Week 3- San Gorgonio via Dollar and Dry Lakes

7/8/21  The last leg was San Gorgonio via the South Fork trail with a counter-clockwise Dollar Lake and Dry Lake lollipop loop. 22 miles and 4,500' of gain on a humid day.
IMG_6077 Coming-up the South Fork trail. It's heartbreaking to see the remains of the burnt out forest. But the dense ferns are a welcome sight.
Coming-up the South Fork trail. It's heartbreaking to see the remains of the burnt out forest. But the dense ferns are a welcome sight.
IMG_6078 Entering the San Gorgonio Wilderness with the peak in the background.
Entering the San Gorgonio Wilderness with the peak in the background.
IMG_6079 At the base of the lollipop loop. Last time I went clockwise, so this time I went the opposite direction.
At the base of the lollipop loop. Last time I went clockwise, so this time I went the opposite direction.
IMG_6081 A nice area of green below the saddle.
A nice area of green below the saddle.
IMG_6087 Dollar Lake Saddle at 10,000'.
Dollar Lake Saddle at 10,000'.
IMG_6084 The San Bernadino Peak trail is still closed from the El Dorado fire. Fortunately it doesn't look like the ridgeline was too badly hit.
The San Bernadino Peak trail is still closed from the El Dorado fire. Fortunately it doesn't look like the ridgeline was too badly hit.
IMG_6093 Plummer Meadows and the Momyer trail below look like they were spared.
Plummer Meadows and the Momyer trail below look like they were spared.
IMG_6097 Nice lighting on the bowls around Jepson Peak.
Nice lighting on the bowls around Jepson Peak.
IMG_6103 Made it to the top. Big Bear lake is just visible in the distance. Not a drop of snow on top this year. In a decently wet year, there would still be large...
Made it to the top. Big Bear lake is just visible in the distance. Not a drop of snow on top this year. In a decently wet year, there would still be large…
IMG_6105 San Jacinto across the Coachella Valley.
San Jacinto across the Coachella Valley.
IMG_6101 A billy goat dog on the summit!
A billy goat dog on the summit!
IMG_6108 I rare photo of me on the summit. I spent over an hour on top chatting with a really cool couple. I normally don't socialize much on summits, but these folks...
I rare photo of me on the summit. I spent over an hour on top chatting with a really cool couple. I normally don't socialize much on summits, but these folks…
IMG_6112 Heading back down the other side of the loop, here passing by the crash site.
Heading back down the other side of the loop, here passing by the crash site.
IMG_6117 Approaching Dry Lake and things are starting to get green again.
Approaching Dry Lake and things are starting to get green again.
IMG_6121 Dry Lake. Completely dry this year, but it made for a gorgeous meadow view.
Dry Lake. Completely dry this year, but it made for a gorgeous meadow view.
IMG_6129 Leaving Dry Lake. That's the rock Dad and I ate lunch on a couple years ago. That year, the water was right up to the rock even later in the summer!
Leaving Dry Lake. That's the rock Dad and I ate lunch on a couple years ago. That year, the water was right up to the rock even later in the summer!
IMG_6134 There's still quite a few wildflowers out.
There's still quite a few wildflowers out.
IMG_6141 There's still a little bit of water flow in the South Fork of the Santa Ana river.
There's still a little bit of water flow in the South Fork of the Santa Ana river.
IMG_6143 Almost back down. I had never taken the little detour out to Poopout Hill before, so today I did. Here's the view from the top of the hill. Must have been even...
Almost back down. I had never taken the little detour out to Poopout Hill before, so today I did. Here's the view from the top of the hill. Must have been even…
IMG_6146 Passing through Horse Meadows as the sun is getting low. End to the third leg and the successful (inadvertent) completion of the 3 Week challenge.
Passing through Horse Meadows as the sun is getting low. End to the third leg and the successful (inadvertent) completion of the 3 Week challenge.