Trying to avoid graffiti for first-timers

MINative · Post by **MINative** » Fri Jul 24, 2015 4:49 pm

I want to take some friends to Little Jimmy Trail Camp for an easy over-nighter, it will be their first backpacking trip. Does anyone know the current state of graffiti on the section of the PCT from the parking lot off hwy 2 towards the camp?

The trail was pretty covered with graffiti last time I was there.

Thanks in advance!

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:06 am

I was there on Friday. Still loads of Graffiti.

HJ

MINative · Post by **MINative** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:51 am

Thanks for the info, too bad to hear. With its reliable water source Little Jimmy may still be the destination.

Tom Kenney · Post by **Tom Kenney** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 10:18 pm

HJ: Was this at the trailhead? I was there last summer, and didn't notice any (but I'm probably desensitized a bit). If it's just at the trailhead, the fire road alt route might be better.

EDIT:

MINative...

There's an excellent camp spot just above Lamel Spring on the Baden-Powell side. Go up one switchback past the spring until you're on a mellow bench, and the campsites are to the right. No toilets/tables, but it is a superior campsite.

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 11:50 am

Tom Kenney wrote: ↑HJ: Was this at the trailhead? I was there last summer, and didn't notice any (but I'm probably desensitized a bit).

It was on the first 1/2 mile or so of the PCT heading toward Little Jimmy from Islip Saddle. A lot of it.

Tom Kenney wrote: ↑If it's just at the trailhead, the fire road alt route might be better.

Angeles Crest Highway was closed at Islip Saddle when I was there last Friday (7/24/2015), so the service road option is out (unless you want to add in a road walk on Angeles Crest Hwy).

Tom Kenney wrote: ↑There's an excellent camp spot just above Lamel Spring on the Baden-Powell side. Go up one switchback past the spring until you're on a mellow bench, and the campsites are to the right. No toilets/tables, but it is a superior campsite.

Does Lamel have any water this year?

And it's a long drive, depending on where you live, with ACH closed at Islip Saddle.

HJ

Tom Kenney · Post by **Tom Kenney** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:09 pm

Ah. Thanks, HJ. Haven't been up from Vincent Gap in a couple years, and we didn't visit the spring then, so don't know. I always considered it as reliable as Little Jimmy spring. It's never been dry in the 30+ years I've hiked there, but this drought is 'exceptional' to say the least.

RE: the drive...it's a few more miles, but less twisty-turny (again, depends on point of origin). I'm in the SFV, so usually take I-5 -> CA-14 -> CA-138 -> Valyermo or Largo Vista -> Big Pines.

That campsite on Baden-Powell is amazing! Super views, rarely windy, well stocked with firewood, and much more quiet than Little Jimmy.

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 2:20 pm

Tom Kenney wrote: ↑Ah. Thanks, HJ. Haven't been up from Vincent Gap in a couple years, and we didn't visit the spring then, so don't know. I always considered it as reliable as Little Jimmy spring. It's never been dry in the 30+ years I've hiked there, but this drought is 'exceptional' to say the least.

As reliable as Little Jimmy? Interesting. I haven't been in a while, but I seem to remember that Lamel had a lot less flow than LJ, yes?

Tom Kenney wrote: ↑RE: the drive...it's a few more miles, but less twisty-turny (again, depends on point of origin). I'm in the SFV, so usually take I-5 -> CA-14 -> CA-138 -> Valyermo or Largo Vista -> Big Pines.

Yeah, I used to live in Glendale, 10 min. from ACH. For me it was faster to just drive the crest. Now I live in the OC, so to get to Baden-Powell, taking I-15 to to CA-138 to CA-2 is fastest.

Tom Kenney wrote: ↑That campsite on Baden-Powell is amazing! Super views, rarely windy, well stocked with firewood, and much more quiet than Little Jimmy.

Firewood?

Not so sure fires should be made in unauthorized places, particularly during a drought. Fires are only authorized where USFS grills, pits, or wood stoves exist.

HJ

Tom Kenney · Post by **Tom Kenney** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 6:25 pm

Hikin_Jim wrote: ↑
Tom Kenney wrote: ↑That campsite on Baden-Powell is amazing! Super views, rarely windy, well stocked with firewood, and much more quiet than Little Jimmy.
Firewood? Not so sure fires should be made in unauthorized places, particularly during a drought. Fires are only authorized where USFS grills, pits, or wood stoves exist.

HJ

Yeah...shows you how long it's been since I've camped in the Gabes. As for myself and fire, I think the last campfire I built was during an unplanned bivi almost 15 yrs ago.