San Mateo Peak

12/27/18  A rare chance to see snow in the Santa Anas! Dad took me on a nice 10 mile loop to San Mateo Peak starting and ending at the Morgan trailhead.
IMG_0486 Snow right at the trailhead at only 2,800'!
Snow right at the trailhead at only 2,800'!
IMG_0489 The first of many dinosaurs along the trail.
The first of many dinosaurs along the trail.
IMG_0493 We definitely weren't expecting this to be a snow day!
We definitely weren't expecting this to be a snow day!
IMG_0495 Great views as we head up to the peak.
Great views as we head up to the peak.
IMG_0502 Wow, look how low the snow level is on Santiago and Baldy!
Wow, look how low the snow level is on Santiago and Baldy!
IMG_0505 Heading up some steep, rutted trail.
Heading up some steep, rutted trail.
IMG_0509 We've definitely never seen snow that low on the Santa Ana range.
We've definitely never seen snow that low on the Santa Ana range.
IMG_0516 Made it to San Mateo Peak. View from the top.
Made it to San Mateo Peak. View from the top.
IMG_0519 Panaroma from the top, with the only two people we saw all day also in the frame.
Panaroma from the top, with the only two people we saw all day also in the frame.
IMG_0524 Heading on now with several inches of snow in places at only 3,500'.
Heading on now with several inches of snow in places at only 3,500'.
IMG_0527 A marshy, snow covered meadow. A rare sight around here.
A marshy, snow covered meadow. A rare sight around here.
IMG_0532 A cool old sign.
A cool old sign.
IMG_0533 Dinsoaur in the snow.
Dinsoaur in the snow.
IMG_0540 That's quite a snowfield for the Santa Ana mountains.
That's quite a snowfield for the Santa Ana mountains.
IMG_0541 Heading back down to the Tenaja trail.
Heading back down to the Tenaja trail.
IMG_0545 It's overgrown and technical in places. Perfect!
It's overgrown and technical in places. Perfect!
IMG_0546 Nice late afternoon lighting on the hills.
Nice late afternoon lighting on the hills.
IMG_0552 We finished in the dark. End to a great, snowy experience in the San Mateo Wilderness.
We finished in the dark. End to a great, snowy experience in the San Mateo Wilderness.
IMG_0515 Crystal clear views out to the ocean, you can even see San Clemente island again today.
Crystal clear views out to the ocean, you can even see San Clemente island again today.