October 2015 Meet and Trail Run

[TheSentinel]

[MENTION=77357]85straight[/MENTION] said:
"I have a route in mind that is very easy going if people wanted to bring their families and could make a whole day out of it.
Enter Rouse Hill truck trail on Hwy 74 and follow to/through Thomas Mountain and end up back on 74 headed west (about 2 hrs give or take depending on speed). Then head towards 371 into Idyllwild (about 25 minutes of pavement). Get onto Bee Canyon in Pine Cove and head back down the mountain. I have taken this route several times, it offers many spots to take in the scenery, pull over for lunch, and if people want to head out before bee canyon they may do so. This route doesn't require a leader as it would be very difficult to get lost."

Any comments on the suggestion? A route like this would mean more trail time and more scenic views. A Bee Canyon stand alone run is a bit short for the drive some guys are making to meet up. I'd like to lock in the route by next week. Of course, this doesn't prevent guys from breaking off and doing their own trails.

 

[TheSentinel]

I have attached a map for reference on my previous post.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I like that route. Let's do it.

I need to book a campsite and that looks pretty close to idlywild.

How difficult is that trail? Could a 2wd do it? 5S15 looks like a solid green "street legal easy" based on a map I found online but that's fine with me.

I can always split off for something more difficult on Sunday morning.

 

[TheSentinel]

I like that route. Let's do it.

I need to book a campsite and that looks pretty close to idlywild.

How difficult is that trail? Could a 2wd do it? 5S15 looks like a solid green "street legal easy" based on a map I found online but that's fine with me.

I can always split off for something more difficult on Sunday morning.

Yes, the last time I went up, it was an easy run. Both legs can be done in a 2WD. Note: Bee Canyon wasn't green, it was actually a "more difficult" blue square, but I could have made it up in 2WD, had I chosen to do so. Anyone who know's differently, please let me know. I'll call the ranger station to verify tomorrow.

 

[85straight]

Apologies to [MENTION=60694]TheSentinel[/MENTION] for procrastinating on that post.

That route is very easy going unless there is some snow on the ground. As far as more difficult trails in the area there isnt really anything close to challenging, 4s21 is rated as a blue square I believe but last time I went up that way I didnt even go into 4wd.
[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] is it a must you camp in the town of idyllwild? As mentioned before black mountain yellowpost sites are awesome and if those are taken a short drive to thomas mountain yellowpost sites(shown on the map above) are usually my go to. Ive spent days up there and barely saw a few other people. We should nail down some details as to meet up spot etc because this is getting a little confusing

 

[85straight]

I think I should also mention the route up(rouse hill) starts at the valley floor and climbs id guess 3,000-4,500 up the mountain so it starts desert-ish and slowly turns into pine forest etc. Same goes for bee canyon but in reverse. May be hard to tell without looking at a topo map

 

[TheSentinel]

Apologies to [MENTION=60694]TheSentinel[/MENTION] for procrastinating on that post.

That route is very easy going unless there is some snow on the ground. As far as more difficult trails in the area there isnt really anything close to challenging, 4s21 is rated as a blue square I believe but last time I went up that way I didnt even go into 4wd.
[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] is it a must you camp in the town of idyllwild? As mentioned before black mountain yellowpost sites are awesome and if those are taken a short drive to thomas mountain yellowpost sites(shown on the map above) are usually my go to. Ive spent days up there and barely saw a few other people. We should nail down some details as to meet up spot etc because this is getting a little confusing

No biggie. I would imagine that we would chose a meet up spot with parking in Idyllwild and grab lunch. Anyone have any favorites up there? The first leg can be done as a group, some folks would stay up for camping, others would pair up and run down Bee Canyon or the 74.

Tripadvisor Idyllwild Restaurants

 

[85straight]

No biggie. I would imagine that we would chose a meet up spot with parking in Idyllwild and grab lunch. Anyone have any favorites up there? The first leg can be done as a group, some folks would stay up for camping, others would pair up and run down Bee Canyon or the 74.

Tripadvisor Idyllwild Restaurants

So heres my thought,
Meet up at the ranger station on hwy74 in the morning( bottom of hill, starting point for rouse hill) make our way up the mountain and be in Idyllwild sometime in the afternoon. Get a bite to eat and head down bee canyon putting us back on hwy74 in the late afternoon/early evening. Thoughts?

