10/7/12 Back to San Jacinto, this time with my Dad. We started at Humber Park, went up the Devil's Slide trail, through Wellman's Divide, and to the summit. Over 15 miles and 4,700' of gain on an early Fall day with perfect weather.
1 Great single track coming-up the Devil's Slide trail with water on the trail late in a very dry year.
2 Beautiful morning views.
3 Picture perfect single track on this portion of the trail. I definitely need to come up here again for a run.
4 The trail merges with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
5 Top of Devil's Slide and ready to head towards Wellman's Divde.
6 Wellman's Cienga. One of my favorite places in all of Southern CA. A solid fern forest for a couple of miles. Last time it was deep, lush green as far as the eye could see. This time, later in a very dry year, it's starting to brown out. But it made for a great color combination.
7 Still lots of green.
8 I love this trail.
9 This was solid green last time, but it still looks cool in brown.
10 The dripping waterfall. Just as much water as last time. Definitely must be spring fed.
11 Ideal single track.
12 Past the fern forest and almost to Wellman's Divide. Dad takes in the view.
13 Dad's picture of me on the trail.
14 Wellman's Divide at the end of Long Valley. Always a great view.
15 Dad looking out over Wellman's Divide.
16 Just over 1,000' vertical feet left to go to the summit.
17 Looking down over Long Valley. You can see the tram station on the ridge. That's the easy way to get here.
18 A panorama picture of Long Valley.
19 Only 0.3 miles left to the top, the last couple hundred yards of which are a rock scramble.
20 The cabin (made famous by "Ellen the Hut") just below the summit.
21 Made it to the top, in Vibrams! Despite a lot of running miles in Vibrams, this was my first hike in them. The downhill was definitely tougher than the uphill. My feet and calves were dead at the end of the day.
22 Dad and me on the summit.
23 360 degree video from the summit.
24 View from the summit.
25 Panorama from the summit.
26 Another panorama.
27 Heading back down through Wellman's Cienaga. The late afternoon lighting made the colors even more interesting.
28 Late afternoon in Wellman's Cienaga.
29 I wonder if there's a trail along that ridge?
30 A hazy mountain view in the early evening as the sun is about to set.
31 Sunset and we still have a couple miles to go. In traditional Sohl fashion, we finish the hike in darkness with headlamps.
32 Back at the trailhead in complete darkness, illuminated only by our headlamps. Another successful day in the books. With this summit, Dad has now summited all of the Big Three (Baldy, San Jacinto, and Gorgonio) after the age of 70. Quite a feat!
