Went up yesterday with Krai and Janine.
Wow, what a difference in four days -- significant snow melt in Long Valley and the Sid Davis Drainage. On the positive side, the snow higher up had consolidated so we weren't post holing, but this also meant that the brush above Tamarack wasn't covered. We followed the tracks that Sally and I made on our Wed descent and started shrubshoeing at about 9.5 K
When we reached the little forest, we looked up at the winter route up to Miller Saddle and saw substantial amounts of exposed brush and rocks. Ugh -- we weren't going up that way. Now I know what PBerg encountered on Friday. Looks like the "winter route" was good for Wednesday only 
Headed up through the forest to the what Indie Jack calls "Jean's crotch" -- the base of a nice gully that heads up to the ridge to the right of Jean peak. I love switchbacking up the gully to the ridge. Janine picked a good line so we weren't battling with brush or rocks. Once on the saddle, we decided to go to Jean. Taversed around on the south side of the ridge to the peak, then found a place out of the wind for a snack. Headed back to the saddle, then stayed on the south side of the ridge heading over to San Jacinto. As we headed up the summit mound, it became colder with artic gusts. Took a quick summit photo and headed down to the hut for lunch.
Followed the ridge down to Miller Saddle and started down the trail. I hate snowshoeing on trails -- it is mind numbing
Decided to head down the side of the ridge, zig zagging to avoid brush and rocks. Once back in the little forest, it was just a matter of retracing our route back to Tamarack and the Sid Davis Drainage. We stayed on the north side of the drainage to take advantage of better snow and fewer rocks -- some other folks had laid tracks before us.
The incoming storm system made it's presence known as we climbed up the cemet switchbacks. Grabbed the next tram down and enjoyed a great meal at the original Las Casuelas. It started raining as we left Palm Springs -- the deluge hit full force in Cabazon and the traffic slowed to a crawl all the way to Beaumont.
Thanks to Krai and Janine for a great day
Hopefully this last system will allow us to tramshoe a bit longer.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen