10,000' Ridge -- Spring Conditions Ascent

[Hikin_Jim]

Thursday, after work, I decided to take a little drive over to the SGW as a part of a planned ascent of Ten Thousand Foot Ridge.

Good thing I had reservations at the San Gorgonio "Hilton."


Just before dawn the following day.


First light of dawn on the high country.


South Fork of the Santa Ana River.


Dry Lake, first look.


Dry Lake.


Ascending the flanks of Lake Peak.


The view from the east ridge of Lake Peak. That's San Jacinto Peak.


My objective, the high point of Ten Thousand Foot Ridge.


Bighorn Mountain, left, and San Gorgonio Mountain, right, both over 11,000 feet (3350m) in elevation, the number three and number one, respectively, highest peaks in Southern California. Note glacial moraines.


Approaching the high point of Ten Thousand Foot Ridge.


On the summit of Ten Thousand Foot Ridge.


Descending.


Back at Dry Lake.


Whoever said that Southern California doesn't have any decent scenery needs to get out more often! (click to view high res)



Bidding the high country farewell.


All in all, a very fine day of real hiking, of getting off into the back country. The summit register recorded only one other visit besides my own since the previous fall. The high point of Ten Thousand Foot Ridge is remote country indeed. I saw not one person all day, and this in an area home to some 15,000,000 people.

HJ

[Lermo]

Pretty cool stuff Jim! Great pictures.

[Hikin_Jim]

Thanks! It was a super beautiful day. I took over 300 photos all told. I was especially pleased that a couple of the Dry Lake photos turned out well.

HJ

[tinaballina]

were there any ants?

[Hikin_Jim]

were there any ants?

Ants? Uh, no. Can't say I saw any ants anywhere on this one.

HJ

[Ellen]

Howdy HJ

Wonderful trip report as always

Hiked with Sally yesterday and we discussed how much we love your narration and pictures of your trips.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Ulysses]

Wow. Those pictures are great Jim. Have me thinking I need to get over and check that area out. What is the trailhead?

[Andy]

Cheers to a great looking trip Jim! Thanks for the report.

[Hikin_Jim]

Howdy HJ

Wonderful trip report as always

Hiked with Sally yesterday and we discussed how much we love your narration and pictures of your trips.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Thanks, Ellen,

It's really fun for me to put them together. There's a "director's cut" available as well.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

Wow. Those pictures are great Jim. Have me thinking I need to get over and check that area out. What is the trailhead?

Hey, bro.

There are several ways you could get to Ten Thousand Foot Ridge and Dry Lake. Most folks come in from South Fork. You could also come in from the Aspen Grove and Fish Creek trailheads once the road is open for the season.

HJ