condition report, May 29

[bcrowell]

There is patchy snow above about 9000', but much less than a couple of weeks ago. The snow is very firm, no postholing. I wore boots, but with hindsight I would have been fine with mesh running shoes -- there were only a few places where it was convenient to be able to kick steps in snow. Traction was fine as long as I avoided shady areas.

I went up the trail from Tamarack Valley to San J, back down via Wellman's Divide. The Wellman's Divide trail is very easy to follow, with lots of red ribbons and obvious boot tracks across the patches of snow. The Tamarack Valley trail is more difficult to find. Jean Peak still appears to have 100% snow cover.

[MP]

Headed up on June 1st wearing only trail running shoes and made without getting the socks wet. It was our first time on San Jacinto and following the trail was a little difficult but not to bad if follow the footsteps, red ribbons, and stacks of rocks left by your fellow hikers!

[lesper4]

If San J at 10k is like that then maybe the ridge at San Bernardino Peak to San G is the same?

[Hikin_Jim]

If San J at 10k is like that then maybe the ridge at San Bernardino Peak to San G is the same?

Hmm. Maybe not.

The approach to San J from the tram side is mostly east facing. A lot of spots on the trail between SB Peak and San G are north facing. North facing slopes tend to hold snow for a lot longer.

HJ

[lesper4]

YEAH I AM CONTEMPLATING BUYING SOMES KATHOOLA SPIKES

[djp1041]

Went up SJ for first time as novice hiker Saturday and made the summit. Trails were clearly marked with a few spots that needed thought. The last 100' to the peak we climbed snow but it is disappearing quickly. Moderately strenous for a novice but worth every ache and stop along the way. Views are breathtaking. My only complaint is that some "expert" hikers do not remember that there was a time when they ascended for the first time. Take from that what you will.

[KathyW]

Went up SJ for first time as novice hiker Saturday and made the summit. Trails were clearly marked with a few spots that needed thought. The last 100' to the peak we climbed snow but it is disappearing quickly. Moderately strenous for a novice but worth every ache and stop along the way. Views are breathtaking. My only complaint is that some "expert" hikers do not remember that there was a time when they ascended for the first time. Take from that what you will.

I like how you put "expert" in quotes. I don't think there is such a thing as an expert hiker. As far as I know hikers aren't ranked and never can reach the "professional" level. I do agree with you that a hard hike means different things to different people. We all have to take the words "hard" or "strenuous" with a grain of salt and remember they are very subjective terms. I remember my first hike to San Jacinto - it was up the Marion Mountain Trail. The "expert" hikers left me in the dust, but I huffed and puffed all the way to the top and felt pretty good to make it up there. I still get left in the dust and huff and puff all the way to the top - it's never gotten to the point where it's easy for me.