Fullers Ridge to Idyllwyld Shuttle Hike?

[Hoss]

Hey all,

I am interested in taking a group of guys up to Fullers Ridge this weekend for an overnight camping and hiking trip. I've never been up to Mt San Jacinto before.

Most of these guys (all college-age and in relatively good shape, compared to the general population) do not have much hiking experience, so I'm something of a guide for this trip. I have plenty of hikes under my belt, and, if anything, I'm a bit optimistic on what I think is an acceptable length for a day hike.

Right now, the plan is to begin hiking Fullers Ridge before dawn, summiting San Jacinto, and moving clockwise around the mountain to Wellman's Divide, Strawberry Junction, and down into Idyllwyld proper via the Deer Springs Trail. From my Tom Harrison trail map, it looks like it's about 17 miles, which is a long day, but it looks as if after the peak there's minimal elevation gain, and once it hits Deer Springs its a toe-jamming, but quick, descent.

My intent is to change up the scenery and not show people the same thing on the way out that they saw on the way in.

What do you guys think about this route?

Does anyone know what the road looks like up to Fullers Ridge?

How about any restaurant recommendations in Idyllwyld?

Thank you guys very much.

- Hoss

[Hikin_Jim]

Hoss:

Seventeen (17+ by my count) miles is pretty ambitious for a day hike with people who aren't experienced hikers. That's just my first reaction; you obviously know these guys better than I do. Also, you have to factor in the altitude, nearly 11,000 feet at the summit. If they're not used to functioning at altitude, they may wind up being really slow or suffering from altitude sickness.

Another option, no slouch either, is to summit from the tram, and then head to Idyllwild via Humber Park. It's about 14 miles from the tram to the Summit to Humber Park, which is still a pretty darn solid day hike for an inexperienced hiker, particularly given the altitude, but you have a "bail out" point at Wellmans Divide. If someone isn't feeling well at Wellmans Divide, they can be taken directly to Humber Park, avoiding the peak, for a hike of about 8.5 miles. If you go from Fuller Ridge to Idyllwild via the summit and Wellmans, there aren't any really good bail out points unless you want to take them down via the tram which would be a hassle since you wouldn't have a car there under your original plan. The tram also climbs some of the altitude for you (about 1000' compared to Fuller Ridge), an advantage with inexperienced hikers.

Best of luck,

HJ

[Hoss]

Jim,

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, the tram is not an option at this time, and I'm sure the guys would roll their eyes at it, regardless of how tough the hike will be after stepping off it.

Anyway, looking at the map, it looks like if we go counter-clockwise from the summit that we have the option of bailing out at the Marion Mountain trail, and we may well have enough cars to be able to set a shuttle for that. Thoughts?

- Hoss

[Yichus]

Re: "Does anyone know what the road looks like up to Fullers Ridge?"

Hi Hoss,

You need a high-clearance vehicle, preferably one with four-wheel drive, to get the Fuller Ridge trailhead. Several severely rutted sections exist on Black Mountain Road, at least they did when my brother and I were up there in late fall, before the winter road closure. I doubt that the road has been re-graded or repaired since it re-opened in May.

Good luck.

[Hikin_Jim]

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, the tram is not an option at this time, and I'm sure the guys would roll their eyes at it, regardless of how tough the hike will be after stepping off it.

No shame in the tram, bro. It's actually pretty cool, but whatever, if it's not an option, it's not an option.

if we go counter-clockwise from the summit that we have the option of bailing out at the Marion Mountain trail...

Do you mean start in Idyllwild and then head counter clockwise toward Fuller Ridge via the summit with Marion as your bail out point? You could do that, but be aware that you're then adding another 2000' or so of climbing. It becomes like a 5000' climb instead of 3000' (very round numbers), quite an appreciable difference. I may be misunderstanding you, but a 5000' gain hike with inexperienced hikers isn't a trip I'd like to take people on.

Were I you, I might still start at Fuller Ridge. You head for the summit. When you reach the junction with the Marion Mtn. Trail, if anyone isn't able to keep up/not feeling well, you could escort them down the Marion Mtn. Trail to a car at the trailhead, 3 miles to bail out. I say escort 'cause I wouldn't send a person who isn't feeling well down alone. That's asking for trouble. If you've got someone who has a map and compass and knows how to use them, then you'd probably be OK escorting someone out at that point.

