San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek March 21

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Lance, Karin and I left the parking lot at 6:00 AM. There wasn't much snow until we reached Vivian creek. We donned Microspikes after crossing the tree. The going was good but slower than in summer due to the snow. Went cross-country up the ridge after Halfway camp. Once at High Creek we headed up the drainage and followed tracks that eventually placed us at about 10,500 on the main trail.

From that point we trudged up the ridge towards the intersection of the Sky High trail and Vivian. This section was an absolute grind. The saving grace was the amazing views of snow capped peaks looking back towards San Jacinto from the sign. The wind was howling on the final trek to the summit. We hunkered down in the rocks to get out of the wind. As we prepared to depart the summit, Lance checked his temperature guage (which takes into account windchill) -- it was a frigid minus 14 degrees F. As Karin says, "Brrr."

On the way down, we encountered two guys who'd camped at High Creek and another fellow who'd come up from Dry Lake in boots -- no crampons, micropikes, or snowshoes. Just when I thought I couldn't be further surprised, a group of guys mostly wearing shorts pass us going uphill and they were day hikers. Perhaps they were doing the hiking equivalent of the Polar Bear swimmers.

The descent seemed to take forever. We were ectastic to reach that final nosebleed descent to Mill creek. Arrived at my car at 5 PM (11 hours). This was without a doubt my hardest San Gorgonio summit in the snow. Had a great dinner at El Mexicano (it was hard to get out of the car and up the steps). I'm ready to return to the desert.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[zippetydude]

Hey! I must have just missed you! I started just before 7:00 on Saturday, went up a little above Halfway Camp (up the ravine as well, just like you) and then had to turn around due to time constraints just as I rejoined the main trail. I could hear some people up above me, but couldn't see anyone, but I bet that was you. Sorry to have missed you.

I saw the guys in shorts as well. When I passed them, it was beautiful, relatively warm and zero wind. I had no idea until I saw your post that the top was windy and cold. Bet that surprised them as well.

I'm glad you all made it safely. How was the traverse across that slope just above tree line where the trail gets steep and there is a big open slope? That part creeps me out a bit when there's ice.

I'm looking forward to clear trails as well, but having seen that guy in Loma Linda with the big rattler bite this past week makes me a little wary no matter where I go right now.

z

[Ellen]

Howdy Z,

Sorry we missed you -- it would have been great "hooking up" with you on the trail Based on your faster speed, that probably was us that you heard on our way up the ridge to High Creek.

I donned crampons at High Creek -- Lance and Karin kept their microspikes. Once we came out onto the main trail, we pretty much stayed on top of the ridge (as had others before us), thereby avoiding the scary icy section. We actually wound up on the Sky High trail near the sign. I put on microspikes for the final section.

Coming back down, Lance took us over to the west side of the ridge which was dirt pretty much all the way down back to tree line where we intersected the snowy main trail again. I've never been on this trace trail but Lance knew about it. It was a day of contrasts temperature wise -- very cold on top and warm from Halfway camp on down.

I find that after I hike in the desert, I want to hit the snow again and visa versa. Lance works at Loma Linda Medical Center and gives me constant rattlesnake updates. I hate buzz tails -- they scare me witless.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen