Up Deer Springs, Down Devil's Slide

[Sally]

Ellen and I had lots of catching up to do since her return from the JMT, and I needed to whip myself into shape for the High Sierra Trail in a week and a half. (Ellen didn't need whipping into shape because she's already been whipped!) So we decided a hike was in order and chose to go up the Deer Springs Trail to San Jacinto Peak, and down Wellman's and Devil's Slide Trail. This would give us an elevation gain of about 5200' and about 17 1/2 miles to complete the trip.

After leaving a car at Humber Park we drove to the Deer Springs Trailhead and started hiking a bit before 7:00. I was surprised that I could keep up with Ellen as I had kind of slacked off hiking while she was away. The trail was pleasant except for the signs of a lot of horse traffic, which chopped up the trail a bit and contributed to the bug situation. Farther up, the streams and springs were flowing well in the usual places. There was also good flow in LRV.

Right before we got to LRV my legs began to turn to Jello. It was nice to reach the relatively flat area before the "Never-ending Switchbacks." When we got to the switchbacks, Ellen went full speed ahead while I took it slow and steady. She got to the junction about 5 minutes before me.

We headed up to the rocks and were on top of the Peak at about 11:20. Initially we were by ourselves. We chose a sheltered area in which to eat our lunch, as it was windy and chilly. Then a fellow popped up and joined us. It turns out that he did a chunk of the JMT before Ellen's trip, so we chatted about the JMT for a while. Meanwhile, 2 more hikers showed up, and we headed down. On the way to Wellman's Junction we ran into the first of the tram hikers which included a bunch of very young kids.

We didn't see any folks after that except for a trail crew above Saddle Junction and a few groups below the junction. Ellen's boots were causing her feet a lot of grief, and we were happy to make it back to the car at about 3:20. A word of warning: DON'T use the outhouse at Humber Park -it's got an unusually bad stench, and I mean BAD.

We had a geat meal at the Mexican place across from the ranger station. Thank's for a wonderful day, Ellen! Have a real happy birthday tomorrow!

[Ellen]

Howdy Sally

Thanks for a great day and for putting up with me grumbling on the way down Devil's Slide when my foot went to the bad place.

Note to readers: I hiked the JMT in Vasque Breeze's and decided to try my Merrell Phaser Peak's again -- couldn't remember why I hadn't worn them in a while. Now I remember. Going back to the Vasque's for the High Sierra trail.

Sally's always wonderful company followed by beer and Mexican food were the perfect treatment -- foot is fine today. Think I burned off enough calories yesterday to enjoy the birthday celebration today.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen