Ski Mt San Jacinto this week?

[kellymoe]

I'm spending the week down in Palm Desert with my family and one day during the week I plan on taking the tram and skiing to the top and back down in a day. It's about a 5 mile ski to the summit and then a fun ski back to the tram station. I may also be talked into skiing Snow Creek from the summit if anyone is up for it?

I dont mind a solo trip but I thought I would throw out the invite.

[kellymoe]

Snow was great, had a fun time.

[kellymoe]

Ok a little more info. Last Tuesday I skied Mt. San Jacinto which sits overlooking the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea to the South and on a clear day you can see Los Angeles to the Northwest. The peak is the second highest in Southern California at just about 10,830 Mt. San Gorgonio is a bit higher at just over 11,000 feet. My day started with an alpine start of 10am and after downing a thermos of coffee I loaded onto the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway that takes you from close to sea level to almost 9,000 feet in just about 11 minutes. I went from 85 degrees to 40 degrees in less time than it takes me to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

After stepping off the tram I hiked less than 1/4 mile before there was enough snow to start skinning my way up Long Valley toward the peak about 5 miles distant. After 3.5 hours of skiing I finally arrived at the peak. I had a brief snack and a cup of coffee on top before peeling the skins off my skis in preparation for the payoff of the long climb. What took a little over 3.5 hours to ascend only took 30 minutes to to descend. The face was a wide open bowl leading to a narrow tree lined canyon. I went from wide open GS turns on top to tight slalom turns in the trees. In no time i was back at the tram station.

After taking the tram back to the car I drove back to the resort my family was staying at for a dip in the pool and cool beer in the jacuzzi. Epic day indeed.

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Awesome!

Did you have any communications with you?


I've done the hike from the Idyllwild side. Up Devil's Slide Trail, and tried to make it to the tram for a view, some snacks and a round trip back. But I was losing daylight and had to turn back early.

I'm trying to find links for the trails in the area. But they are hard to find.

Here is one.

http://www.pstramway.com/things/hiking-detail.asp


Very long ago....a very famous person once called this area, the Yosemite of Southern California!

Who was That? Anyone know?






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[kellymoe]

Awesome!

Did you have any communications with you?


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I had a cell phone but no reception. I was solo but my wife knew where I was and you have to fill out a permit at the ranger station in Long Valley at the trail-head. I have done lots of solo backcountry skiing and feel confident about recognizing avalanche hazards and I don't push my self beyond what I am absolutely certain I can pull off. My biggest concern is a blown out knee or busted leg. Two guys thinking of snowshoeing while I was filling out my permit decided not to head out for the day because they thought they had seen mountain lion tracks. Talk about a weak excuse.

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Great Job!

That's amazing you did that by yourself!

You know we now have to punish you for no pics!


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But it's really OK....sometimes....Alone is Better!