Howdy All
Karin and I took the first tram. We met Carl (one of Lance's friends and hiking buddies who also knows Doug), Doug, and Mark in the tram. We were all happily reconnecting when the tram operator sushed us so the newcomers could hear the tape.
The main trail was well-packed to the Sid Davis drainage -- no snowshoes required. Doug and Carl took the drainage; Karin and I stayed on the main trail to Round Valley. We donned snowshoes at the log and headed to Tamarack. The outhouses were buried about half-way -- so there was significant new snow since last weekend. We broke our own trail and came out on the left side of the bottom of the saddle between Miller and San Jacinto.
We could see tracks and other hiking going up towards the saddle. I made the mistake of taking my ususal direct uphill approach (Karin calls it a "butt track") that I use when wearing crampons. "Mistake" is putting it mildly -- thanks to the new snow, we were constantly sliding back downhill. There's nothing quite like climbing a mountain twice
The air temperature wasn't bad but the wind had a glacial bite. We finally reached the ridge, headed for the summit, touched the sign and scampered back downhill to the hut to eat lunch out of the wind.
Just as we were finishing Mark and his friend EManBevHills (with skis) showed up at the doorway. We took their advice and headed down the way that Doug, Carl, and others had come up. On the descent we ran into Brad (who still wanted more exercise after running a half-marathon that morning) slightly below the saddle. There is nothing quite like going downhill in snowshoes in fresh powder -- it was fabulously fun and rewarding after the drudgery of the climb.
We came back on the Sid Davis route and removed our snowshoes when we reached the main trail. The rangers were shoveling snow of the roof in anticipation of the new storm coming in. We ran into Carl and Doug at the bar and celebrated with wonderful Sam Adams winter ale. Mark and friend arrived, then Brad. Karin, Mark, EManBevHills and I headed down and had a nice chat on the way. I went for my usual post-hike Mexican food fix and Las Consuelas before dirivng home. Based on the snow level at the summit, it won't be long before the snow completely covers the rocks.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
