Yesterday, Sally, Marilyn and I headed back to the San Gorgonio range. Marilyn questioned my sanity when she drove through pounding rain from Lake Forest to pick me up in Riverside. By the time we met Sally at the Mill Creek RS, the rain had stopped. Drove up to the Southfork TH, geared up and got started about 7:45 AM. The trail had ice and mud in the usual spots. At the Wilderness boundary sign, we left the trail and headed up Duct Tape ridge (so named due to the amount of pink duct tape removed by fellow hikers). I've also heard it nicknamed Devil's ridge, since this route drops one out on the San Gorgonio backbone to the east of Alto Diablo.
We started hitting good snow coverage after about 30 minutes of climbing. We were sinking only about four to six inches and had to maneuver around rocks, brush, deadfall, etc. so the snowshoes stayed on our packs. It started to snow -- big, wet beautiful flakes. As we gained elevation, the snow beneath us became more powdery and we started sinking up to our knees. Donned snowshoes and continued to climb, blanketed in a soft, dry snowfall -- Girlrillas in the Mist. We traversed around a rocky peaklet before connecting with the San Gorgonio backbone.
Once we gained the San Gorgonio ridge, we headed west towards Alto Diablo. We were treated to beautiful rime ice and snow-flocked trees. At last, the distinctive shape of Alto Diablo loomed ahead. Once on top, we pulled out our sit-upons and enjoyed lunch. Eventually the cold temperature encouraged us to pack up and head down. Followed our snowshoe and boot tracks back to the main trail and enjoyed a leisurely walk back to the TH.
Thanks to my wonderful friends for another grand adventure.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
