Backpacking Trips

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• PS - Camp -Hike: Little Round Valley & San Jacinto Peak Overnight (SAVE THE DATE)

  • Start
    Tue, June 24, 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • End
    Wed, June 25, 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    San Jacinto State Park
  • Spaces left
    8

  We will hike from the PS Tramway upper station to Little Round Valley on Mt. San Jacinto's west slope via the Sid Davis, Peak, and Deer Spring Trails to the Little Round Valley Campground to camp for the night (5.5mi). Once set-up, optional side hikes to Drury and Jean peaks will be available (approximately 3mi). Returning Tuesday morning, we will summit San Jacinto and Miller peaks then returning to the Tram station via the Round Valley trail for a total of 12mi roundtrip (plus side hikes for the willing on day 1).

  • Distance: 13-14 total miles
  • Total Elevation: 3,650'
  • Duration: 7-8 hours
  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Maximum Elevation: 10,804’
  • Minimum Elevation 8000’
  • Type: Out and back 
  • Terrain: trail, rocky, some non-maintained off-trail routes, and bouldering last 300 feet to the top of San Jacinto peak.
  • Hiking Requirements - you will need to be in good physical condition for this hike.  Click here for more information. This hike requires agility, flexibility some scrambling experience to negotiate bouldering and vegetation, and longer hiking distances.
    
  • Camping requirements: campsite will be pre-reserved by the hike leader. Participants must carry all equipment, clothing, food, and water required for 2 days with low temperatures at night:
  • Equipment: tent, sleeping bag/liner, pad, ground cover, camp stove (if desired, fires are not permitted), headlamp/flashlight, personal items, and food utensils.
  • Ten Essentials (click here), water (minimum 4 liters recommended), water treatment method, sun protection, layered clothing (bring light weight windbreaker jacket), hiking poles may be helpful. Carry Emergency Contact Information (ICE). Sturdy hiking footwear with good tread and adequate drinking water* are required.
  • Clothing: layered clothing, warm hat or cap, insulated jackets, socks, gloves/mittens, rain gear, and other items to keep warm at night.
  • Food: sufficient food for hiking and 4 meals, as well as emergency snacks and energy/electrolyte sources.

  *You must bring sufficient water for the full 2 days; while some water may be available in creeks, that cannot be relied upon at this time of year either at the Round Valley seasonal ranger station pipe or the Little Round Valley creek. Any water located must be treated prior to drinking.

  Meeting location: PS Tramway lower station at 9:30am to board the 10am tram to the mountain station.

  Hike Leader: Tom W.

  All participants must be pre-approved prior to beginning of the hike. Each registrant will be contacted prior to the event to ensure understanding of the hike requirements and fitness for completing the event. At that time, please discuss any medical concerns with the hike leader that may affect your ability to complete the hike.

  
  

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• OCLB - McGee Pass Backpack

  • Start
    Fri, July 11, 2025
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • End
    Tue, July 15, 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM
  • Location
    McGee Pass Trailhead
  • Spaces left
    2
  • Registered
    3 registrants

  Register

  

  Great Outdoors Orange County/Long Beach presents

  McGee Pass Backpack

  July 11 - July 15, 2025

  Trip Leader: Juan Carlos Hernandez, email: jceatm24@msn.com, phone:  805-302-0717 

  John Muir Wilderness?

  Yes Please!

  
  

  This is an exciting and challenging 5-day backpacking trip under the Easter Sierra Sky. Tully Lake, located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada region, is described as a serene and picturesque destination that embodies the rugged beauty of the area. The lake is praised for its crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering granite peaks, lush alpine meadows, and evergreen forests. The dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada adds to the allure. We will leave from the McGee Creek trailhead at 8 AM on the morning of July 11th at 8,045 feet. At first, our ascent will be moderate. After passing locally known Round Lake at the 5-mile mark, we will climb more steeply, heading to Big McGee Lake at about 7 ½ miles at altitude 10,472 feet. There are heavily used campsites at the lake where we will stay the night. We will be surrounded by the colorful walls of the Red Mountain and White Mountain.

  On day two, we will cover 5.5 miles, crossing over McGee Pass at 11,909 feet, and then descend steeply to Fish Creek, crossing the creek at about 10,600 feet to camp at beautiful Tully Lake.

  We will spend the remainder of our stay at Tully Lake and enjoy exploring the surrounding lakes and valleys. Plenty of great views, fishing, day hikes, or just relaxing around the scenic lake.

  This backpacking trip is considered strenuous/moderate, and you must be able to keep a moderate pace with the entire group. The trip will be limited to 6 people max including the trip leader and interested members must register with the GO, be members in good standing and have experience backpacking overnight 4 nights or more.

  
  

  Things to consider.

  • July 11th Arrive at Campgroup and acclimate to elevation
  • July12th Departure from Trailhead at 8am sharp
  • July 12th spend the night at Big McGee Lake and explore the lake at your leisure 
  •  July 13th departure for Tully Lake at 8am and ascend McGee Pass, spend the night at Tully Lake.
  •  July 14th explore Tully Lake and surrounding Trails 
  • July 15thth Pack up and Return to Trailhead at 8am 
  • Dates subject to change based on permit availability 
  • It is imperative you must be able to keep up with group on this trip as we will be covering 13 miles on the last day of the trip to the trail head
  •  Acclimation campground close to trailhead McGee Creek Campground 37° 33' 51.9998" N 118° 47' 4.9999" W on July11, 2024
  • Two campgrounds will be reserved for participants arriving that day.
  • Cancelation policy: 100% refund prior to June 27thth 2025 notice in order to provide wait list participants enough time to organize.
  • Please be aware that you are not registered for this backpack trip until the trip leader has determined you are qualified, and you have completed and submitted the registration form and payment of $40.
  • The registration form needs to be returned to the trip leader and payment made within 7 days of receiving the registration form or the trip leader will contact the next person on the waiting list, and you will forfeit your spot.
  •  Please email the trip leader or call to set up a brief assessment before registration will be sent out to interested members. 

  • Click here for a map of the trailhead.

  
  

  
  
  

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