2011-07-23 Tahquitz Peak via Devil's Slide Hiking Trip

[OLLIE]

I want to thank everyone who came out for this trip. If not for the smoke from distant fires near Werner Springs this would have been a perfect trip. Smoke aside, it was still incredible. We had 9 people show up and all 9 made it to the Tahquitz Lookout Tower. Including the time we sat at the top, it took us about 6 hours to complete this out and back trail. I am processing pics right now and will have them up shortly.

Tahquitz Peak Baggers:
gon2srf
Ricardo
Andreas
Christina
Dave
Angel
John
BorregoWrangler
Ollie

[BorregoWrangler]

It was an amazing hike up to the fire lookout. Thanks for putting this together, Ollie! The sore legs are definitly worth it. Since I didn't bring a camera I'll be looking forward to seeing what pictures everyone else got.

[gon2srf]

It was great to see you guys as well as meeting the others. That was a great hike and the views and sights from beginning to end were spectacular, I'm still on an adrenaline high from yesterday. It's hard to believe that Tahquitz Peak is only 110 miles from my home in Costa Mesa, it felt like a million. So Ollie, I'm ready to tackle San Jacinto as a two dayer, when do you have a spare weekend.

I'll post up pics this afternoon.

[BorregoWrangler]

I'm ready to tackle San Jacinto as a two dayer, when do you have a spare weekend.

I'm up for that!

[OLLIE]

Here are few pics Skytrax got of the group...





Scott telling a fish story.

[gon2srf]

Thanks for posting those Ollie, now what about San Jacinto next month??

[OLLIE]

Thanks for posting those Ollie, now what about San Jacinto next month??

Let me check my schedule. I also have to research the temps (which I've discussed via email) and the water sources. If there is no water flow at the seeps then we have two hump two days worth of drinking water and cookng water on top of all the other gear. I'll research it and let you know.

I've also got some of my own pics to post yet on this report. I'm trying to also organize the Meet & Greet for August 20th and get ready for a week long business trip next week to San Marcos, TX. "So much time and so little to do.... Wait... Strike that and reverse it."

[gon2srf]

Thanks for posting those Ollie, now what about San Jacinto next month??

Let me check my schedule. I also have to research the temps (which I've discussed via email) and the water sources. If there is no water flow at the seeps then we have two hump two days worth of drinking water and cookng water on top of all the other gear. I'll research it and let you know.

I've also got some of my own pics to post yet on this report. I'm trying to also organize the Meet & Greet for August 20th and get ready for a week long business trip next week to San Marcos, TX. "So much time and so little to do.... Wait... Strike that and reverse it."

Everything I have read so far shows readily available water sources 365 days a year 29 out of the last 30 years, just need a purifier. I wouldn't count my life on it but that is what I have read. Also July and August weather patterns and temps seems to be consistantly similar. I hope we can work something out, I would like to hike with you under normal circumstances next time.

I am 99% sure I'm going, I may bring Garrett along too if we can put together the right gear. I walked/hiked 6.2 miles yesterday and today before work, had to practically drag my dog the last mile. We're both going to benefit from this training. I have the bug and seriously feel like this is going to finally get me back into shape, I'm sick of being fat.

Thanks to you Ollie.

BTW. What is your opinion about tents or lack of? I plan on going without, just a bivy, bag and hammock.

[gon2srf]

http://socalhiker.net/2010/06/mt-san-ja ... -mountain/

Jean-Guille says:
September 15, 2010 at 11:30 am
Hi Jeff,

I am planning to summit via this route next week, and while I don’t expect you to have current conditions, I was wondering about water sources. The gal at the ranger station seemed a bit confused when I asked, and said I needed to pack all my water in (saying Round Valley was the only reliable water source on the mountain), but the maps and your trail report show seasonal creeks. Any idea if those would be flowing this time of year, or if there is another reliable source of water along this route?

Thanks for any info you might have…

J-G

Reply
SoCal Hiker says:
September 15, 2010 at 4:53 pm
J-G, at this time of the year, I would agree with the ranger. The seasonal creeks run in the spring or after rain. This time of year they would be mostly dry.

There may be some water trickling through Little Round Valley, but to be safe, I wouldn’t count on it.

On the flip side, there is usually some bottles of water in the hut near the top of San Jacinto. Again, probably not wise to count on that, but good to know in case of emergency.

Have a great hike! Let me know how it goes.

Reply
Jean-Guille says:
September 26, 2010 at 6:03 am
Jeff,

Thank you for the info; we backpacked the route and it was great. For anyone rolling up in the near future, in between the Seven Pines Trail junction and Little Round Valley, there were no fewer than five water sources, in the form of springs, flowing nicely. I did not expect you to have that current level of info, but I did expect that the rangers would. No biggie, we packed in what we needed, but just sayin’…

Thanks again,

[OLLIE]

BTW. What is your opinion about tents or lack of? I plan on going without, just a bivy, bag and hammock.

Scott,

If you haven't already seen them, refer to these two links below. The first one talks a little about packs and essentials. The second one is where Dennis and I have had some discussion about bivvies vs. tents. Raise some of your concerns or questions about gear in those threads after reading them and matbe we can get some very valuable dialogue going.

http://www.oausa.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2746

http://www.oausa.net/forums/viewtopic.p ... 215#p24215


The water source question is a whole thread in itself which I can get started as well and we can get some dialogue going. As you know, Food, Water, and Shelter are the key ingredients to any adventure and the most critical is water and water purification methods / devices. I'll try to get that thread started tonight.

On the San Jacinto hike, I am not syaing I am not or won't go but that we really need to check out conditions first (and I know you agree) and you are obviously doing your research. Jacinto will bite you. It claims lives nearly every year from people making stupid mistakes. Te supplies in that cabin are not for every day use. THose are emergency supplies left there by people who have a little excess when they hit the top. So that when people make those mistakes they have something to try and get by on until help arrives or weather clears, etc. Last year in September of 2010 the snow cap on top of Jacinto had just finished melting causing some trickles down the mountain. When we wen in late June there was only one on that trail and we had to set up camp, put on our day packs and hike an additional 3 miles round trip to top off all of our water containers. After humping a full pack up that mountain to the main campsite that made for a long day. You can never assume water will be there. It will bite you when you least expect it.

I am not trying to disuade you from doing this hike or lecture you but simply trying to help you be prepared. If you think offroading takes planning when traveling in remote areas, backpacking and hiing take three times the prep and research, maybe bmore depending on where you're going. I spent a year planning our Langley trip with Dave last year and we still made mistakes. Dave spent nearly six months planning the Jainto two dayer that you are talking about befor ehe done it the first time. He has done it two times since and is still very cautious about it. I am very happy that we spurred the bug in you. It's addicting and will certainly get you in shape. I lost nearly 15 pounds on the Langley trip in 5 days. Welcome to the addiction brother. The good thing about this one is that once you've got the gear the expenses taper off unlike Froading. But good gear up front. They right packs are crucial. Especially when you start talking multiday packs. On top of Jacinto, Dave and I are trying to work out another Sierra trip. We'll keep you posted on that as well. We really want to do Mt. Russell.