San Jacinto Peak 6/25/2011

Robbie and I hiked up to San Jacinto Peak this past Saturday. We hiked 15 1/2 miles rount trip with elevation gain/loss of 4600 feet. This is the second tallest mountain in Southern California at 10,834 feet above sea level. Pictures and words can not quite describe how beautiful it is up in those mountains. Standing on that peak was like being on the rooftop of Southern California with views stretching out probably a hundred or more miles out in all directions. We plan on hiking to the top of the three highest mountains in So Cal this summer: San Gorgonio Mountain - 11,499 feet; Mount San Antonio ( Mount Baldy ) - just over 10,000 feet; and Mount San Jacinto 10,834 which we have just ( with much effort ) Bagged!

Within 7 hours we had gone from elevation zero near the coast to the top of the mountain. The elevation was taking its toll on me around the last 500 to 1000 feet. Dizziness, lightheaded, slight pulsating headache and a bit harder to hike. I felt much better after eating lunch and drinking plenty of water and Gatorade and just hanging out on top of the mountain. My body on the other hand worked very well and I didn't even get too sore from this hike. Robbie and I are both really stoked to have achieved this high mountain peak.

Above: Taquitz Peak above 8,800 feet

Below: View of Jean Peak at above 10,000 feet
Below: looking out below to the Palm Springs area.

Below: On top of the world.
Below: Stone hut just below San Jacinto Peak.


Below: Robbie and I with some other hikers at 10,834 feet in the sky.
Below: View of Suicide Rock


Below: Looking across to San Gorgonio Mountain - 11,499 feet
Below: View of Lily Rock

Daley Ranch

Robie and I had a had about 3 hours to hike Sunday morning as I had a family get together and he had to help a friend move. We hike from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, 7 miles through a full tour of a big section of the ranch. Giant boulders, Green meadows and a full dose of stimulation for the mind, body and spirit.,

Trabuco Creek - After Work Hike

My Friend Rob and I took a hike up Trabuco Creek after work. The creek is still pretty full and we had to get across a few sketchy creek crossings. This is a very beautiful wilderness area just off the beaten path of the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. We seen one guy on a mountain bike out there and he said that a hawk attacked his head while he was riding near the start of the trail near a metal power line structure. Good thing he had a helmet on. As Rob and I were walking back on the trail near the power pole, sure enough the hawk was circling high above in the sky and we could see it's huge nest up in the power line structure. Anyway, it was a good hike; good wind down after work.

Laguna Mtn Camping

We headed out to go Camping on Friday evening. We got up into the lower slopes of the Laguna Mountains around 9:45 to Cibbets Flats campground. We quickly realized that it was very cold and to top it off, the campground was full. We then wound our way up near the highest parts of the mountain at around 6000 feet to Burnt Rancheria campground and found a great camp site. COLD ! First things first, we got the fire going and then everything started to fall into place as we helped each other set up our tents. We had a great time that first night around the fire. There was just a sliver of moon and the stars were brilliant. Several hours later we were all dozing off to sleep warm in our bags.

The next morning My sisters dog "Banjo" and I woke before everyone else. I got the coffee going and took a little morning hike up to the peak directly behind our camp. The grasses were green, The flowers were blooming and the Black Oaks were all full of fresh new green leaves. I sat on top of the peak taking in the views and enjoying a few minutes of solitude and silence in the forest.



After breakfast we all geared up for a hike down the mountain a ways up into the Cottonwood Creek drainage. Other than hundreds of flies buzzing around our heads from time to time, the creek was nice and flowing pretty good this year.










After the hike we headed back to camp for a great lunch and some lounging around and napping.

Linda and I woke up and were ready to hike again. Everyone else was still in relax mode. We hiked up and caught a spur trail connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail. We hiked along the edge of the forest overlooking some mountain and desert views while winding in and out of Pine forest and pinyon-Juniper zone. Later that night we got an invite to go to the observatory on the mountain and look throu a 21 inch lense telescope up at the moon, the stars and the planets...Linda and I went and it was amazing---Super Cool.
Anyway, we spent the rest of the weekend touring around the mountain checking out the eastern escarpment down to the Anza Borrego Desert and driving out of the mountains by way of Pine Valley Road which is a nice adventure in itself.