Humber to Miller and Mt SJ

[rockboy]

I've been in Lurk Mode for a few years now, and have enjoyed the forum the entire time. Finally, I have a trip report that I'm proud to post.

Yesterday I planned a trip from Humber Park to Miller, Mt SJ, and Jean Peaks, weather permitting. It was the only day I had this week (this summer, for that matter) to hike, but I needed to go early to beat the incoming Monsoon.

I left Humber at 7:30, about 30 minutes later leaving the trailhead than I wanted, due to the closure of the Ramona Expressway (I live in Riverside) and (almost) forgetting to put my Adventure Pass in my dashboard (don't get me started).

Got to Saddle Jct at 8:30 (no clouds), got to the PCT/Wellmans jct. at 9:20, and saw my first clouds over the mountains. I knew what was coming. So, I high-tailed it to Wellman's Divide, but the altitude was a little problem, going that fast, so I took a little break. Up to this point, I had not seen a single person. The trail through Wellman's Cienega was lousy. Overgrown, narrow, rocky, not a fun 1.3 miles. Didn't enjoy that - the views, however, were great.

Got to Miller about 10:30, quick little boulder hopping to lift my spirits, but as I looked up toward the summit, it looked very foreboding. I decided not to do it. At about 11:15, after a little snack and rest at Miller, I bailed and headed back to Wellman's Divide. Glad I did. About 10 minutes after leaving Miller, the sky began to sound like gunfire. It was sprinkling a little, too.

I finally saw some people - from the tram heading to the summit, but seeing and hearing what was going on at the summit, I was surprised that they would continue. Crazy, if you ask me. I know that being on the summit is the last place I want to be in a t-storm.

Dry and quiet until I got back to almost Saddle Jct at 1:30, got some sprinkles about .5 mile from the junction. Saw a few people there, but saw the black cloud approaching from the south, so I know I better get going. By the time I got back to the parking lot, I was drenched. Heavy rain, hail, rivulets on the trail, people without proper clothing, it was a very interesting hike down. That amphitheater that the DS Trail is in amplified the thunder - quite the experience.

All told, 7 hours, ~14 miles, ~4000 vertical feet, didn't get mauled by a cougar, didn't get struck by lightning, I'd say a pretty good day.

Until I can figure out how to insert a picture into these posts, you can find my (small) folder of pix at [url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/19515644@N ... 073984606/
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[Sally]

Hi rockboy - Welcome!
Great trip report. Having been caught in a thunderstorm last week myself, I can relate to the feeling of urgency to get off the mountain. Sounds like a pretty good day indeed!

[Hikin_Jim]

Nice pics and sounds like a nice hike.

I'm with you. The top of a peak is the last place I want to be in a T-Storm. Yes, I know lightning related deaths are rare in California, but...

HJ