Team Loco Lobo (Karin, Yoli, Kathryn, Mark and I) headed up Fuller Ridge last Sunday. For me, the worst part of the hike was the drive up the dirt road. My intestines were very unhappy and unleased gas that would make a good lethal weapon -- my poor companions
We noticed other vehicles when we hit the trail head, which is unusual.
The beginning of the trail is provides a welcome respite after the bone-jarring drive. I love being suspended above both the desert and the San Jacinito wilderness. We ran into several CCC crews working on the trail. The first group was at the best creek crossing and the second was a bit further up. They were laying down ground rocks, over which they would then dump about two feet of dirt. There was lots of fast-flowing water in the creeks.
We headed left at the Fuller Ridge/Deer Springs trail intersection and started the grinding climb up through the brushy section. The air got a little blue as our legs connected with the overgrown buckthorn. Finally ended up back in the pine trees for a brief respite before the final slog up through the steep (and sometimes soggy) section. Heard a "Hello!" as we crossed a stream and behold -- there was our friend Norris -- whom I haven't seen since our winter snowshoe trips. Chatted briefy and then continued on before losing too much steam.
Crossed the stream into Little Round Valley -- happily it still has ample water. Mark and I made the final push together up the never-ending switchbacks. We took a brief Smarties break on a log by the trail sign (hmm... if they really make one smart why am I still doing this?) I introduced Mark to Jack's route up through the rocks -- I actually prefer this to the eastern approach. Team Loco Lobo reconnected at the summit and enjoyed lunch.
On the way down, we stopped for water at the quick-silver stream on Fuller Ridge. Karin and I went off trail and dropped down to a nice pool of water. If we hadn't had time constraints, we would have gone swimming. Made our way back along the traverse and suffered through the nasty climb back up to Castle Rocks (this reminds of climbing back up to Trail Crest on Whitney -- not fair!) I yelled "woo hoo" at the end of the climb and took a brief break on a rock. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the rock was covered with pine sap. Neither did Mark, who also sat on the rock. We looked up to see fresh sap dripping off the tree, onto a pinecone, and onto everything underneath. I have now dubbed that spot "Sucker Point."
Made it back to Karin's truck without further incident. A wonderful day with great friends.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
