by Vadosian » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:32 pm
Hello Newmountaineer,
First, give me a quick inventory of your outdoor equipment. This way I can give you my opinion of what to purchase as far as essential stuff.
In my opinion, Mt. San Jacinto in the winter can be a little technical, but mostly a snowfield type of accent, meaning kicking steps and plunging your ice axe or ski poles into the slope for additional support. We rarely need to rope up like on other peaks which have glaciation. The North Face of SJ is, in my opinion, a true mountaineering trip, but that's a different story.
The P.S Tram will usually allow you to carry whatever gear that you have in your possession. You only have to take it off when you enter the tram car. Be careful if you have an ice axe and make sure you have some rubber guards for the business ends of your axe! They usually pack the cars with the max amount of people just like a sardine can!
During the summer, the trails are clearly marked, but in winter, if you are one of the first visitors to crunch the snow, for instance, up to Round Valley, you had better know orienteering skills. But, usually a well tamped down trail exists all the way up there to Round Vly.
I hope you enjoy your trip up the mountain - have fun, be safe!
Jim