The Seven Summits of San Jacinto -- Trip Report

[Hikin_Jim]

8/31/13 Marion Trail-LRV-Drury Photos
http://www.meetup.com/SoCal-Hikers-and- ... d=17052612

Nice pics, Jill. I liked them all -- except where someone painted "Jesus" on a rock. Nothing against Jesus; I just don't see the need to paint rocks in a wilderness.

HJ

[Ardiner]

The week before the Mounain Fire, I did a similar 7 peak jaunt with Bob McD but we traded Marion for Cornell. Originally we had planned to do the 3 peaks along the divide to make it a 10 peak day. Unfortunately we decided to drop off the face of Shirley and ended up in a mess of Chinquapin and took us too long to get down to do the last three peaks. At the time I'd considered the possibility that if we went onto Marion then down the east ridgeline back down to Wellman's that we'd have made it 11. Maybe next year.

[Hikin_Jim]

I've got to try out that route down the east ridge of Marion that you and I talked about. It sounds like a better route than the one that comes up the drainage just to the north. Besides, it's a good excuse to get into the "heart of the San Jacintos", the summit plateau region above 10,000' -- the real gem of the SJ's.

HJ

[Jill G]

9/14/13: We went back to the lovely backcountry to visit Shirley, Jean and Drury. We took Marion trail to Deer Springs junction then left the trail at the drainage heading xctry up to the plateau between Rockpile and Marion.

Took the ridge to Shirley, stopped for lunch and fantastic Riley's Apple Pie, then continued on to Jean. Great photo ops at the rock jumbles.

Descended Jean to Newton Drury then LRV back to the trail. Ideal weather, saw no one else on the trail or in the backcountry until we came down Deer Springs/Marion in the afternoon.
Pics here: http://www.meetup.com/SoCal-Hikers-and- ... d=17327312

[Hikin_Jim]

Nice stuff. I like that one fluted and scalloped rock.

HJ

[Jill G]

10/5/13 Went up Deer Springs Trail yesterday with a small group (Steve Fausset, Lori O, Heather Hill , Jim Green) from SoCal Hike and Peakbag. We took the trail to the sharp switchback at Miller Saddle where we saw Kathryn, Jack & Joe from the San Jacinto group. We then left the trail to scramble up Miller, then took San Jac east ridge to the summit. Went down the west side of the ridge to Folly. Traversed at 10k' back to the trail switchbacks just above LRV then took the looooooooong way home to Deer Springs.
Most impressed by Folly and the outstanding views all day. Crystal clear 360 forever views.
Happy strong group and a wonderful finish to my Seven Summits!
Thanks to HJ for the blog and info.
Pics here: http://www.meetup.com/SoCal-Hikers-and- ... 141484482/

[Hikin_Jim]

Jill, glad you got to do that route from San Jac down to Folly. Absolutely one of my favorite, most fun XC routes. And, as you say, amazing views to the north. You picked a stellar weekend for it as well -- great air quailty.

HJ