Also I can say the mill has some pretty good burgers

 

[BrianSD_42]

BrianSD_42 is it a must you camp in the town of idyllwild?

No. Not at all.

I'm fine with big bear.

I would prefer to know where to book a campsite soon (by tomorrow?) so I can book a reservation.

I do find idlywild interesting as a possibility. I have been there before but never to go off-road.

 

[TheSentinel]

So heres my thought,
Meet up at the ranger station on hwy74 in the morning( bottom of hill, starting point for rouse hill) make our way up the mountain and be in Idyllwild sometime in the afternoon. Get a bite to eat and head down bee canyon putting us back on hwy74 in the late afternoon/early evening. Thoughts?

Also I can say the mill has some pretty good burgers

Time frame looks good to me. I was looking at the Mill too, parking might be tricky on the weekend. Show time for the run at the ranger station @9:30am, depart @10am? 2 hours will put us at a noon lunch. Next is my concern...my wife will want to shop. I'm assuming that some folks may want to stay up in Idyllwild. I suppose those that want to continue down Bee Canyon should form up at the trail head by 2:30pm if they want to go down as a group. It won't take very long to get down. I am also willing to bet that my kids will want to stop and play in the water for a bit on the way down.

 

[TheSentinel]

[MENTION=77357]85straight[/MENTION] I updated the first post with the modified run an tentative schedule. Give it a glance when you get a chance.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

What happened to 4S21?

 

[TheSentinel]

What happened to 4S21?

That is still an option. I can repost the info for the optional run.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Just curious. I saw it missing from the original post. :tape:

EDIT: I'm out. Got parts showing up that weekend. Will be installing lift(finally!). Have fun! Keep the shiny side up!

 

[RedRun85]

5s09 (Bee canyon) is easy bone stock no problem. 4s21 off that is a fun twisty rutted trail with a nice view of Diamond valley lake. I have not done Rouse before. There's camping at lake hemet, Hurkee creek and some yellow post off 5s09 close to pine cove. Not sure if I can make it that day.

 

[BrianSD_42]

These are just my thoughts, tell me what you all think....

Can we start earlier. Something with the goal of hitting the trailhead no later than 9.

Perhaps those meeting for gas do it at 8, that way you will all be on the road by 8:30 and we can hit the trail at 9.

Otherwise I worry we will hit the trail at 10 - 10:30

Plus if we start by 9 then the group can hit up other trails as desired later in the afternoon. Maybe run that blue trail.

2 hours will put us at a noon lunch. Next is my concern...my wife will want to shop

Is it safe to assume we'll be eating on the trail? My plans were (as always) to pack lunch and stop on the trail; not go back into town.

Edit: I see the original post has changed. I have no problem if everyone wants to stop for lunch and shopping. I'll be with another truck. We may just go on ahead and meet up with everyone later on the trail.

 

[TheSentinel]

Someone requested a latter start time at one point. Can everyone be there by 9AM? [MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] I changed the start location to the ranger station off of 74. We'll leave breakfast and gas up to the individual. There are places along the way where you can stop for a picnic/pictures. The reason I posted the 3 different meet times are so if someone wants to go off and do their own thing (or sleeps in accidentally), and wants to meet up later, they can do that.

Also, hopefully tomorrow, I can get the trail conditions verified. I realized that I posted conflicting information on the difficulty of Indian Mountain. One source says black diamond, another, older source says blue square.

 

[TK-422]

9 is the earliest for me. I have a 2 hour drive just to get there. :flypig:

 

[Drunner97]

^ Same. Have you ever tried to get a six year old to wake up early on a weekend? It's not easy. I might also have a buddy and his daughter riding with me, but I'll have to confirm with him after we get an initial start time to find out whether or not he's going to make it. Otherwise, the route looks good. I may split off before Bee Canyon depending on how the kid(s) are acting, but I'm planning on the whole day. Lunch on the trail or at a restaurant is fine with me.

edit: Anaheim to the Ranger station puts me at 1hr 23 mins assuming no traffic. I'm planning on leaving at 7 so I have time to stop for gas and last minute snacks when I get closer to the ranger station. Shouldn't be a problem to be there by 830-9 as long as I can get my kid up and running by 630.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Sweet. Ill be at the Ranger station at 8:45.

See you-all there. Anyone interested in camping PM me. Our group is staying at Idyllwild Campground in Mt San Jacinto State Park. There are about 10 open campsites if you book now.