TR Sunday Dec 27, Miller and San Jacinto peaks

[mark2812]

Jim P (Calicokat) and I had a terrific day on San Jacinto on Sunday. We took the first tram up. We did not bring our snowshoes thinking the conditions would be consolidated enough to not require...(we were hoping) We put on our crampons at the ranger station, dropped our permit and took the sid davis route thru the drainage. We had great snow thru this section, no postholing at all (and I have a PhD in postholing) we walked thru the northern edge of Tamarack with Cornell slope just to our right...we then took a path straight up to Miller Peak, here we hit a few icy patches and again the snow was consolidated - cold enough that we did not sink - just a few spots here and there. (if I don't posthole, no one will!!) As we were going up this section, we ran into the three hikers that I read were lost on Monday. - They slept over on the ridge going up to Miller peak and did not really have the gear to ascend a icy slope.we asked them if they needed anything and they said no..they were planning to hike to Idywild..they were in the process of roping together -even though they did not have any self arrest or crampon gear. ..next time, hopefully they will bring crampons or snowshoes as the conditions going up to the summit definitely require this...very firm conditions. We summited Miller Peak, took some photos then dropped to the saddle and then took the ridge up to San Jacinto. Here the snow was glorious..Beautiful power snow on top, sinking just about 4 inches, below that layer was a hard pack..wow..it would have been nice to have skis for this section as it was fluffy, powder.
We got to the summit at around Noon and had a snack and a few photos. We had the entire mountain to ourselves .... it was a bit cold but warm enough to hang around for 30 min...we then made our way down via Miller Saddle, thru Tamarck ...via the drainage.

Another great day on San jacinto. Anyone going up to the peak, be sure to bring crampons and ice axe as the conditions in a bunch of spots are very firm, if it stays cool, not necessary to bring snowshoes as well as Dr posthole(myself) did not sink.

As usual, Jim P took some great photos - just have to figure out how to post them on the site.

Happy holidays and see you on the mountain.

[EMan]

So where are the pix? It's almost last year's news already!
Sorry I missed the fun. Sounds like another fantabulous jaunt on SJ.

[calicokat]

Thanks Mark for the trip report. It was a great day on the mountain and........here are some pics

Summit Shot


Looking At Gorgonio


Icy Rocks


Mark On Summit


Me On Summit


Snow Was Great To Climb On


Looking Down Towards The Coachella Valley


Mt. Baldy

[EMan]

Looks like a magnificent day.
Nice send, you guys!

Happy New Year.

[tinaballina]

i like your black jacket, what make is that?

[halhiker]

i like your black jacket, what make is that?

Tina,
It looks like this one to me.

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product ... 4700-0-155

[tinaballina]

i like your black jacket, what make is that?

Tina,
It looks like this one to me.

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product ... 4700-0-155

thanks Hal, i think i like it.
BTW, what did you end up doing for your last hike of the year new year's eve?

[halhiker]

i like your black jacket, what make is that?

Tina,
It looks like this one to me.

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product ... 4700-0-155

thanks Hal, i think i like it.
BTW, what did you end up doing for your last hike of the year new year's eve?

This one:
http://hikeeveryday.blogspot.com/2009/1 ... lseye.html

[tinaballina]

very nice my friend, very nice.
congrats btw...quite an accomplishment.