A Long Day on San J 7/7/10

[Sally]

After reading Ellen's post on doing the Wellman's, Strawberry Cienega, San J loop last weekend,and having never been on the Strawberry Trail, I decided it was time for me to finally try it out. So yesterday AM I set out at 6:40 up the Devil's Slide. I had been hemmin' & hawwin' about whether I was going to go to San J peak, down Deer Springs, and up the Strawberry, and back down the PCT to the Slide (in a counterclockwise manner) or do it in reverse (in a clockwise manner).
When I got to the junction of the Strawberry Cienega Trail I decided to go,by way of Wellman's, straight to the peak first. Up at the peak I saw 3 hikers. Somene had erected a pole with an American flag up there.
I started back down and when I got to the junction to Little round valley I took a deep breath and headed down to the Deer Springs Trail, knowing that I was committing myself to hiking all the way down to Strawberry Junction and back up another 1000 ft elevation to rejoin the trail I had come up on.
It was well worth it . The Strawberry was beautiful with its view of the rocky faced mountain and wildflowers. Eventually I found myself back at the upper junction, and then headed back down the PCT to the Devil's Slide.
About a mile from the trailhead I ran into "kd" (from the board). We had a chat, then he continued on his jaunt up to Tahquitz Valley.
In all, I saw 5 humans, a deer, a family of quail (6 little ones and a parent) and a bunch of little critters. I also saw blooming azaleas, which I had never seen before.
I must have been around Saddle Junction when the earthquake hit, but I didn't feel it.
The whole hike was 19.7 miles and I figured about 5,200 feet gain.
I got back to my car at 6:15.

[Florian]

Nice long loop. I've only done this loop from the tram. Weird someone set up a flag at the peak.

-Florian

[kd]

The whole hike was 19.7 miles and I figured about 5,200 feet gain.

Excellent!


Sally,

Sure was nice seeing you on the trail, near the end of your journey.
You looked like you could have easily knocked off another 20 miles!

I was wondering if you felt the earthquake on the mountain. I was driving up, and never felt it.

Long summer days make the after work jaunts possible, see you on the trail.

---Kevin

[zippetydude]

Nice long loop. I've only done this loop from the tram. Weird someone set up a flag at the peak.

-Florian

Probably for the 4th. Maybe they'll set up a turkey on Thanksgiving.

z

[Florian]

Oh, i'd forgotten about the 4th of July holiday. That would explain the flag i suppose. Just got back from a short loop today with Wen from the tram to RV and back on the high trail. Nice quiet weekday trails. Almost thought clouds might produce some rain sprinkles but no such luck.

-Florian

[Ellen]

Howdy Sally

Awesome hike! I still have not done Deer Springs from Idyllwild to the junction with the other trails. I'd like to do a shuttle -- go up Deer Springs to the summit and come down Seven Pines -- assuming I can find the trail head for Seven Pines

Howdy KD,

Sally is an animal -- she'll be doing the San Gorgonio 9 Peaks before the end of the summer

Howdy St. Florian

I wore my American flag bandana when I hiked on Sat and Mon

Looks like we have a 20% chance of rain and lightning from tomorrow through most of next week. Could get muggy up there.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[kd]

Hi Ellen,

I will do the Deer Springs / shuttle hike on a weekend this summer with you.


And by the way, my American Flag bandana is my favorite choice of headgear.

I wore it the whole time on vacation in June. I was sailing in the British Virgin Islands for two weeks.

My friends could easily spot me in the water with the American flag bandana on when I was snorkling off the catamaran.
I never go left behind that way!

----Kevin

[Sally]

Hi Florian, Weekdays are sure nice and quiet. I could see those clouds over the mountain from Temecula and was wondering if it was raining up there.

Hi Kevin, It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday. I was still feeling pretty perky. I think that breaking up the uphills and downhills helped keep the energy level up. I was coming down hill at a pretty good clip when the quake hit - maybe the quake had something to do with the little stumble I had.

Hi Zip, I heard the Easter bunny was up there last Easter! Did you see him when you were up there?

And Hi Ellen. Count me in on that Deer Springs/7 Pines shuttle. My first hike up San J peak many years ago was by way of 7 Pines. If I keep hiking with YOU I WILL be doing San Gorgonio's 9 Peaks by the end of summer!

[Sally]

Here's the pics

http://picasaweb.google.com/sallymorley ... directlink

[Hikin_Jim]

Gadzooks those are beautiful photos!

HJ