After a quick trip to (Thurs) and from (Fri) Chicago for a meeting, I needed serious mountain therapy. Also wanted to see if the last storm had dumped any new snow on my favorite mountain
You know you're been hiking in the same place too long when BC skiers in the parking lot ask you if hike on San J every day 
Headed out with Kathryn and Hengst Joe. Followed the wrong tracks
up the Sid Davis and eventually wound up on the saddle between Harvard and Cornell. We traversed around Cornell, which wasn't particularly fun due to the angle of the slope. Finally wound up below Miller and traversed up towards the Miller Saddle. By this time, I was sick of traversing and decided to just go UP. After some huffing and puffing, ended up on the summit of Miller. Joe and Kathryn shortly joined me and we dropped to the Miller Saddle and made our way up San J.
The ridge "freeway" to the summit caused by the number of people from the previous weekend was now covered with several inches of new snow. We saw ski tracks as we made our way up the ridge. The summit was beautiful -- still very windy with ice on the sign, rock and trees. Made our way down to the hut for lunch where we encountered the skiers I had met in the parking lot. As they left, Bob (volunteer ranger for San Gorgonio Wilderness Association) snow shoed down from the summit and joined us. We all headed down together. Tried glissading but the snow was too soft. Blast -- wanted a bit of a free ride after all that work touring the San Jacintos
Arrived back at the tram around 3 PM and enjoyed the ritual beer. I should have been warned when Craig asked why we were back later than usual. We headed down to board the tram around 4:30 and saw the largest mass of humanity I've ever seen waiting in line
The mob of people extended back into the other room. We got in line and waited...waited...waited 
By the time we reached the turnstile, I was crabby from low blood sugar. Patrick, bless his heart, cheered me up with his customary cheerfulness as we headed into the boarding area.
On the deck we discovered part of the reason for the long wait. Both Nick-SJM and Craig told us they'd had numerous medical emergenices related to the altitude. Thus, trams were commandeered to get these folks down as quickly as possible. Even children were affected -- we saw one with an oxygen tank. Nick-SJM spent most of his day on the mountain tending to and evacuating these folks, assisted by fellow rangers and tram workers.
We also learned that a long wait is not unusual this time of year later in the afternoon. Story moral -- get on the tram by 3 PM. I arrived home at 7 PM and enjoyed reheated Vince's spaghetti and garlic bread. Looks like I'll have to wait until next weekend to enjoy Las Casuelas
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
