Sunday Tramshoe

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Took the first tram up with Lance. It was very windy -- fortunately the ambient temperature was not too cold. Followed the well-beaten snowshoe track through the drainage to the base of Miller Saddle, then traversed over the saddle near near Jean peak. After summiting Jean, we came back along the ridge to San Jacinto. Due to the recent warm weather, the trees no longer have rhime ice Couldn't stay long on the summit of San J due to the howling wind.

Had a quick lunch with Lance and Jack in my winter home before heading down. As we descended down the ridge towards Miller saddle, we were treated to amazing cloud formations over the Chocolate Mountains. Almost looked like tornados were going to touch down. The clouds became more onimous (saw several venticular clouds) as we lost elevation. Hoping this system brought in new snow.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Jackalopes]

Hey Ellen,
Five of us are taking the mid day tram up on Friday and spending the night at Tamarack Valley that night and going up to San Jacinto on Saturday and then riding an afternoon tram down that afternoon. 3 of the 5 of us have crampons. Any idea if it will be icy going towards the summit on Saturday?
Thanks,
Ron

[Ellen]

Howdy Ron

My buddy Lance wore microspikes almost the whole time. He switched to snowshoes on the ridge when he started dropping up to his knees. It was not very icy.

I'm headed up again this Wednesday -- I'll post when I get back.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Sally]

Hi Ellen,
What a nice weekend you had with Baldy, Jean, and San J Peaks! I'm sure missing hiking with you, my friend. As soon as I am able, we will be out there hiking together again. Please give the snow a blessing to keep it nice until I can get up there (maybe it got a little dusting today.)

your buddy and sister,
Sally

[Ellen]

Howdy Sister Sally

San Jacinto and I miss you

Hugs,
Ellen

[Jackalopes]

So it sounds like post holing is more of an issue than the ice. I have not been up there for a winter snow hike for many years. Our overnight permit is for Tamarack Valley. I have a map and have done the trail in summer, but will there be an easy to follow trail of footsteps to follow from Round Valley to the summit of San Jacinto?
Thanks,
Ron & friends

[guest]

Hi Jackalopes,

ellen can better answer, since she's been there more than anyone (combined!), this past month of two.
The winter "trail" heads up a drainage, (called Sid Davis), just before summer trail crosses creek, approx. 1/2 mile from Ranger Sta.
It heads up (usually the right, north side of this drainage), although at times just to the left instead.
It makes a beeline to east Tamarack Valley, and tops out close to the most easterly campsite, called Quartz.
From there, just head NW through Tam Valley, you'll see a couple fiberglass outhouses on the left, and finally come to the old wooden one.

Have a good time up there.

ss

[Ellen]

Howdy Ron,
Indie Jack and I used microspikes to the base of the Miller Saddle, swtiched to snowshoes from that point on (went up Jean, then over to San Jacinto, then over to Miller and down). The last system put rhime ice on the trees on the north side of the ridge and mountain but this was falling off continually. Tried to glissade down the Miller Saddle, too slushy and we froze our nether regions. Tried to walk down and post holed, put snowhoes back on. Ran into a fellow on San J with crampons, he got back to the tram OK but must have post holed a lot. Substantial snow melt since Sun

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[tinaballina]

Nice PR Ellen....good luck this weekend.