Cornell Peak

[KathyW]

I took the tram up this morning and hiked out to Cornell Peak and then on to San Jacinto Peak before returning to the tram station.

I had gone out to Cornell Peak twice before, but both times were in the winter and both times I stopped short of the summit block because the ice/snow made me nervous. I finally got up on the summit block today - I guess I just needed a nice summer day without snow/ice to be able to get up on top. After Cornell, I headed up to San Jacinto Peak via the old trail sorta. It was pretty hazy out there today, but the weather was perfect for hiking with a nice cool breeze blowing.

Some pics from Cornell Peak:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/5280509_mEyAt#321669515_QE7bx

[Cy Kaicener]

The class three section of the East face looks like its vertical in the picture.

[KathyW]

Cy: Yes, fairly vertical but with pretty good holds - that's the east side near the summit. The west side up near the summit is more difficult for me because of the way the rocks lean. The summit is a bit more exciting than some of the other peaks up there with the exception of Marion Mountain, which also has a class 3 summit block.

Kathy

[tinaballina]

Looks nice Kathy, this may sound a bit funny but could one do this without breaking her nails? I love hiking and find this to be a rather interesting hike but my i don't know that i am willing to give up my nails as of yet.

[KathyW]

Tina:

I wish I could answer your question, but I can't because I keep my nails clipped short - I don't even paint them.

Kathy

[Hikin_Jim]

...could one do this without breaking her nails?

Tina, I am definitely looking forward to bumping into you out on the trail some day.

[tinaballina]

Tina, I am definitely looking forward to bumping into you out on the trail some day. [/quote]

LOL, let me know when you go, would love to meet you as well.

[Bivouac]

Fairly easy trek Tina...my fav campsite up there btw. Ifn you take the first trail to the left after coming down the hill and crossing the stream bed and hike up to the clearing, you can see the summit trail straight ahead. You will know you are on it if you pass an old dilapidated outhouse near the top two campsites (diorite camp and something else). Cornell will be directly right. Lots of deer there too.
Biv

[zippetydude]

Kathy: Thanks for the cool pics - I'll have to do it. Seems just safe enough for a chicken like me, while being just scary enough to feel adventurous.

Tina: The key is control. If you don't fall, you probably won't break a nail. If you do, well, you probably won't care.

z

[KathyW]

Yes, it is an easy trek out to Cornell from the Tram and the little climb at the top adds a bit of a challenge, but even without going to the very top it's a nice hike and you can continue on to Mount San Jacinto and beyond from there if you want to make it a longer day.

Deer - I saw a couple of them over in Tamarack the day I did Cornell - it's really nice and peaceful over in that area.