Met CalicoKat Jim and Norma in Idyllwild on Mon June 20 and arranged the car shuttle. We headed up Deer Springs -- my first time on the bottom part of this trail. I warned Jim and Norma about Bug Hades and they came armed with DEET. When we reached the Strawberry junction to take a short fuel break, we were enveloped in clouds of gnats. Jim applied DEET while walking in circles and Norma and I did the same while spinning, swinging and screaming
The streams on Deer Springs are just heavenly right now. For our next fuel break at the stream crossing before Little Round Valley, I wore a wet bandana over my face to ward off the gnats. Proceeded up the Never Ending Switchbacks
up to the junction and took a quick breather before scrambling up the rocks. We had the summit to ourselves and enjoyed a leisurely lunch. It was beautiful on top -- slight breeze and no bugs 
Headed down and bagged Miller before proceeding to Wellman's divide and cienega.
When we reached the Strawberry junction, we spied two empty water bottles beneath the wilderness boundary sign
Packed them out, as well as an orange peel. By the time we reached Saddle Junction, both Norma and I had barking dogs. Although I love Devil's Slide, sometime it seems to take forever to get down (reminds me of the descent down the switchbacks from Lone Pine lake to Whitney Portal). Finally, we arrived at Jim's truck. I enjoyed a great meal at the Mexican restaurant across from the ranger station before heading home. Another wonderful day in the wilderness with friends.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
Personally, I wouldn't even bother to filter or treat -- the streams are flowing that well -- even the stream at the entrance to LRV.
as we descended the south slope of San J on the summer trail i was in awe of the beautiful alpine green view of conifers, chinauqpin and manzanita. it was only then i realized i have only done snow hikes of San J and had never seen this slope in anything other that a white coat. i didn't even know that there was a summer trail since we always make the direct shot up the slope to Miller saddle.