Assuming everyone's OK, you head to the summit. If at the summit, someone were not feeling well, they could be escorted down the Marion Mtn trail as above, but this time about 4.3 miles to bail out. Keep in mind that there is no trail at the summit and people historically get misoriented here.

For those heading to Idyllwild, you've got about a ten mile trek from the summit which is pretty much all down hill. A long day, but doable for those in shape.

It's going to be sunny and warm this weekend (although it will be cool on top -- you might want a windbreaker), so you'll want a lot of water. The section from where the PCT splits off to the west sharply after climbing from Saddle Junction is particularly hot and exposed. For 17 miles, I personally would bring 4 liters per person to drink, although maybe you could get by with 3 liters each.

It's not guaranteed, but there should be water in the small creek at Little Round Valley and also a trickle of water flowing through Strawberry Cienega. There may be a couple of other smaller water sources on the west side as well. If you have the means to treat water, then you could potentially get more water at these points.

Seventeen miles with inexperienced hikers is fairly ambitious, particularly at altitude, but for college age guys in shape, it could work. Just keep an eye on your guys, and be mentally prepared to bail out/escort people out if you have to.

Whatever you choose, post a note here when you're done and let us know how it goes.

HJ

[Hoss]

Jim,

Thank you very much for the information. It looks like we will set a shuttle at Marion and Idyllwyld. You're definitely right on the water, 4 liters minimum per person, and I'll be bringing iodine. Sorry for the confusion about the route - we will be doing Fuller's Ridge to the summit, and then counterclockwise around to the south dropping down to Idyllwyld.

Should be a lot of fun. Will report back.

Thanks again.

[Rob]

. . . taking a group of guys up to Fullers Ridge this weekend for an overnight camping and hiking trip. .... Most of these guys (all college-age and in relatively good shape, compared to the general population) do not have much hiking experience, so I'm something of a guide for this trip. . . . .

Hoss, please forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir. My experience hiking with college-age guys tells me that your most difficult task will be blasting them out of their sleeping bags in the morning. Once they're hiking, they're in automatic; getting them started is a challenge. I suggest: (1) Set firm time for reveille (5 a.m.?), break camp, and hike start (6 a.m.?) (2) Pre-pack hiking supplies the night before, so your guys don't waste time in the a.m. fussing with their gear. (3) If some are driving independently, emphasize importance of arriving at camp by 10 p.m.(?) so they get a full night's sleep and don't wake others stumbling into camp after taps.

Other random suggestions: Make sure each hiker has his/her own map, compass, headlamp, and list of car shuttle cell phone numbers. (Note: in SJ area, area coverage of cell phone voice and text service varies depending on carrier. For example, my Sprint PCS cell has voice service in Idyllwild itself, but not elsewhere along the hwy, nor in campgrounds, nor on trails.) Don't assume that each hiker is carrying his/her own cell, and don't assume that each hiker's cell phone account is paid up and current. [There's a story behind that.]

Keep in mind that there is no trail at the summit and people historically get misoriented here.

To preclude summit confusion while descending where there is no trail, tell everyone the compass vector from the summit to the stone hut and/or the first trail junction.

Print out a few pages of SAR mission summaries from http://www.rmru.org web site and hand out the summaries as reading material during the drive up the hill. The mission stories might make your gang more safety conscious and might inspire one of them to join a SAR unit.

[Hoss]

Rob,

Thanks for the advice. I'm well seasoned in dealing with college hikers. I take a sick satisfaction in ruining their peaceful slumber to my warbled renditions of Madonna's greatest hits, so getting them squared away and on the trail won't be a problem.

However, I do love your suggestion on the SAR stories. If these guys have a weakness, its that they think themselves to be invincible. Just a couple weeks ago I was doing some technical canyoneering in Pasadena and, after rappelling the final waterfall, we came across a medevac helo - apparently some day-hiker was on an exposed route to get to the top of the falls, slipped and fell, cracking open his head and causing a terrible mess.

Very sobering experience for us.

Anyway, thank you again. About how long is the drive up 4S01 from Idyllwyld to the Black Mountain/Fuller's Ridge trailhead?

Any suggestions on restaurants to regroup and refuel at in town?

- Hoss