Mt San Jacinto (southern California)

[derstuka]

Yeah, another non-utah post, but aren't all of mine? Well, yesterday, I went day-hiking up to the peak of Mt San Jacinto. The total distance was just shy of 16 miles (15.6 to be exact) and the total elevation gain of just over 4600 feet. San Jacinto peak is at 10,834 feet, so it is not the highest of anything, but a good hike non-the-less. It is the highest peak south of the 10 freeway (basically so cal, south of LA). It turned out to be a great day, but got a little chilly on the way back down. There is more than one way to get to the peak. You can take the Palm Springs aerial tramway, which will take you up to 8500 feet or so, the easier way, or you can take the route that we did from the small mtn town of Idyllwild, CA. You can take the 243 south from the 10 freeway (west of Palm Springs) and that will take you to Idyllwild. You get a wilderness permit and leave from Humber Park. There is also one way (which I will do next) is from the bottom of the desert floor all the way to the peak. About 8300 feet elevation gain. Enjoy the pictures.

[stefan]

Nice! thanks for sharin'. pretty area.

[derstuka]

Nice! thanks for sharin'. pretty area.

Glad you liked them. It was gorgeous up there!

[Sombeech]

great shots, man. 16 miles? not bad for a day!

[accadacca]

Nice report! For some reason my eyes didn't see the "weird tree" first.

[Mtnbiker]

What tree are you talking about?

great pictures. Dang that is a long day! My feet were sore after 8 miles yesterday

[derstuka]

What tree are you talking about?

great pictures. Dang that is a long day! My feet were sore after 8 miles yesterday

You dirty dogs.

This tree...

[James_B_Wads2000]

Is wasn't the tree I noticed, I was how nippy it must have been on the summit. You said it was cold right?

James

[derstuka]

Is wasn't the tree I noticed, I was how nippy it must have been on the summit. You said it was cold right?

James

I kept joking to her about her "thermometers" being on. That is one of the best natural gauges of temperature, right?

[accadacca]

Is wasn't the tree I noticed, I was how nippy it must have been on the summit. You said it was cold right?

James

I kept joking to her about her "thermometers" being on. That is one of the best natural gauges of temperature, right?

Who is it?

[derstuka]

Who is it?

Damn you horny bastards! I had to pull the pics of her! She is my gf. I cannot wait till the next one of you post a pic of your woman...ahahahahahahahahaha! I didn't think the pics would be that big of a deal. She does have some nice cans though!

[James_B_Wads2000]

Damn you horny bastards! I had to pull the pics of her! She is my gf.

Sorry to do this to you derstuka, but I owe you one. Fearing you would pull the other pic I kept a copy so that everyone knew what I was talking about.

Much love

[derstuka]

[quote=James_B_Wads2000]Sorry to do this to you derstuka, but I owe you one. Fearing you would pull the other pic I kept a copy so that everyone knew what I was talking about.

Much love

[Mtnbiker]

Now THAT is funny J, gotta admit. All they're saying is ya did good buddy

[accadacca]

Yup, hats off to ya on the find. Nice TR...oh I mean RT....

[basilone0331]

That's a fun hike, one hell of a view from the peak. If you want a challenging hike in the same area try the Cactus to Clouds hike. It starts in the Palm Springs Art Museum parking lot and you hike up to the tram or you can go to the peak. I did it in october, it is supposed to be one of the hardest hikes in the US (11 miles 8000 ft - to the tram, 23 miles, 10700 ft to the peak and back down to the tram) This page has some good info on the hike if you're interested.
http://www.geocities.com/cactus2clouds/mainmenu2.html