Recommended camping area

[u79383]

Hello,

First time user. I have dayhiked in San Jacinto a few times doing the southridge trail, devils slide, marion mountain and even skyline from the museum to tram but have never stayed overnight.
My wife would like to do a 2 day/1 night getaway in late May near memorial day weekend. I know of round valley, tamarack valley and little round valley but no other places to camp. We were originally thinking of taking the tram up 1st thing then getting a spot at round valley, then dayhiking around but the more I search around it appears there are 6 wilderness zones where you can camp such as Chinquapin, Skunk cabbage, Taquitz, lower basin zone and a few others.
I am not too sure where these zones are exactly but can anyone recommend a favorite area to camp. We are just looking to get away and do not necessarily have to get to the peak.
We are in descent shape although we do not want to kill ourselves such as coming from marion mountain trailhead.
Thank You.

[halhiker]

I like the Desert View 1 campsite. Going higher (Little Round Valley) you may encounter snow and the other lower campsites tend to get a lot of pressure from campers. Desert View 1 is in a great location between Tahquitz and Willow Creeks and from there you can explore south on the PCT, climb Tahquitz Peak, explore up Willow Creek or just enjoy being in the mountains.

And don't go during the Memorial Day weekend; the place is a zoo. I hiked out on the Friday before Memorial Day once and I had to pass 200 hikers coming up the trail. I was happy to be leaving.

[Hikin_Jim]

I know of round valley, tamarack valley and little round valley but no other places to camp. We were originally thinking of taking the tram up 1st thing then getting a spot at round valley, then dayhiking around but the more I search around it appears there are 6 wilderness zones where you can camp such as Chinquapin, Skunk cabbage, Taquitz, lower basin zone and a few others.

There are two portions to the Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness: A federal portion managed by San Bernardino Nat'l Forest and a state portion that is run by the California State Parks Service.

The state portion has specific locations at which you must camp. You mentioned, "round valley, tamarack valley and little round valley;" those are the State Park camp sites. I think Round Valley is pretty over used and Tamarak isn't a lot better. Little Round Valley gets less use but is harder to get to. As Halhiker pointed out, it's higher than any other campsite and liable to have snow even in May.

The zones are areas within the San Bernardino Nat'l Forest portion of the SJ wilderness. Rather than specifying a spot at which you must camp, the USFS gives you a zone in which you can camp; you pick the site. Here is a map of the zones. http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/documents/san_jacinto_wilderness_map..pdf I'm partial to the Skunk Cabbage and Tahquitz Zones because they're well watered, but that's just me. Lower Basin can be good in early season. The federal portion does have some "brown post" sites that are specific sites, but I've never used one.

Here's a description from a website of the zones:
Chinquapin Zone
The best camping area in this zone is along Chinquapin Flats Trail -- Pacific Crest Trail about a quarter mile south of Saddle Junction. The closest water is in Skunk Cabbage. Zone capacity is 75.

Skunk Cabbage Zone
This is the most used and, consequently, the most abused area in the wilderness. Camping is not allowed in the meadow because the ecosystem is extremely fragile. Water is available at the north end of Skunk Cabbage Meadow and at Willow Creek. Zone capacity is 75.

Tahquitz Zone
Easy access, lots of water and lush vegetation make this zone very popular. Water is available almost year-round in this zone. Zone capacity is 50.

North Rim Zone
Although this zone covers a large area, there are few suitable camping areas because of its steep terrain. Because of erosion problems, camping is not allowed at Willow Creek Crossing. Water is available in this zone. Zone capacity is 75.

Lower Basin Zone
A lot of beautiful camping areas are on the large plateau in this zone. During the summer, the water does not flow freely and, consequently, the area's popularity drops. Zone capacity is 75.

Desert View Zone
This zone is located at the southernmost end of the wilderness. The vegetation varies from coniferous to high chaparral and scrub brush. Very little water is in this zone. Zone capacity is 50.

[KathyW]

I've camped at DV1 a couple time - it's a nice spot.

[u79383]

Thank You, so if I choose the lower basin zone would I need to specify where in that area or just identify lower basin zone as the area I wish to camp? Also, where would I apply for a permit and where is the nearest possible water source?

Jason

[KathyW]

Caramba area is nice. When we were down there a couple of years ago at the end of May there was plenty of water flowing in the creek:



More pics of that area:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/3981443_DqjcF#231427499

You have to stay in the yellow post sites if you want to have a campfire if they are allowing campfires, but you might be able to camp outside of these sites if you're not having a campfire. I would suggest calling the ranger station in Idyllwild to find out more/up-to-date info on camping.

[Hikin_Jim]

For the State portion of the wilderness: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/636/files/dpr409.pdf

For the Federal portion of the wilderness: http://www.fsva.org/

The fsva.org site appears to be down right now. You might try contacting the Ranger Station:
San Jacinto Ranger District
54270 Pinecrest
P.O. Box 518
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(909) 382-2921

The best water source in the Lower Basin zone is Tahquitz Creek. The photo in Kathy's post is of Tahquitz Creek which runs near Caramba Camp. You can also, in season, get water from the intermittent stream that comes down from Hidden Divide and joins Tahquitz Creek maybe 0.25 to 0.5 miles down from the confluence with Willow Creek.

HJ

[WOLFDOG]

No more Yellow Post sites, figures that would end, probly enforced due to that fire that broke out from that campfire back in May of 2000, what a mess that was, couple of hundred acres. But all in all, a good idea since more and more head up to to the plateau region to camp. So when did this no fire ring law take affect? 2001, 2002? I remember having my last campfire up in Jackstraw Springs below Anderson Peak in 1997, and that too is now brown posts. Like I tell everyone, it's the "laws of geography", as the population increases, so does the rules.