Team Artic Wolf (Lance, Carl, Karin, Kathryn, Tina and I) opted to forgo a climb on the San Bernardino Peak trail. None of us have four wheel drive vehicles or chains and we didn't want to be stranded in Angeles Oaks due to the snow. I suggested doing Miller, San Jacinto and Jean -- something I've always wanted to do in the winter.
The starting temperature was perfect -- near freezing but no wind. Wore microspikes to the bottom of Miller Saddle. Lance and Tina shot up the slope like it was nothing while I donned snowshoes -- the ascenders make climbing easier for my injured left ankle. Headed over to Miller and took a brief break -- the view from Miller is really quite nice. Tina broke out the lighter fluid
and we all got a little crazy.
We dropped down back to the saddle and headed over to San Jacinto. This section always kicks my butt. The wind was blowing pretty good on the summit -- Lance got a temperature reading of minus 18 C, so it was probably about 5 F. We didn't stay on top long as we could see the approaching weather system. Dropped down to the ridge and wound around the "bumps" on the back on the camel between San J and Jean.
By the time we arrived at Jean peak, we were in the clouds and could no longer see the desert or Inland areas. We were all hungry and made short work of lunch. Finished off the lighter fluid to celebrate the Trifecta. Lance took us down a nice saddle between Jean and San Jacinto. The snow was nice and powdery on the way down -- we only saw a few ski tracks. We hung a left at the bottom of the saddle over to Tamarack and retraced our steps back to Sid Davis Drainage. Right as we entered Long Valley, it started to snow lightly. Talk about perfect timing
Met Steve in the tram station and caught the next tram down. Completed a wonderful day with fabulous food at Las Casuelas. Thanks to everyone for a great day, especially to Lance for the orienteering and putting up with an excessive dose of estrogen.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
I think I heard her while on was on Telegraph Peak 
