there. I wonder if the rangers really knew what was going on over there. Other than LRV, I don't think there's any ranger presence on the west side of the state wilderness. I noted a lot of fresh wood fire scars at Strawberry Camp Memorial Day weekend.

On a happier note, we found abundant water in what I THINK is Bed Springs. There was actually a small waterfall that I was able to put my head under so I could soak my overheated brain. Dang, it was hot today!

If it had good flow and it was past Deer Springs, it was definitely Bed Springs. That's the best natural water source on the mountain.

HJ

[Sally]

Thanks a bunch, HJ, for co-signing my thoughts that the CCC was up to no good! I was hoping someone would give me a logical explanation that there was a legitimate reason for doing the stuff they have done. I guess I will remain cranky on the subject .

[Hikin_Jim]

Jim,
Here's another one in the fire closure area North of Skunk Cabbage Meadow. I've always referred to this as North Skunk Cabbage Spring but it may have another common name.

Got it. And I believe I've seen water there before. Added. Link: San Jacinto Water

I think there's one other spring in there between Four Way Spg and N Skunk Cabbage Spg, but I can't remember exactly where it is.

Thanks, Andy

[Nick-SJM]

Your position for Candy's Creek looks correct.
NICK

[Hikin_Jim]

Your position for Candy's Creek looks correct.
NICK

Thanks, Nick. Anything else in the Skunk Cabbage/Willow Creek/Tahquitz Creek areas? I seem to remember one more between Four Way Spring and N Skunk Cabbage Spring, but I am not remembering exactly where.

HJ

[tarol]

So the higher the number the better/more reliable? Any camp site within about 6 miles of a trailhead (other than the tram) that has flowing water right now?

[Hikin_Jim]

So the higher the number the better/more reliable? Any camp site within about 6 miles of a trailhead (other than the tram) that has flowing water right now?

I was at Strawberry Camp on Memorial Day weekend, and Joyce Spring as well as Strawberry Cienega both had water. I visited Joyce Spring personally, and I talked to hikers who had been to Strawberry Cienega.

It's about 4.5 miles to Cienega Ridge which has spots to camp. Water can be obtained from Wellmans Cienega, about 0.8 miles north. Not super convenient, but you could drop your gear and then go grab water.

HJ

[Florian]

Still a few clear looking pools in the creek east of Round Valley today, 6/12, but the RV pipe remains bone dry.

Jim, were you planning to update the map to reflect current conditions?

-Florian

[Hikin_Jim]

Still a few clear looking pools in the creek east of Round Valley today, 6/12, but the RV pipe remains bone dry.

Thanks for the report.

Jim, were you planning to update the map to reflect current conditions?

Hmm. I could although it could get pretty cluttered. Maybe what I'll do is create a blog page to accompany it and keep notes on the page.

HJ