Tram to SJ Peak conditions and water at Round Valley?

[rbtp]

We're heading to Mt. San Jacinto this weekend with my son's scout troop. We plan to stay the night at Round Valley.

I understand things are icy, but are microspikes or cramp-ons necessary to reach Round Valley from the Tram?
Is enough water flowing at Round Valley or should we carry all of our water in?

Thanks!

[Hikin_Jim]

It would be hard to imagine that micro spikes would be needed now on the way to Round Valley, but I haven't been up for a while. You could call the state park rangers and ask.

HJ

[Sose]

Haven't been up there lately, but there was water last August during a drought year so a darn good bet there is plenty now.

[Sose]

Pardon! Was speaking of little round valley. Still, I imagine water can be found this time of year in round valley also.

[CatB]

I was on the Deer Springs side on Wed. There is no water in LRV. The last water is at Bed Springs/North Fork SJ river about a half mile below LRV.

[neverwashasbeen]

The faucet is dry as of this afternoon. There is some water in the Long Valley creek almost all the way to Round Valley.

[Hikin_Jim]

Pardon! Was speaking of little round valley. Still, I imagine water can be found this time of year in round valley also.

I very much doubt that you will find water in Little Round Valley even this time of year, although it's possible.

Below is a map I've put together of the various water sources in the San Jacintos. It's got the majority of water sources plotted although it may not be exhaustive in some of the more out-of-the way areas. Along the trails on the west side of the mountain, I have pretty high confidence in my map.

I've given a rating, admittedly subjective, based on my experience over the last decade or so of the reliability of each water source. The system is sort of like this:
I - Unreliable. Assume no water unless you have a current report to the contrary.
II - Less reliable. Water typically in early season although water possibly later in wet years.
III - More reliable. Water frequently into late season.
IV - Very reliable. Water almost always into late season.
V. Extremely reliable. Water always into late season even in multi-year droughts.

http://caltopo.com/m/6V2F

The best water near LRV has already been mentioned: Bed Springs or more accurately, Bed Springs Crossing, where the water crosses the Deer Springs Trail. Bed Springs Crossing is about half way between Deer Springs Camp and LRV.

There is water closer to LRV, at Rock and Lilly springs, but Bed Springs is the most reliable an will have the best flow.

HJ

[OldsRocket]

Hiking Jim, thank you so much for posting that map! I am planning to do my first overnight solo backpack trip in June and I will be looking for these spots along the way. Where did you get the map? It's much more detailed than ones I've seen. Thank you again!

[Hikin_Jim]

The underlying map is produced by the US Forest Service. All of the markings on top of the underlying map are ones that I've made.

HJ

[BigFoot]

I just received my wilderness permit for 4/15 through 4/17 to camp at Round Valley. The plan is to ride the tram up Saturday morning, camp for two nights at Round Valley (with hike up to Mt. San Jacinto on Easter Sunday), and then come down on Monday 4/17.

Along with the permit, was a strip of paper labeled "Water Availability Alert". It says there is currently no water available at the Round Valley Spring spigot, and that we should plan to either bring our water, or at the very least, to tank up at the Long Valley Ranger Station with whatever we will need before entering the wilderness.

Having never been to the area, but having seen some recent reports on conditions in the area, I was hoping there would be one or more sources of water in the area where we could at least filter rather than hauling in three days worth of water.

I was hoping some kind folks here could shed some light on what the actual conditions are, or will likely be two weeks from now. Any additional information about general campground conditions would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!