-San Jacinto Peak(4)-

Date Hiked: 12-31-2011

Trip Report:
Hiking up San Jacinto has become an annual tradition on new years eve. This was the second year Eric and I hiked to the top from the tram. It was a beautiful day and a fun hike.

Mt. Baldy and San Gorgonio From The Summit

We made the drive from San Diego and arrived at the lower tram station in time for the 8:15 tram. I always love driving along I-10 past San Jacinto’s north face. This year it was void of snow except for the very top. Unless we get a few big storms Snow Creek may not be in this year.

The trail from the ranger station was packed down and icy until the Round Valley sign. Past the sign the trail was packed but not icy.

Snow Near the Ranger Station

Round Valley Sign

River Crossing

Packed Trail

Rabbit Tracks

Enjoying the Day

We made good time along the packed trail. We did not need snowshoes the entire day, although if we ventured off the packed trail the snow was 2-3 feet deep.

Low Snow Year

Jean Peak

Cornell Peak

Low Snow Year

Eventually Eric and I made it to the Miller Peak saddle. From here it was a short hike to the summit.

Eric Along the Ridge

Nice Packed Trail

San Gorgonio

We reached the summit about 3 hours after starting from the tram. We took a break, ate some food and enjoyed the views on the summit.

Looking South

Eric on the Summit

San Gorgonio From the Summit

San Gorgonio 2010

Mt. Baldy From the Summit

The Upper Tram Station

The Sign on the Summit

Slightly More Snow Last Year

Myself on the Summit

Eric on the Summit

Summit Benchmark

After eating and taking pictures we made our way to the top of Snow Creek.

Snow Creek

San Gorgonio From the Summit

Eric Checking Out Snow Creek

On our way down we walked over to the hut and went inside. Last year the hut was buried in snow, this year it was an easy find. On the way down we made a few “short cuts” which didn’t work out so well.

Eventually we made it back to the tram for a round trip time of 5:45, about 2.5 hours faster than last year. It helped that there was much less snow this year than last.

2011

2010

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