Grueling Greyback Lollipop
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 2:10 pmHowdy All 
Joined the San Jacinto hiking club to hike from Southfork to San Gorgonio yesterday morning. Thanks to our fearless leader Danny, we got an early start (6:15 AM). It was fun to see friends I haven't hiked with in a while (Krai, Derrick and Jenn) and to meet new folks.
As we started up the climb out of Southfork, I discovered that my legs were sourdough toast. It may have been the Baldy Reigster-Ski hut loop on Friday or just a bad day. Constantly stepped out of the way so that faster hikers could pass. We took a short break at Dollar Saddle before heading up the ridge to Greyback -- the more gradual elevation gain helped me recover somewhat.
Enjoyed a lively lunch on the peak and met up other friends who'd come up from Vivian. Passed around my flask with Craggamore single malt Scotch and swaped stories. This was the first San Gorgonio summit for some of our group. Sadly, we had to descend. I suggested going down the Sky High trail to take in new sights. About half the group descended via Dollar saddle.
Once we were committed to the loop, I felt I'd made a mistake. While it was nice to wind around San Gorgonio and see the tarn, the switchbacks down to Mineshaft saddle were endless. It also seemed like we were climbing almost as much as descending. The trail was also terribly eroded in some steep areas. Fortunately, Krai and Danny slowed down so that I could join them in talking about our shared love of classic movies.
I'd forgotten that the trail is a crap-fest of scree and talus, especially from Mineshaft Saddle to Dry Lake. I found myself stumbling constantly even with poles. Despite the brace, my injured left wrist was screaming. I longed for snow to take the winter route from Dry Lake to Southfork meadows. Finally reached Southfork meadows, where I stopped to get more water. It was a very toasty day and I'd gone through my 3 liters. As soon as I stopped, the biting flies and mosquitos moved in for the kill
Once we reached the wildnerness boundary sign, the descent seemed to pass more quickly. The group who'd come down via Dollar Lake had left about an hour earlier. I'd carpooled from the ranger station with Krai. Fortunately, he also wanted to eat, so we feasted at the Oaks restaurant before heading home.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
Joined the San Jacinto hiking club to hike from Southfork to San Gorgonio yesterday morning. Thanks to our fearless leader Danny, we got an early start (6:15 AM). It was fun to see friends I haven't hiked with in a while (Krai, Derrick and Jenn) and to meet new folks.
As we started up the climb out of Southfork, I discovered that my legs were sourdough toast. It may have been the Baldy Reigster-Ski hut loop on Friday or just a bad day. Constantly stepped out of the way so that faster hikers could pass. We took a short break at Dollar Saddle before heading up the ridge to Greyback -- the more gradual elevation gain helped me recover somewhat.
Enjoyed a lively lunch on the peak and met up other friends who'd come up from Vivian. Passed around my flask with Craggamore single malt Scotch and swaped stories. This was the first San Gorgonio summit for some of our group. Sadly, we had to descend. I suggested going down the Sky High trail to take in new sights. About half the group descended via Dollar saddle.
Once we were committed to the loop, I felt I'd made a mistake. While it was nice to wind around San Gorgonio and see the tarn, the switchbacks down to Mineshaft saddle were endless. It also seemed like we were climbing almost as much as descending. The trail was also terribly eroded in some steep areas. Fortunately, Krai and Danny slowed down so that I could join them in talking about our shared love of classic movies.
I'd forgotten that the trail is a crap-fest of scree and talus, especially from Mineshaft Saddle to Dry Lake. I found myself stumbling constantly even with poles. Despite the brace, my injured left wrist was screaming. I longed for snow to take the winter route from Dry Lake to Southfork meadows. Finally reached Southfork meadows, where I stopped to get more water. It was a very toasty day and I'd gone through my 3 liters. As soon as I stopped, the biting flies and mosquitos moved in for the kill
Once we reached the wildnerness boundary sign, the descent seemed to pass more quickly. The group who'd come down via Dollar Lake had left about an hour earlier. I'd carpooled from the ranger station with Krai. Fortunately, he also wanted to eat, so we feasted at the Oaks restaurant before heading home.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen