Sally and I went on a exploratory hike up South Fork in the hopes of summiting Charleton peak on Wednesday. Calicokat Jim provided a suggested XC route -- we didn't want to snowshoe or microspike all the way up the trail past Dollar Lake if we could find a better option.
We put on microspikes very quickly due to the icy trail. Once we reached the junction sign for Dollar Saddle/Dry Lake, we crossed the streams and headed up the trail. I saw footsteps heading in the direction we wanted to go and we followed them. Our plan was to stay to the right side of Christmas tree hill. Before long, we were post holing, so we donned snowshoes and headed up.
This route popped us out at about 9.6 K to the far right of the morraine field. We got on a ridge that looked like it would take us up to the San Gorgonio backbone (based on the map and Sally's GPS) and switched to crampons. After traversing up the side of the ridge, we opted for a nice snow filled gully and stayed just to the left side of the gully to avoid post holing. The snow became thinner and icier as we approached what we hoped was the San G backbone. We popped up on a little saddle between Little Charelton and Charleton. Yes!
Swapped crampons for microspikes to negotitate our way around rocks, trees, etc. and made our way to the summit. Occasionally dropped in up to the crotch in snow. Finally reached the blessed register box and made ourselves comfortable for lunch by putting on down jackets and beanies. We finished lunch right about the time the wind was getting too chilly -- good timing. Made our way back down to the saddle and put the crampons back on. Headed down the gully until we started post holing, then put on the snowshoes.
We followed our tracks all the way back. As we started heading down by Christmas tree hill, I saw triangluar wooden orange signs posted high up on some of the trees. Uh oh -- doesn't that mean avalanche danger? Fortunately, the risk was likely low due the paucity of snow and consolidation. We reached the top of Southfork meadows and took off the snowshoes to manuver around brush, rocks, etc. Unfortunately, this also meant that we post holed deeply several times. As Sally noted, the trip had been perfect -- had to have some complications somewhere. I'd left my gaiters in Calicokat's truck after doing Baldy with him on Tuesday, so I had wet feet for the remainder of the hike.
Finished a great day with a superb cheeseburger at the Oaks.
Final comments -- the north chutes of San Gorgonio and the Big Draw looked awful -- lots of exposed dirt and rocks at the top
At least we had adequate snow coverage for our route.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
Good job Ellen and Sally!! Nice mid-week hike! Hard to believe the north slopes of San G and Jepson are so bare. 
