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| | San Jacinto Peak via Deer Springs, CA | | | |
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San Jacinto Peak via Deer Springs, CA
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| Backpack | 20.00 Miles |
5,200 AEG |
| | Backpack | 20.00 Miles | 3 Days | | |
| 5,200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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| no partners | | This was Brian's and my "plan b" after the guv shutdown foiled our Whitney plans. We arrived at the Idyllwild ranger station Saturday morning pretty much prepared for any adventure, but itching for something big. The state park ranger (or whatever his title was) was close to worthless, acting impatient and knowing nothing about potential water sources. After some cajoling, he finally admitting that there was a "pretty good chance" of water being on the Deer Springs trail not far from Little Round Valley campground. We decided to go for it.
We got a late start and I was a little concerned that Brian wasn't fully appreciating the challenge that lay ahead. We were both battling knee pain and we had 8 miles and 4,000 feet elevation gain to get to camp. The trail started off at steep grade and pretty much never let up.
Whether we were in better shape than I thought or the beauty of the place distracted us, I don't know (probably both), but we trudged up there like champs. We started in Jeffrey Pine and Manzanita and climbed up pretty quickly to beautiful lodgepole pines, all while civilization shrank below us in the background. Around mile 7, we came across a big CCC camp...with hoses carrying water from a spring ("pretty good chance" my pumpkin). We filled my collapsible jug and I lugged an additional 1.5 gallons of water the remaining mile to camp. By that point I was ready to call it a day, but all in all we still felt good. We took the first available site, which ended up being perfect. It was set among car-sized granite boulders and offered wind protection and great views. No campfires but whiskey, stars, and the lights of Riverside sufficed.
The next day we finished the easy last mile or so to the summit, taking in the view and warm sun. After doing that and refilling water (at another source a mere quarter-mile away), most of the day had passed. We found our way through the granite maze to a perfect ledge to watch the sunset and eat dinner. It was an incredible view.
The descent the next morning was the real concern with our knees. We packed our gear, drugged-up and stretched, and hoped for the best. I was again pleasantly surprised. Brian was hurting toward the end, but 1,400 mg of ibuprofen and knee braces prevailed. We both arrived to the ol' Bronco II in good shape. To make sure the trip was perfect, we topped it off with a half-pound burger and pint. It just doesn't get better than that! |
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“...wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.”
-Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire |
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