Started about 6 AM to catch the sunrise:
First view of San Jacinto a bit below 4 K:
I looked east towards the Salton Sea -- I was stopped in my tracks in awe and heard the Hallelujah chorus:
Looking up from 4 K:
Looking at San Gorgonio from Doreen's Enchanted Garden:
Looking up from 5 K:
Looking at San Gorgonio from St. Florian's point, where I took a rest break:
Diana arrived just as I was packing up -- she'd coordinated her start time to catch up with me before Flat Rock. I was concerned that she would get too cold at my slower pace, but was very happy to have her company. We had great conversations on various topics of exercise physiology and sports nutrition. The temperature dropped significantly at the beginning of the traverse and parts of the trail were icy. I had carried microspikes for insurance but we were able to avoid the worst areas. At Coffman's I switched my gloves for down mittens and Diana also donned warmer gloves. I was still in shorts and t-shirt but had warm clothing in my pack.
Diana kindly purchased my celebratory beverages at the tram bar as well as the cab -- thanks friend
I get to treat next time. We actually got colder waiting for the taxi than when we were on the trail. The tram was so busy that they weren't letting cars up until people left 
Even the eastbound 111 was backed up due to the traffic on the tram road.A wonderful day, made even more special by great weather and company.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
Gorgeous pics of the clouds and sunlight bursting through, very apt for Christmas!