[pct-l] San Gorgonio Pass to Hwy 74 (Pines to Palms Highway)

[Jason Moores]

I would think that the snow cover would be 100% from Apache to Black
Mountain Road. I would definitely call about avalanche conditions, the trail
stays on the north/eastern exposure along the last mile and a half.

Last year the trail was 98% under snow when we crossed, we had little
problem holding to the route, but it was all consolidated with no real
avalanche exposure. Due to the steepness of the terrain along the Castle
section of the ridge many hikers chose to just stick to the top of the ridge
and didn't bother to follow the trail route.

Having done Fuller from both directions I found southbound the easiest for
route finding but Halfmile is right about the climb, though I would rather
walk up to the ridge instead of down to Snow Canyon. Two of my hiking
partners had shinsplints by the time we reached the water fountain. It's a
grind ether direction, but what a view! San Jacinto is one of my favorite
places, I wish I was going with you.

Jackass



On Thu, Mar 3, 2011 at 12:08 PM, Halfmile <list at lon.net> wrote:

> Devon,
> Sounds like a fun adventure to me.
>
> A couple of comments:
> If you hiked northbound from Hwy 74 you would have 3,500 feet less
> climbing and a more gradual climb to start. You would also have the
> option of bailing down the Spitler Peak trail and walking an alternate
> route into Idyllwild (see my Section B Maps) if the you decide you are
> not comfortable going on when you get to Apache Peak.
>
> You could run into ice and want crampons/ice axe. They might have more
> info here:
> http://www.mtsanjacinto.info/
>
> -Halfmile
> www.pctmap.net
>
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 3, 2011 at 10:22 AM, Devon Taig <devon.taig at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I have 7 days next week, and am seriously considering a (largely)
> snow-shoe
> > journey consisting of the 60 miles or so between Interstate 10 (San
> Gorgonio
> > Pass) and Hwy 74 (Pine to Palms).  My guess is that at least 75% of this
> > will be under snow.  I haven't been up there in 20 years so my memory is
> a
> > little sketchy on what to expect.  I remember something dark and
> foreboding
> > about Fuller Ridge though.  I'll be taking a GPS with Halfmile's GPS
> tracks
> > / waypoints loaded, so even if there isn't a trail visible, I'm hoping
> not
> > to get too far off route.
> >
> > Would anyone care to comment on the fool-hardiness of this endeavor (e.g.
> > "we'll try not to trip over your body when we hike by in May")?   I'm
> > wondering specifically about avalanche potential and snow-shoe traverses
> > along and across steep slopes. I'm normally comfortable walking 20 miles
> a
> > day, so hopefully 10 mpd won't be more than I can handle in snow.
> >
> > Devon
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