Highway 74 to Saddle Junction PCT hike

General Palm Springs area.

Highway 74 to Saddle Junction PCT hike

Postby Wild » Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:19 pm

Hello folks,

Hope you guys have been enjoying the beautiful weather. I finally had the chance to roam the big hill for the first time this year! :shock: As always, it feels amazing to have spent some quality time out there. Just wish I had more of it!

Not only was it nice being there, but man, was it NICE to finally experience that wavy southern ridge! I had seen it on so many occasions from other peaks, but had never been anywhere near it. I loved every part of it. I'm looking forward to doing it again and tagging all the peaks along the way!

My buddy and I parked at the Bull Canyon TH, off the 74 highway, a few hundred yards past Paradise Cafe on Friday evening. We started hiking around 5:00pm and took a short break at 7:30pm, when my friend noticed he had forgotten his water purifier at the car. Went back and got it, then hiked back out about 2 miles farther than when we took our break. Next morning, up at 6:00am and tackled approximately 25 miles that day. We slept somewhere near Saddle Junction and hiked down to Humber Park on Sunday morning, where we got a ride back to our car.

...and here are some pictures :)

https://picasaweb.google.com/1086639589 ... eJunction#
Wild
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:50 am
Location: San Diego

Postby Hikin_Jim » Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:05 pm

Nice stuff.

So, what are we looking at here? Antsell? Haven't been over that way for a number of years.
Image

Looks like some nice stuff out that way.
Image

HJ
Backpacking stove reviews and information:  Adventures In Stoving
Personal hiking blog: Hikin' Jim's Blog
User avatar
Hikin_Jim
 
Posts: 4958
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:12 pm
Location: Orange County, CA

Postby Wild » Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:34 pm

Hey Jim!

I don't know what those red flowers are called.. but they are nice!

As for the ridge photo, from left to right: Toro Peak in background, Apache Peak behind the tree branch, Spitler, and indeed, Antsell Rock.
Wild
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:50 am
Location: San Diego

Postby Hikin_Jim » Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:35 pm

Wild wrote:I don't know what those red flowers are called.. but they are nice!
Those are Indian Paintbrush. The genus is Castilleja, but I'm not sure which species. Nice instance.

Wild wrote:As for the ridge photo, from left to right: Toro Peak in background, Apache Peak behind the tree branch, Spitler, and indeed, Antsell Rock.
Cool, thanks. And were you on South(well) Peak or Red Tahquitz or ? when you took the photo. Just trying to get things straight in my mind. :)

HJ
Backpacking stove reviews and information:  Adventures In Stoving
Personal hiking blog: Hikin' Jim's Blog
User avatar
Hikin_Jim
 
Posts: 4958
Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:12 pm
Location: Orange County, CA

Postby Andy » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:08 pm

Wild, it looks like a great trip with some amazing views. That's a rewarding hike and one of the more scenic ones around for sure. Thanks for the report.
Andy
 
Posts: 350
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 4:21 pm
Location: Temecula

Postby cynthia23 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:14 pm

Oh my gosh, what beautiful pictures. Thank you for posting them; you've re-inspired me .....
Q: How many therapists does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: Only one, but the light bulb has to want to change ...
cynthia23
 
Posts: 1289
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:33 pm
Location: Rancho Mirage

Postby halhiker » Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:47 pm

Did 74 to the Tram a few years back. Fun dayhike.

The section between Apple Canyon Divide and Red Tahquitz may be my favorite trail section out here.
User avatar
halhiker
 
Posts: 1260
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:00 pm
Location: La Quinta, CA

Postby Ellen » Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:59 pm

Howdy Wild Danny :)

Awesome pictures, thanks 8) Sally and I hiked from the Cedar Springs TH to the South Ridge TH last summer. Now that I've seen your pictures, I want to go again.

I'd love to dayhike from 74 to the tram -- any takers? Need to figure out the car shuttle.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen
Ellen
 
Posts: 2578
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:38 am
Location: Riverside, CA

Postby Wild » Tue Jun 12, 2012 2:20 pm

Jim, oh yeah.. that's right! And yes Red T was behind me in that pic.

Glad you guys enjoyed and felt inspired to go back. :)

Ellen, I'm down if I can make it back out there sometime soon ;)
Wild
 
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:50 am
Location: San Diego

Postby Sally » Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:00 pm

Hi Danny - I really enjoyed the TR and photos. Like Ellen, I'm ready to go back. We frequently discuss all the different options for hiking that area. We'll have to come up with a plan soon.
User avatar
Sally
 
Posts: 1125
Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:27 pm
Location: Temecula

Next

Return to Mt. San Jacinto & Santa Rosa Mountains

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests