Like so many of us, I've been in San Jacinto withdrawal. I was ecstatic to hear that we'd be able to hike to the peak from the tram. As San Jacinto is my home range and loved by so many of my mountain family, I wanted to hike in her wilderness on my birthday weekend. I turned 60 today
The day started out in an interesting fashion when I awoke yesterday to discover that it was 6:30 AM -- the time I usually LEAVE from Riverside
Fortunately, the daypack was ready to go. Set a speed record for feeding my fur babies (one Sheltie and six cats) and bolted out the door. Managed to spill only a little coffee on myself on the drive in.
Friday night, my mom and sisters threw me a surprise early birthday party complete with balloons. I had the balloons in the trunk of the car, planning to tie them to my daypack and take them with me to the mountain. Jym was helping me get my stuff out of my trunk (I was feeling disorganized) and I accidently released the balloons. Jym ran after them as they rose into the air, hoping to snag them with my pole. When that didn't work, he aimed the pole at them like one would throw a javelin
I wouldn't be surprised if the balloons are found somehwere on the Never Ending Ridge on Skyline.
Kathryn and Indie Jack surpised me in the parking lot with a lovely birthday card and Starbucks gift card -- it was shaping up to be a fabulous day after a somewhat harried start
The boarding area was filled with friends and other San Jacinto addicts chomping at the bit. I gave Doreen the Skyline Queen a hug, then saw Scott2, Andy, Hengst Joe, Engine Joe, Joy, Joan, Sandra, David Stewart and numerous other friends. A reporter interviewed hikers as part of a story on the 50th anniversary of the tram. Jessica conducted us up to the mountain station.
There was the usual sprint down the walkway to get hiking permits
Scott and Andy went mano-a-mano with a bulldozer (all in jest of course). We spoke with the rangers to confirm the open trails and headed out to Wellman's divide. Had a nice break and chat at Wellman's discussing who was going where and chowing down Engine Joe's incredible chocolate chip cookies -- he'd baked them for my birthday. I discovered that he also uses peanut butter in his recipe 
It was an absolute gorgeous day -- we alternated between hiking in the mist and clouds. Occaisonally the Coachella valley and Santa Rosas would be visible through the clouds/mist. My chest ached with happiness to be back in this very special wilderness. The cloud cover kept the temperature down but we didn't experience any thundershowers -- perfect.
I discovered that I still dislike walking up the cemet switchbacks
Thanks so much to David and Jim for a great day and for buying my beer. Frank and Amit took good care of us as always. By the time we were done partying, it was late enough that I decided to save Las Casuelas for another day and headed home. I didn't see the Craigmeister but will be hiking with him again soon.
A funny moment to end the day -- when I stopped at Del Taco for a green burrito, I received the SENIOR DISCOUNT
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
