Mt. San Jacinto Outdoor Recreation

Howdy All

First of all, thanks to everyone (Mark, Tina, Sally, Celeste, Kathryn, Karin, Lance, Patrick) for starting early (~ 5 AM) due to the heat. I was having a really bad day, which is when it's great to be hiking with supportive friends. It was very humid at the beginning -- I don't even want to think about going up that steep section in the heat of the day. The wildflowers in the forest area were splendid. We started to get a cooling breeze above Halfway Camp. The sun just broke over the ridge as we climbed to 10 K out of High Creek. The breeze continued all the way to the summit It was really nice up there.

Started descending a bit after 10 AM. It was warming up quickly on the traverse. We hit all the main creek crossings on the descent to cool off. The worst part of the day was the mosquitos and biting flies -- apparently the bloody blond hiker was the main attraction on the menu Doused myself liberally with 100% DEET at 8 K. I drank some fast flowing water from Vivian creek -- we'll see if Z-dude is right about the quality The second worst part of the day was (of course) the nose-bleed descent to Mill Creek. We finished off a great day with good food from El Mexicano in Forest Falls.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Ellen wrote: I drank some fast flowing water from Vivian creek -- we'll see if Z-dude is right about the quality

Well, is everything coming out okay?

Sorry you had something of a rough time of it, though you always seem to come through, regardless of obstacles! Hey, I'm going to be out doing some stuff in Yosemite and Whitney the next few weeks, but are you still up for the Snow Creek PCT this fall?

z

PS Incidentally, I didn't have any trouble with mosquitoes, but I did notice that odd swarms of flies inhabit the big hollow trunks along Vivian Creek and they buzz wildly when I go by. Weird.

zippetydude wrote:

Ellen wrote: I drank some fast flowing water from Vivian creek -- we'll see if Z-dude is right about the quality

Well, is everything coming out okay?

Hey, quit giving Ellen crap, wouldja?

zippetydude wrote:PS Incidentally, I didn't have any trouble with mosquitoes, but I did notice that odd swarms of flies inhabit the big hollow trunks along Vivian Creek and they buzz wildly when I go by. Weird.

I noticed the same thing at Buckhorn CG in the San Gabs on Sunday. Freakishly weird. What is up with that?

HJ

Hikin_Jim wrote: I noticed the same thing at Buckhorn CG in the San Gabs on Sunday. Freakishly weird. What is up with that?

HJ

Well, at least it wasn't me! Thanks for your post. I was wondering if I was finally going to have to wash my favorite shirt after all.

z

My daughter and I noticed the buzzing swarm, and she is deathly allergic to bee stings. We were relieved to see it was only flies. She does always carry an epi kit.

Ellen, I'm sorry we missed out on El Mexicano - it's fun to walk into a restaurant as a group all stinky and dirty!

Sally wrote: - it's fun to walk into a restaurant as a group all stinky and dirty!

I resembled that remark

next time you guys are in there, try the OJ...hand squeezed and slushy. unbelievably good.

Tis was a fun day.

Zip-saw and heard those flies as well.

It was a fun day and great to be back in proper action at last. I believe the key to getting up without too much pain was eating three of Tina's Rice Krispie goodies. Much more effective than gels or performance drinks...

Marknhj wrote:It was a fun day and great to be back in proper action at last. I believe the key to getting up without too much pain was eating three of Tina's Rice Krispie goodies. Much more effective than gels or performance drinks...

LOL, they were pretty good.