This winter has seen unusual amounts of snowfall in southern California, perfect conditions for the midwesterner homesick for the seasons. Last night, the snow line descended to around 1,000 feet, and deposited several fresh inches (feet?) on the 10,000 foot peaks in the area. Thus, it was time to hit the mountains and give my new snowshoes a test run. San Jacinto seemed like the obvious choice, since I had yet to see it under winter conditions, and the tram makes it an easy 12-mile round trip day hike. Well, easy if you can see the trail. When the trail is under several feet of snow, the hiker is presented with constant choices, most of which involve how steeply you want to go uphill. Since you can see the ridge for most of the hike, the only question really was how directly I wanted to get there. Though I created some switchbacks for myself, a post-hike review of the map indicated that I ended up cutting off about half the hike, at least distance-wise. Countless huffs and puffs later, I was rewarded with stunning views from the peak. Since I was the first one off the tram this morning, I basically got to create my own trail, with about 80 other people coming behind me. Since it's MUCH easier to walk in someone else's tracks than create your own, I basically ended up setting the route for today's hikers. Luckily, I was joined about 2/3 of the way there by another group that helped with the groundbreaking, making the hike both more enjoyable and less physically demanding. My new theory is that the second person in line expends about half the energy of the first person, and the third person half that of the second. We celebrated at the peak, which was not as windy and bitter as we feared, and then rollicked all the way down, glissading through snow so deep my walking stick couldn't find the base.
The unusually low snow line of San Jacinto, as seen from the approach.
Cornell Peak, a guidepost for much of the hike, peeks above this meadow. Stay to the left and you're on your way...
Eventually, I was caught by a group of about 10 hikers, who helped tremendously in breaking trail. They took this shot before I let them take over, and I got to step in someone else's footsteps for the first time.
Steve discovers that even snowshoes can't always keep you afloat.
Verne does an admirable job of leading us to the ridge.
You can get a sense for how deep the snow was by this hiker hut, submerged up to its chimney.
The peak
San Jacinto, elevation 10,834'
Once we got to the peak, we explored a bit. Here, Ellen walks out to the ridge to examine the distant ranges (see below). I learned later that, three years ago, Ellen spent two nights in the hut above, caught in a storm with a broken leg.
This panorama (click to enlarge) from the peak reveals Mt. Baldy in the distant background and San Gorgonio in the background to the right.
A closer shot of San Gorgonio in the background, and some brave trees in the foreground
The valley below, complete with a distant lake
The way down provided for some sliding and floating. No wonder, considering the slope.
Afternoon light highlighted the contours of the stream bed, above and below.
