Camping/ No permit

[tinaballina]

i don't have a permit to camp in round valley and/or tamarack (unsure of spelling) for saturday night, the ranger station when i call are not that helpful. my question is, is there camping anywhere up there that does not require a permit that is not over 45 minutes from the tram station?
thank you in advanced.

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi, Tina, no there isn't anywhere near the tram that you can camp w/o a permit. Did you talk to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park folks or the USFS?

The two camps that are close to the tram are Round Valley and Tamarack. For these two, you need to talk to the State Park folks at 951-659-2607. All of the State Park backcountry camps are marked on this map: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/636/files ... oSPmap.pdf You'll also need to fill out this form in order to camp in the State Park backcountry: http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/636/files/dpr409.pdf

You can also go over Hidden Divide and camp in the vicinity of Laws Camp. It's not a hard hike to Laws, but getting there is definitely over 45 minutes. Laws is more like a 2 hour hike. For Laws, you need a USFS permit. Permit application: http://www.fsva.org/pdf/Wilderness%20Pe ... 20MSJW.pdf
The USFS permits are assigned for a zone instead of a specific camp. Permit Zone Map: http://www.fsva.org/pdf/WildernessMap_2007%20II.pdf You may also want to take a look at this USFS permit info: http://www.fsva.org/pdf/Why%20A%20Wilde ... Permit.pdf

HJ

PS For a measley 45 minutes more hiking past Laws Camp, you can camp in Tahquitz Valley where my party will be (vic. of Reed's Meadow), where all the cool people hang out.

[tinaballina]

thank you Jim, much appreciated.

[tinaballina]

so i can't fax an application filled out to anyone correct?

[Hikin_Jim]

You're welcome.

I was able to get a permit for the Saturday of Labor Day weekend on very short notice recently from the USFS. I lined everything up on the phone, faxed everything in, and they faxed it all back. I found them very accomodating.

By the way, there's a nice side trip available from Laws Camp to some falls just downstream from Caramba that have swimmable pools.

HJ

PS I had some trouble with the USFS fax number. It was wrong on the application. I don't know if they have corrected it. You should call to confirm that they've received the fax once you've sent it.

[tinaballina]

thanx again Jim, i just faxed. i hate to say i don't have time to look into it more but i really don't. work is a bit busy so i am trying to juggle a few things and feeling overwhelmed so i appreciate all your help.
have a great hike, let me know next time you are around because we have to do skyline together one of these days.

[Hikin_Jim]

Skyline together? Maybe for a nanosecond or two. I think you're a lot faster than I am. I'll start at 0200, and you can start at 0400 and whiz by me on the trail.

Sign me,

Slo-mo Jimbo

[tinaballina]

How was your trip?

[Hikin_Jim]

How was your trip?

It was a really nice trip overall. Here are some photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/jim.barbour/WTCTahquitzRedTahquitz#slideshow

Saturday was cold, windy, and wet, but Sunday was cool, calm, and clear. We climbed Tahquitz Pk on Saturday in a gray mist. The visibility was down to 10 feet at times. We all wore GoreTex most of the day. Saturday afternoon, we just chilled in our tents. Fortunately, I have a pretty nice Big Agnes tent that is pretty roomy. My friend, Jared, and I just talked, read, and took a nap. Our group had a really nice "happy hour" (a backpacker's potluck). We had indian food, fresh fruit, brownies, Israeli chocolate spread, pasta, two kinds of wine, and all sorts of other goodies. Apparently, it's not just the army that travels on its stomach.

Sunday, we did an XC route to Red Tahquitz. I hadn't been up Red Tahquitz for about 20 years, and I had forgotten what a spectacular view there is to be had from the summit. I'm not sure that Red Tahquitz's view can outdo the summit of San Jacinto itself, but it comes close.

This was the final requirement for Jared and me to complete our Sierra Club Wilderness Travel Course (WTC), so we were quite happy to complete the trip. The margaritas at La Casita are quite good by the way.

[SummitGreen]

Jim,

Wow you basically summarized everything I need to know about the permit info. I was sooo confused reading the 2 different sites on Park.gov and USVA....

I even called one of the #s and they said i had to talk to another department etc.. etc.. and I couldnt find out exactly which permit I needed.

I guess if I take the tram up I can just get it same day up at the top ranger office.