Meet Team Arctic Wolf (Indie Jack, Hengst Joe, Kathryn, Hiroko, John H, Reza and Ben) Saturday morning at 5:30 AM at the Southfork trailhead. We got a crazy early start hoping that we could go up San Gorgonio via one of the north chutes. The view from the Poop Out hill lookout showed that there is still dirt at the top of the chutes, so we opted to do Charleton. Thanks to my recent trips with Sally, Calicokat Jim and Janine, I finally have the route firmly established
We ran into icy snow on the trail on the way up to Southfork meadows -- some folks donned microspikes. Once we crossed the streams past the Dollar/Dry Lake junction, we went off trail, donned snow shoes and headed up the cross country skiing route to the right of Christmas tree hill. The condition of the snow was fabulous -- firm but not icy. The weather was perfect as well -- not too warm or cold.
Took our first break in the flatish area above the XC ski route, then we headed up the gully to the left side of the ridge. Some folks took the ridge up. Took another short break at the saddle between Charleton and Little Charleton but didn't dally long due to the wind. The western approach to Charleton seems to take forever, but we finally reached the summit, found shelter in the rocks and ate lunch.
We tried to glissade down the gully but the snow had softened up too much. Thanks to Reza for the good butt track so Hiroko and I could get in a few good slides. The snow had softened up nicely on the XC ski route on the way down, so the descent was nice and cushy. We removed our snowshoes at the main trail and donned microspikes. The icy snow had softened, so we were slipping and sliding around (ugh) until we reached the wilderness boundary sign. Below Horse Meadows the trail became a mud slog almost all the way to the trailhead. Enjoyed a wonderful cheeseburger at the Oaks before heading home to rest up for a Sunday tramshoe.
Thanks everybody for a great day
Some pictures:
http://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Coachella- ... s/6942402/
Hopefully this last system will cover the dirt on the north chutes, though I doubt it. Talked to one fellow who had summited San Gorgonio using the same route that Sally and I took. Hope to head back out there on Wednesday with Sally for another San G summit attempt...
Miles of smiles,
Ellen