Mt. San Jacinto Outdoor Recreation

Howdy All

Yesterday, Sally, Marilyn and I headed back to the San Gorgonio range. Marilyn questioned my sanity when she drove through pounding rain from Lake Forest to pick me up in Riverside. By the time we met Sally at the Mill Creek RS, the rain had stopped. Drove up to the Southfork TH, geared up and got started about 7:45 AM. The trail had ice and mud in the usual spots. At the Wilderness boundary sign, we left the trail and headed up Duct Tape ridge (so named due to the amount of pink duct tape removed by fellow hikers). I've also heard it nicknamed Devil's ridge, since this route drops one out on the San Gorgonio backbone to the east of Alto Diablo.

We started hitting good snow coverage after about 30 minutes of climbing. We were sinking only about four to six inches and had to maneuver around rocks, brush, deadfall, etc. so the snowshoes stayed on our packs. It started to snow -- big, wet beautiful flakes. As we gained elevation, the snow beneath us became more powdery and we started sinking up to our knees. Donned snowshoes and continued to climb, blanketed in a soft, dry snowfall -- Girlrillas in the Mist. We traversed around a rocky peaklet before connecting with the San Gorgonio backbone.

Once we gained the San Gorgonio ridge, we headed west towards Alto Diablo. We were treated to beautiful rime ice and snow-flocked trees. At last, the distinctive shape of Alto Diablo loomed ahead. Once on top, we pulled out our sit-upons and enjoyed lunch. Eventually the cold temperature encouraged us to pack up and head down. Followed our snowshoe and boot tracks back to the main trail and enjoyed a leisurely walk back to the TH.

Thanks to my wonderful friends for another grand adventure.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

On the San Gorgonio backbone heading up Alto Diablo.



Sally on Alto Diablo



Rain dripping of willows.

All photos by Sister Sally, Team Artic Wolf photographer.

Thank you Ellen and Marilyn for sharing another magical day on the mountain with me! Thanks for the great TR, Ellen!

Here are more pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1009477359 ... directlink

Oh yeah, sorry if the video's sound is weird. Try clicking on the video first (the last frame when my Picassa album comes up) before playing the album as a slideshow.

Nice trip report Ellen and nice photos Sally!

Is the route you took labeled as 'Alto Diablo NE Ridge Route' on HJ's map? Do you have an estimate of what the RT mileage is?

http://caltopo.com/map?id=0P77

Yes, Chevy, the Alto Diablo NE Ridge Route is the rout we took. We started up the ridge AFTER the wilderness boundary sign and dealt with a lot of deadfall. On the way down we stayed more to the left and came out DOWN the trail from the boundary sign (as on the map) and it seemed to be clearer of deadfall obstacles. I had to laugh when I took a closer look at the map and it actually said "steep!" on the route. Sometimes when I'm going up something I am huffing and puffing and struggling, thinking what a sissy I am. Then, on the way down, it looks steeper than it looked going up, and I think that maybe I'm not such a sissy after all! This ridge is one of those kind of ridges.

Thanks Sally. I want to hike this weekend, so I may try to follow the trail you gals broke. If you don't mind me asking.... if I would count on Skyline taking me 6-7 hrs, how long would you allow for Alto Diablo taking this route?

Howdy Chevy

It took us much longer than usual (8 hours) due to route finding, constant adjustment of winter clothing and gear and breaking trail in powder. We were also enjoying the winter wonderland.

You'll have an easier time due to better weather and an established track.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Great trip and photos. Still a lot of snow there, not much left on Baldy. Thanks for posting!