EISPIRATEN

Decided to head up with the So Cal Hikers and Peakbaggers to Dry Lake this past Saturday.

S Fork Trailhead:

Chilly morning, snow everywhere.

But by Poopout Hill, not a soul had a jacket on.


San G was sure looking good.


The trail was well tracked up to S. Fork Meadows, but only lightly tracked to Dry Lake. We of course headed up the "winter route" (straight up the drainage) instead of risking the exposure that the actual trail entails.



Ever wonder about this rock? It kind of sits out there in the middle of everything all by it's lonesome. There aren't a lot of rocky walls for it to fallen from. I suspect it's a glacial erratic.


Almost there.


Dry Lake. Really beautiful day. Lake Peak is seen beyond the lake.


Looking SSE from the outlet of Dry Lake.


San G looms large above Dry Lake.



People unfamiliar with the mountains of Southern California are really missing out on some grand landscapes. San Gorgonio Mountain (left) and Jepson Peak (right). Big Draw lies between the two summits.



No lack of water...

...if you have the right tools.





Heating up.


About time for some lunch.


Regrettably, it's time to head for home.


On our return, we pass through South Fork Meadows

which is a most lovely spot.


By afternoon, the trail is really well packed.


Nearing the trailhead, we cross this avalanche zone.


The clearing of the avvy zone affords a nice view of the Sugarloaf.


Horse Meadows is looking good.



Nearing the end of my hike, I look back for one last fond look at the SGW. It's been a great day.


Thanks for coming along.

HJ

Thanks for taking the time to post this. Really looks great up there. How many miles is that? Im looking for a family snowshoe spot.

Great pics, thanks.

A noob question: is a San G. summit pretty much a full-on expedition this time of year?

beautiful photos Jim!! glad you got out. it's nice to see the SGW is holding onto its snow. i need to get back out there. i still haven't climbed Jepson in winter. did you see any climbers on San G, Big Draw or Jepson?

Thanks for posting, Jim. Good to see you out there! 8)

Great pictures Jim, those shots of Jepson have me thinking about my next attempt.

Nice day, HJ--thanks for posting up.
I too haven't done Jepson yet this season. Must make haste.

Dave G wrote: ↑Nice day, HJ--thanks for posting up.
I too haven't done Jepson yet this season. Must make haste.

We should make a romantic date of it - I'll bring the wine.

Burchey wrote: ↑

Dave G wrote: ↑Nice day, HJ--thanks for posting up. I too haven't done Jepson yet this season. Must make haste.

We should make a romantic date of it - I'll bring the wine.

i'll bring the camera!

longcut wrote: ↑Thanks for taking the time to post this. Really looks great up there. How many miles is that? Im looking for a family snowshoe spot.

It's roughly six miles from the trailhead via trail to Dry Lake. It's a bit shorter if you go straight up the drainage on snowshoes.

Just heading up to S. Fork Meadows is nice. That's about four miles from the trailhead. It's very gentle once you get past Poopout Hill, and it's really not that bad to get to Poopout Hill.

HJ

obie wrote: ↑A noob question: is a San G. summit pretty much a full-on expedition this time of year?

It's a pretty good distance, but if you get an early start and move quickly, it can be done in a day. If it gets icy, you do need crampons, and you need to know to do a self arrest with your ice axe. Last Saturday, San G could have been done without ice axe and crampons. Just snow shoes were needed.

HJ

norma r wrote: ↑ beautiful photos Jim!! glad you got out. it's nice to see the SGW is holding onto its snow. i need to get back out there. i still haven't climbed Jepson in winter. did you see any climbers on San G, Big Draw or Jepson?

It was really nice to get out. I was itchin' for a real snow overnighter (last week's snow camp wasn't really in the high country), but lacking companions I chose the day trip. I love this kind of stuff, but I've got a little girl at home who crawls around saying "dada? dada?" When I'm not home. Most of my trips are within 30 minutes drive and only a few hours of hiking. All day or overnight trips are a special treat.

Saw a lot of guys with pickets and such heading up, but I didn't see anyone actually climbing. Of course with my eyesight (or lack thereof), that isn't saying much.

HJ

Taco wrote: ↑Thanks for posting, Jim. Good to see you out there! 8)

It was freakin' cool.

HJ

Burchey wrote: ↑

Dave G wrote: ↑Nice day, HJ--thanks for posting up.
I too haven't done Jepson yet this season. Must make haste.

We should make a romantic date of it - I'll bring the wine.

TMI!



HJ

No, I'm not hiking this weekend, best excuse ever:


HJ

Wow spectacular conditions and photos! Must...get...out there!

Hikin_Jim wrote: ↑No, I'm not hiking this weekend, best excuse ever:
HJ

this is not an excuse, it's a perfectly beautiful reason.

Burchey wrote: ↑

Dave G wrote: ↑Nice day, HJ--thanks for posting up.
I too haven't done Jepson yet this season. Must make haste.

We should make a romantic date of it - I'll bring the wine.

I didn't know this was that kind of board.

Burch~I can usually be counted upon to bring the whine if there's much postholing involved!

Dave G wrote: ↑

Burchey wrote: ↑

Dave G wrote: ↑Nice day, HJ--thanks for posting up.
I too haven't done Jepson yet this season. Must make haste.

We should make a romantic date of it - I'll bring the wine.

I didn't know this was that kind of board.

Burch~I can usually be counted upon to bring the whine if there's much postholing involved!

I don't know about the wine, but we've definitely got the cheese on this forum.



HJ