Seven Pines Trail

10/29/17  Another trip up to San Jacinto, this time trying the Seven Pines trail for the first time. Very remote, hard to follow, and gorgeous singletrack. Combined with losing the trail badly for a while made for a great 9 mile adventure.
IMG_4458 To get to the trailhead of the Seven Pines trail, you take a little road off the highway to a tiny winding road to a rugged dirt road. It definitely seems to...
To get to the trailhead of the Seven Pines trail, you take a little road off the highway to a tiny winding road to a rugged dirt road. It definitely seems to…
IMG_4465 The trail starts in dense oak woods then transition into pine forest.
The trail starts in dense oak woods then transition into pine forest.
IMG_4466 Entering the wilderness, and this trail does feel pretty wild.
Entering the wilderness, and this trail does feel pretty wild.
IMG_4470 Perfect singletrack. Fairly easy to follow most of the way, but always rugged looking.
Perfect singletrack. Fairly easy to follow most of the way, but always rugged looking.
IMG_4476 Occasionally the trees open up making for some great views.
Occasionally the trees open up making for some great views.
IMG_4477 Sections of the trail were completely covered in a deep bed of pine needles. A slightly trampled path of needles was often the only indication of trail.
Sections of the trail were completely covered in a deep bed of pine needles. A slightly trampled path of needles was often the only indication of trail.
IMG_4479 Some of the best singletrack I've been on in a while.
Some of the best singletrack I've been on in a while.
IMG_4480 A ranger had been through recently (maybe the volunteer that I saw?) marking the trail with pink ribbons. They annoyed me at first, but I was grateful for them...
A ranger had been through recently (maybe the volunteer that I saw?) marking the trail with pink ribbons. They annoyed me at first, but I was grateful for them…
IMG_4482 Absolutely perfect trail. Just barely able to follow without ever really losing it.
Absolutely perfect trail. Just barely able to follow without ever really losing it.
IMG_4491 I'm not sure if the trees lean from the wind or to get more light, but it looks cool.
I'm not sure if the trees lean from the wind or to get more light, but it looks cool.
IMG_4496 There were a couple small streams with water still flowing.
There were a couple small streams with water still flowing.
IMG_4515 Made it to the top of the Seven Pines trail. The trail joins with a couple more heavily trafficed trails, and I start to see people again.
Made it to the top of the Seven Pines trail. The trail joins with a couple more heavily trafficed trails, and I start to see people again.
IMG_4513 I had some time to spare, so I decided to head down the PCT on the Fuller Ridge trail for a little ways.
I had some time to spare, so I decided to head down the PCT on the Fuller Ridge trail for a little ways.
IMG_4499 Fantastic views of Santiago and Baldy from the ridge.
Fantastic views of Santiago and Baldy from the ridge.
IMG_4501 Looks like there was a lot of work done along the PCT here recently. I little too much work for my taste.
Looks like there was a lot of work done along the PCT here recently. I little too much work for my taste.
IMG_4508 Once I have my running mileage back up again, I need to run this section of the PCT. It would be perfect for a really long slow climb.
Once I have my running mileage back up again, I need to run this section of the PCT. It would be perfect for a really long slow climb.
IMG_4510 Some great Diamond Valley Lake views from Fuller Ridge.
Some great Diamond Valley Lake views from Fuller Ridge.
IMG_4518 I hit my turnaround time and started to head back. I was having a harder time following the Seven Pines trail going downhill in the late afternoon light. At...
I hit my turnaround time and started to head back. I was having a harder time following the Seven Pines trail going downhill in the late afternoon light. At…
IMG_4520 Beautiful sunset. I was running most of the downhill in an effor to get down before dark and to pick up the kids before people started to get worried.
Beautiful sunset. I was running most of the downhill in an effor to get down before dark and to pick up the kids before people started to get worried.
IMG_4524 Made it back in the very last of the light. I had to drive the dirt road, and the super narrow winding road, in complete darkness. But I made it off the...
Made it back in the very last of the light. I had to drive the dirt road, and the super narrow winding road, in complete darkness. But I made it off the…