Return to Mt. Ellen

[Ellen]

Howdy All

As HH8 noted, it was very frustrating and embarrassing to not be able to find Mt. Ellen

Sally and Marilyn joined me for a second attempt on September 16. The NWS predicted a 30% chance of rain after 11 AM. After the sweltering heat in Riverside and elsewhere, I was hoping to get a little rain on our descent. Compared to Saturday, we went further up Deer Springs before heading XC up the ridge.

As Sally wrote: "At first things looked good, but soon enough we were criss-crossing the mountainside like rats in a maze, looking for the elusive peak only to be backtracking in order to avoid clumps of brush or rocks. Finally we found a nice drainage that was like an open highway and we followed it to what turned out to be Marion Mountain. We ascended it to as far as we were able to go, passing on attempting to climb the summit block. The real Mt Saint Ellen was just a stone-throw away. We ambled down and had lunch at the base of the pile of rocks and then scrambled up and signed the register."

Ironically, we did a counter clockwise loop around around the Rockpile and Marion Mt. before returning to the saddle between Marion and the Rockpile. The only buzz kill of the day was reading what a fellow named "Scott" wrote in the register. I'll try to post a photo.

On our return trip, we headed over to the lovely plateau that Hikin' Jim had shown us last summer. We stayed fairly high (the San Jacinto backbone ridge was on our right) and came close to the summit of Jean peak. Then we headed down a drainage that became choked with deadfall, rocks and brush. We exited the drainage and traversed downhill, finally winding back up on the trail in the little forest at about 9400 feet. We enjoyed beautiful weather with majestic clouds that passed over without raining on us. However, he gnats were so bad at the bottom of Marion Mt. trail that we hoped we would get rained on.

I am looking forward to seeing Sally's GPS route. Now I just have to figure out how to get from the Deer Springs trail to that nice brush free drainage...

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Sally]

I haven't had a chance to get a good look at my GPS track, but it should be a hoot!

Here are the pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1009477359 ... directlink

This trip made for a fine thrashing. Thank you, friend, for one of the best days ever! (But aren't they all?)

[towbradley]

Every time I go up into San j and look at the sky, its always a beautiful deep blue. Look like you not only found success in finding your treasure but enjoyed once again the gift of friendship in a moment of solitude and beauty. My wife's favorite saying is to"live in the moment". Nice pictures sally. Am saddened by Scott's comment. Regardless, continue please to post your trail reports. Almost forgot, are you going to write about about your trip up north a few weeks back? It may be more like a couple of months by now.

[scotts]

I'm *a* Scott and therefor feel compelled to say that it was not I.

scotts: never cranky hiking a mountain

[Ellen]

Howdy Scott2

I knew immediately it wasn't our Mt. San Jacinto Scott

The curmudgeon Scott should change his name.

Great to see you on the tram a while back -- I look forward to seeing you fly by me on Skyline when the weather cools off.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[scotts]

There's been some confusion. Apparently there are many Scotts.

I, scotts, am not that Scott, aka Ellen's Scott2.

Nor am I the Scott who was rude in the peak register. I've never been to Mt. Ellen, and do not share those feelings at all.

Maybe *that* Scott will post something to claim his behavior. Maybe he's not a Scott at all.

I, scotts, am sort of curmudgeonly at times.

[Ellen]

Howdy Scotts

Thanks for the clarification -- now I know there are at least two nice Scotts on this board

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[scotts]

Thanks Ellen.

It means alot -- your TR's always inspire me to get out there more and better.

(Well, all TRs are great afterall.)

cheers,
scotts