Camping in skunk cabbage

[Zoila]

Hi ! I'm new here, and I was wondering if someone could help me with some questions.

We're planning hike Mt San Jacinto on the 4th July weekend. The plan is to start on Humber Park, make overnight at Skunk Cabbage, and then the next day hike to San Jacinto peak, slepping again in Skunk Cabagge. We've already obtained all the permits. I wonder if it is possible to leave the tend and some of the camping stuff in Skunk Cabagge area during "light hours" or otherwise we have to hike the peak with all the backpack.

I am also concerned about the water. Are we going to find water during the hike or in Skunk Cabbage area? I'm afraid that the creeks could be dry with this warm weather !

I would really appreciate any comments about it. We are from Europe, and this is gonna be our first backpaking hike here in US !

Thanks in advance !

Zoila

[Norris]

The ony water source near Skunk Cabbage Meadow that I know of is along the trail (but then I have never left the trail in that vicinity). It is a poor one in terms of flow, meaning it just drips / trickles, but with a pan you can collect a liter in a few minutes. It dries up later in the season but at the present time is running. I would recommend carrying 3 liters per person anyway, in case you find it dry. There is a spring-fed pipe in Round Valley also, which runs year-round, but you would have to descend from Wellman's Divide to Round Valley to get to this, then climb back over Wellmans's before descending to Skunk Cabbage meadow.

[Norris]

According to this: http://www.idyllwildchamber.com/to_do_backpacking.php#San_Jacinto_Wilderness_Zones there is also water at some creek called Will Creek:
"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. There is one yellow-post site for people with fire permits. Water is available at the north end of Skunk Cabbage Meadow and at Will Creek. Zone capacity is 75.
"

[Zoila]

Thanks a lot for the information !

[Hikin_Jim]

There should be plenty of water in the Skunk Cabbage Zone. You should be fine to leave your overnight gear there while you head to the summit and back. Just don't leave any food in your tent or any other gear you leave behind; animals may chew into your gear to get the food. Use a bear canister or similar to store your food as well as anything that might have an attractive scent (chapstick, sunscreen, soap, hand wipes, deodorant, etc.).

The info on the Idyllwild site is generally accurate, but be careful. It still lists "yellow post" sites which were removed years ago. The creek referred to I believe is Willow Creek (not Will Creek). Note that there is no camping permitted at Willow Creek Crossing due to overuse.

Great spot for a BP; enjoy!

[Ken7]

A few weeks ago when I was last there, I found plenty of water at Candi's Creek in Skunk Cabbage Meadow where the trail crosses the creek and more at Candi's Creek where the Caramba Trail crosses the creek. If you stop by or call the forest service office before your hike they will give you the latest information.

The water was clear when I was there, but I was nevertheless amazed at the sediment that accumulated on my filter.

[Hikin_Jim]

Just where is "Candi's Creek?" Is that the intermittant stream about halfway between Willow Creek Crossing and Hidden Divide?

[Ken7]

Candi's Creek appears to begin in Skunk Cabbage Meadow within that small triangle of trails just beyond Saddle Junction. It crosses the trail that passes through Skunk Cabbage Meadow (connecting the Willow Creek Trail with the trail to Laws) near the trail to Laws and then crosses the Law's Trail on the way to Law's Junction. I think it must merge into Tahquitz Creek.

[Hikin_Jim]

OK, I see which creek you mean. Probably dry by October, yes?

[Ken7]

Yes, probably dry.

I may be passing by the place where it crosses the trail to Laws this weekend. If so, I will post what I find. I am also planning a hike that will go through Skunk Cabbage Meadow in September and could report what I find then too.

There is a place, I think on the east side of the trail that crosses Skunk Cabbage meadow, where a pipe taps a spring or an underground barrel that accumulates water from a spring, like the one on the north side of the Willow Creek trail near the trail that crosses Skunk Cabbage Meadow. I saw it several years ago and hope to find it again soon. I think it sometimes flows into the Fall.