Mt. San Jacinto Outdoor Recreation

Howdy All

Trying to get more creative with my post titles

Yeti (Jeff Scofield), Kat (Jim Porter) and this Polar Bear did the San Gorgonio 9 peaks yesterday. We started hiking up Vivian at 2 AM after leaving a car at Angelus Oaks. Thanks so much to the San Gorgonio Yeti and CalicoKat for starting at O darkhundred so the Polar Bear could avoid the heat on the climb to San Gorogonio. Our first water stop was at High Creek.

We headed back down the ridge after an early breakfast on Grayback, then summited Jepson and Baby Jepson (the unamed peak to the west of Jepson). Then we dropped down the sandy slope and climbed up Little Charlton. Another descent and climb to Charlton. Dropped over the south side of Charlton to gain the trail to Dollar Saddle. We could see clouds building up over San Gorgonio as we headed west.

It was nice to be back on the ridge trail. I love the views to the north where the trail is cut into the side of the rock. It was really starting to warm up, so we headed down to High Meadow Springs for water and took a nice break before continuing on. Beautiful area and gorgeous views -- my first time in that area. Got fooled by the false peaks before Alto Diablo -- I won't forget this on my next 9 peak trip. Before long we were climbing up the rock pile aka Shields peak. This summit looks different from any other in the San Gorgonios -- does anyone know the geology?

My feet started to complain on the descent from Shields We enjoyed the softness of the trail to the base of Anderson, then made our way up to the summit. By this time, everything was starting to hurt, so I downed some vitamin A (Alleve). Back down to the trail and over to East San Bernardino peak. I suddenly realized I haven't been there since doing the 9 peaks in September of 2009 Then, finally, we were on our way to West San Berardino peak. At this point, I'd had enough of the ups and downs on the ridge -- my quads would cramp everytime we headed up after a drop.

Made the final push to the last summit and holy cow it looked like the summit of San Jacinto. By this I'm refering to the volume of hikers. A final fuel and rest break, then the never ending descent. We stopped at Limber Pine Springs for a water break and bandana dip -- I wanted to stay there forever. Unfortunately, Yeti and Polar Bear left her car at the Oaks restaurant to save some time in the wee hours of the morning. We questioned this decision all the way down the dirt road Jim noted that he wanted our mileage to exceed a marathon -- he got his wish (26.6 miles) and over 8 K of climbing.

The air conditioning in the car felt heavenly on the way back to the Vivian creek parking area. Yeti and CalicoKat headed home and I had a great dinner at El Mexicano before doing the same.

Thanks again guys for a great day

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Wow Ellen.... 26.6 miles and over 8 K of climbing!! Probably needed a double dose of that vitamin A. Great title too... "A Yeti, CalicoKat and Polar Bear".

Thanks Larry

Nice TR, Ellen. So I guess the 9 peaks are: San Gorgonio, Jepson, Baby Jepson, Little Charleton, Charleton, Alta Diablo, Shields, Anderson, East San Bernardino, and West San Bernardino. Wait a minute - that's 10 peaks. Which one is NOT one of the 9 Peaks?

Good work, you guys!

Howdy Sister Sally

Baby Jepson is not considered one of the 9 peaks

Hugs,
Ellen

We are going to make "Baby Jepson" an official peak though, it already has a register and a 4x4 on top, what else does it need???

Nice work, Ellen, Yeti and Calico - you were long gone by the time Blooty, Asbufra and lilbitmo hit the first of your nine summits, but we did get 700 feet of snow climb in and almost as much glissading on our way up and back, what time did you get back to the cars, think I saw them parked in front of the store? in Angelus Oaks

Howdy Lilbitmo

Got back to my car (in front of the Oaks) at 6 PM. Feet still feel like they walked on sand paper Going to take Calicokat's suggestion and use Glide as a preventive measure.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen