Mt. San Jacinto Outdoor Recreation

Started out solo from the South Fork trail head at 5:15am and hit Poop Out hill just after sunrise. Snow started at the trail head and was well packed down until South Fork Meadows. I made my way up the drainage to Dry Lake then up the draw to the north face chutes.

As I neared the middle east chute zippetydude, bluerail and Fernando caught up with me and continued up ahead. They are fast! Within minutes the were several hundred feet above me.

We transversed to the ridge at about 10,600' and continued up. Conditions on the ridge sucked. The larger rocks and trees were surrounded with powdery drifts and other areas were icy wind packed snow. It probably would have been better to stay in the chute.

Got to the summit about 11:30 and relaxed for a few minutes.
The wind was clam and temperatures were very mild on the summit.

We descended the NW ridge and followed the drainage back to Dry Lake.

The snow had softened somewhat with the warm temps and I postholed several times on the hike out, but other than that snow conditions were good. I found fresh tracks of what I think is a small bear near South Fork Meadows. Anyone know?


Got back to the trail head about 4pm then drove 2 hours to a birthday party....long day!
More Pictures Here: San Gorgonio 12-19-09

Thanks for the report - I might give San G a try next weekend, so your report helps.

I had no idea you were someone from the board when we saw you yesterday, nice to run into you out there, we all should have to wear something like dayglo gaiters or a hot pink beanie so we can recognize each other. Hope to run into you again.

I had no idea either until Fernando and I started chatting towards the top. I pieced it all together when he was telling me about your 12-12 adventure on Sky Line.