Devils Slide to Fire Lookout conditions?

[apage]

Hi all,
I'm looking to hike to the fire lookout on Sunday via Devils Slide. If you've been up this route in the past day or two can you advise if the route is passable with microspikes?
Thanks

[Hikin_Jim]

I went up before President's Day, so I don't have current information, but I will say that snow really piles up on the N. Face of Tahquitz Peak. I'm sure you can get up to Saddle Junction and then over to the PCT/S Ridge Trail Jct. It's the stretch PCT/S Ridge Trail Jct that is the most precipitous and will have the most snow. Were it I, I would go for it and then just assess when I got to the traverse across the steep N face of Tahquitz. If the path to Tahquitz Peak and the lookout is post hole city and you'd rather not, then you could just go up to Wellman's Divide for a little exercise. Probably less snow, and by far less precipitous.

HJ

[jeff262]

Please use extreme caution on the traverse before the lookout. Under the right conditions it can become very tricky with ice. I would think the recent heat has created some good freeze thaw cycles to create ice. I have turned around in the past when confronted by bad conditions there. I recall a tragic death in that spot years ago when a hiker slid to his death.

[apage]

Thank you for your help. If anyone hikes this route on Saturday I'd be stoked to hear what conditions you encounter.