South Ridge Trail 9/29

[Sally]

Last Wednesday I chose the South Ridge Trail for my weekly hike. As it often happens, the adventure began with the trip to the trailhead. After my 8 mile dirt road drive to the Fuller Ridge trailhead last week and the dirt road to Seven Pines the week before, I thought the one mile dirt road to the So. Ridge trail would be a snap. It turns out that less than halfway up the road it became obvious that my little car wasn't going to make it, so I backed down the road to a turnout and parked. Then I began my 1/2 mile hike to the trailhead. Leading up the road were the biggest mountain lion tracks I've ever seen (note to self: get back to car before dusk!)

After getting on the actual trail it didn't take long for some great scenery to come into view. It started to drizzle a bit, but I didn't need to put on my raincoat. I reached the Tahquitz Peak Lookout tower after 4 miles and was wondering if making it to San Jacinto Peak was in the cards. I set a turn around time and started hiking, giving it my all. I made it to San J Peak with 1/2 hour to spare. While eating lunch at the top some cumulus clouds began to gather, and there was thunder in the distance. Time to get moving!

As I was hiking back to Tahquitz Peak the weather got a little wet and the thunder was increasing. Miraculously, after I reached the tower and started descending the So. Ridge trail the thunder stopped, the clouds began to break and a great sunset was in the making. I slowed down because I wanted to see the sunset from up on the trail. Hopefully the mountain lion wasn't waiting for me at the bottom!

This hike was one of the best 23 miles I've ever done in the San Jacintos! You all should try it someday.

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

[Sally]

I forgot to mention a few things in my TR:

It was so clear that I could see the Palomar observatory glimmering on the adjacent mountain range.

I almost stepped on a coiled up baby rattlesnake (I think) about halfway down the South Ridge trail. I got a picture of him.

This was my 5th time up San J in 5 weeks. I have done all the trails to the peak this year with the exception of the PCT from the highway, and the C2C which I am doing next Saturday. I also did the tram to the peak on snowshoes last winter. I might need a new pair of hiking shoes soon!

[Hikin_Jim]

Way to put on the miles, Sally!

What a great trip, South Ridge to SJ and back. DANG! That's a lot of hiking. Good luck for your upcoming C2C.

HJ

[lipbiter]

hi sally,

please check your inbox, i sent a pm.

happy hiking,
lip

[Andy]

Glad you had a great hike Sally. Sounds like the weather was playing nice and a mid week hike on the South Ridge trail is usually a pretty good bet on solitude. Thanks for the pics and TR.

[Florian]

Wow Sally, that's a long hike! And my twitter friend @rattlesnakeguy identifies the snake as a young southern pacific rattlesnake, Crotalus helleri.

°Florian

[DUG]

Great job Sally! My son and I are doing all six trailheads out of Idywild this year -

South Ridge, Devils Slide, Marion Mountain, Deer Springs, Fuller Ridge and Seven Pines. We still need Seven Pines to finish up.

Doug

[Ulysses]

Love the snake picture.

[Sally]

Thank you, all, for your comments.

Doug, you can take a little credit for my having done all six trailheads because you kind of put the idea in my head. You had better get out there and do Seven Pines soon, though.

Florian, thanks for the snake ID.

Ulysses, I wasn't sure that the snake was a rattler until I saw the enlarged picture of him. He was such a little guy that I couldn't see the rattles from the "safe" distance I was standing.

Andy, I only saw 4 hikers all day. Solitude is nice, but also a little lonely.

lipbiter, thanks for your wise words, and I'd be honored to have you as a hiking buddy.

Hikin Jim, Dang, you're right! Thank you!

[zippetydude]

Some serious mileage there Sally! Glad you didn't have too close of an encounter with the rattler...I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but I hate snakes. Anyway, 23 miles is amazing. Have you done 20+ miles before?

z