Hiking from Baldy to San G

[lilbitmo]

Norris Wrote

Now you've got me thinking about an Idyllwild to Big Bear trip along the PCT, with peak bagging at both ends. I would like to see what the trail is like as it descends the north side of Jacinto and climbs the east side of San Gorgonio. Does the PCT intersect with the Sky High trail?

The PCT runs along the shoulder of Mt Newton Drury west of the summit of Mt San Jacinto running along a ridge called Fuler Ridge, it takes long sweeping switchbacks down the northwest face of San Jacinto and eventually ends up in Snow Creek - It does not take the steep descent mentioned in all the other "Snow Creek Trip Reports" mentioned in other "Threads on this Board". It then cuts across the desert floor and goes under the 10 Freeway at that spot where highway 111, the railroad tracks and the 10 freeway all converge (there's a extra large culvert there with abandon cars and other junk, cannot miss it). It comes out on the northside just west of the small hills that (that are on the east) channel the Whitewater River Drainage and channel all those "Wind Generator's" on the north side of the 10 freeway. It meanders up hill thru these small "Foothills" heading east and north collectively. From there in stays on the slopes of these hills until you are about a mile past the "Whitewater" trout farm then crosses the river and continues up canyon for about 5 miles then climbs into the hills and stays "East" of San Gorgonio Mountain all the time until you've gone past that approach in the Mission Creek Trail Camp/Coon Creek/Fish Creek areas of the San Bernadino wilderness. You can cut across the southeast side of San Gorgonio (Hiking Jim posted this canyon approach last summer I beleave).

As far as the PCT intersecting the Sky High Trial no, that is on the far east side of the wilderness, the PCT turns westward at Strawberry Junction (above Humber Park in Idyllwild) then follows the ridges on the west side of the wilderness until it drops down into the desert over there. You could go up Sky High trial from the desert floor in Palm Springs go through Long Valley, Wellmans Divide, summit San Jacinto, continue around to the west side of San J and then head north on the PCT if you wanted to incorporate that trail into the bagging of both Summits.

Good luck and enjoy.

[asabat]

As far as the PCT intersecting the Sky High Trial no, ... You could go up Sky High trial from the desert floor in Palm Springs go ...

I think you've confused Sky High with Skyline. The Sky High Trail is the trail to San Gorgonio's peak from Mineshaft Saddle.

[Norris]

Yes, that's correct, I was not referring to Skyline. Still, the description of the PCT as it traverses Jacinto is useful, thanks. Can someone enlighten us about the vicinity of the PCT to various trails on San G?

[lilbitmo]

Sorry about my confusion on Sky High Trial versus Sky Line Trail, long day.
Here's five maps from the PCT

Starting from North to South (read each header) is the section just North and East of the Summit of San Gorgonio. If you look at the lower lefthand corner of this map you will see Fish Creek Meadows - which is the start of Fish Creek Trail that will lead to Mine Shaft Saddle and on up to the Summit of San Gorgonio (one approach and it does include Sky High Trial).



Heading South on the PCT away from Mission Creek and Fish Creek toward Whitewater River




Whitewater Trout Farm area down to Interstate 10 Freeway



From Interstate 10 Freeway to Fuller Ridge



Fuller Ridge to Apache Spring



The closest you are going to get to the Summit of San Gorgonio on the PCT is less than 9 miles but the easiest way would be from Fish Creek Trail head. If you wanted trail miles between Peak to Peak it's about 65 not including the miles to come off one or both peaks back to you car.

Good Luck

[Norris]

Thanks, those are great maps. Since I'm not trying to do the PCT per se, I don't feel the need to trace each part of that trail. So I'm thinking Humber park to the summit of San J, then descend to little round valley, then PCT over to the Fish Creek area, then summit San G and descend via Dry Lake / Poopout hill to the parking area there. Not sure how much fun or how attractive the section is after you cross under 10. Looks dry/uninviting.

[zippetydude]

lilbitmo: That's excellent. Thanks for the maps - you're way ahead of me on this technology stuff.

Norris: The section north of the I-10 is dry, but it's amazing in its own way. If you went from Whitewater instead of Cottonwood, you'd see very similar terrain and cut off about 6.5 miles, but the area is nice. You go from desert to the beginnings of high chapparal and oak forest to 10 miles I haven't done and then into beautiful pine forest. About 7 miles past Whitewater, the trail drops into a canyon with the creek, and it's really very nice.

If you end up doing it, post the date and I'll see if I can pop by and see you. I've been wanting to do a Whitewater to San G trail run for a couple of years, and might be able to do it the same weekend.

z

[Norris]

zip, thanks for the info. I should not rule out an area because it loooks brown in the satellite view. But I'm wondering if I should reverse this route, ending in Idyllwild where there are good restaurants, motels, and showers! Another consideration is that going that way, I/we could see more of the north face of Jacinto climbing up to the right of it. I'm thinking about doing this within the next month. How many days do you think?

[lilbitmo]

Norris, I would find a way to have someone meet me at White Water Trout farm and cut out the "Desert Floor" - you could have them pick you up there and deliver you to the Snow Creek Section of the PCT that about 12 hiking miles. You could do San Gorgonio in two days and take three to do San Jacinto, two to get to the summit from Snow Creek and one to get out to Humber Park, it's 8.3 miles from the Summit of San J to Humber Park in Idyllwild.

If you stay on the PCT coming out of Snow Creek you are legal to pass unlike all that other non-sense going up the face of San J's north face - there's even a water spigot that the "Water Company" has at 1 mile into the hike going South bond because so many hikers come off the mountain heading north that they are out of water by the time they reach the desert floor - trust me, I've used it - it's a life saver.

Enjoy

[Norris]

Thanks lilbitmo, good info and good suggestions. But gettting someone to drop me off on one side of San G and then pick me up a couple of days later on the other may be a tough sell, especially if I will then need a pick-up in Idyllwild 3 days after that

[zippetydude]

Time frame may be a consideration. I like your idea of reversing the direction, but right now there's snow on both trails, and that could really complicate things. Late May could allow the whole trail to be reasonably clear. Are you willing to carry crampons, etc. and deal with snow and ice on both peaks? I did San J from Snow Creek up and over on the PCT, and it was plenty of challenge without any snow.

This is really turning out to be an interesting thread.

lilbitmo, you seem to know the area well. Do you think you'll be out there any time soon? Maybe all of us run into each other on the trail?

z