New Year's Day on San J

[Sally]

Happy New Year Everyone!

I FINALLY got to see for myself what many of you have witnessed these past weeks. Ellen and Robin and I took the first tram up this morning. It was pretty crazy with all the snow bunnies up there on the tram with us. We donned snowshoes after a half hour of tramping in MicroSpikes. I really don't know what to say it was so beautiful. I've never heard ice tinkling like wind chimes in the trees before or seen the snow so sparkly or icicles in such bizarre shapes. The weather was mild (unlike the previous two days when Ellen went up) and the snow was perfect! The company was wonderful, it was nice getting to meet Robin, a new hiking buddy. Thank you Ellen for trudging up that mountain one more time so I could get to experience this exquisite day.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sallymorley ... directlink

[Vnthali]

Great pictures. It looks like the day was perfect.

[lilbitmo]

Sally,

Nice TR and great pictures - Happy New Years to you as well, glad you made it out into the winter wonderland.

[phydeux]

Nice pictures. The ones with close-ups of the trees looks like there was some serious wind blowing through with the last series of storms.

Was going to get up there, but thought there would be a ton of people up there, so I spent Saturday riding an MTB from El Cariso to Santiago Peak via the Main Divide fire road over in the Santa Ana Mtns. San J & San G looked WHITE! Gotta get up there next weekend since the holiday crowds should be gone.

FWIW: Santiago Peak (5800 ft) had some snow near the top in the shaded areas; nothing blocking the Main Divide fire road, but nice to see the 'white stuff' up there. Probably get a little more with this current storm.

[Sally]

Hi Tyrus - Thank you! You and I ought to give the REAL San Jacinto Peak another shot! (ha ha)

Thanks Patrick - Ellen says she's going to get you to lead us up Baldy Bowl this winter!

phydeux, thanks! What a coincidence - my daughter did Santiago Peak on New Year's Eve, said the views were great. Was it you that I discussed doing Eagle Crag (in the Agua Tibia Wilderness) with last year? This is the right time of year to do it!

[lilbitmo]

Thanks Patrick - Ellen says she's going to get you to lead us up Baldy Bowl this winter!

Be glad to, we have plenty of white stuff to do so, just need it to consolidate and then we can go, Taco is doing a class at the base of the bowl on this Saturday, might be a good fun to come join everyone?

Patrick

[Lcpl Hughes]

Hi Tyrus - Thank you! You and I ought to give the REAL San Jacinto Peak another shot! (ha ha)

Thanks Patrick - Ellen says she's going to get you to lead us up Baldy Bowl this winter!

phydeux, thanks! What a coincidence - my daughter did Santiago Peak on New Year's Eve, said the views were great. Was it you that I discussed doing Eagle Crag (in the Agua Tibia Wilderness) with last year? This is the right time of year to do it!

Hey Sally..nice pictures! I had the great opportunity of going up to the peak 3 times last week..1 time with Ellen and Karin on New Years Eve..it is too cool up there
and that was me you were talking about Eagle Crag with..I went there about 2 years ago this time of the year, definitely an excellent hike and about 18 miles RT, but not too tough of an 18 miler..

[Lcpl Hughes]

Thanks Patrick - Ellen says she's going to get you to lead us up Baldy Bowl this winter!

Be glad to, we have plenty of white stuff to do so, just need it to consolidate and then we can go, Taco is doing a class at the base of the bowl on this Saturday, might be a good fun to come join everyone?

Patrick

Hey Patrick, I am interested in the class..do you know the time?

[lilbitmo]

Thanks Patrick - Ellen says she's going to get you to lead us up Baldy Bowl this winter!

Be glad to, we have plenty of white stuff to do so, just need it to consolidate and then we can go, Taco is doing a class at the base of the bowl on this Saturday, might be a good fun to come join everyone?

Patrick

Hey Patrick, I am interested in the class..do you know the time?

Parking Lot at Manker Flats at 6:30 AM, or Ski Hut at 8:30 AM

[Ellen]

Howdy Sister Sally

Thanks again for an absolutely stellar day I've decided you look a lot better in your summit pictures than I do

Howdy Lilbitmo

Thanks for being willing to take us up the Baldy Bowl I wonder how much more snow we will receive in this weather system and how long it will take to consolidate.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen