Takin’ down San Jacinto Peak!

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     With a bleak weekend wave forecast and a hunger for some adventure, this past weekend Amber and I tackled the second highest peak in Southern California, San Jacinto Peak. Located 2 hours away in the San Bernardino Mountain Range and standing at 10,834 feet, it beckoned to be climbed. The hike was a moderately strenuous 13 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of about 2,300 feet. How did we climb a 10,834 foot mountain by hiking a trail that only had an elevation gain of 2,300 feet you may ask. The answer to that question and more that after the jump!

Our adventure started with a drive to the Idyllwild Ranger Station to pick up adventure passes. These are required to have in order to climb the mountain and are free. One pass can cover up to 12 people. In retrospect, it appeared that we could have just gotten the pass at the ranger station at San Jacinto and saved some time, but the drive was nice and it was cool to check out Idyllwild. After we got our passes we crossed over the mountains and dropped back into the valley towards Palm Springs.

Now to your question. How did we start our hike at 8,000 feet you ask? Drive a car? Nope. Fly a helicopter? Nope. Take the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world? Yep! The Palms Springs Aerial Tramway is a twelve-and-and-a-half minute ride which begins at Valley Station (2,643 ft) and passes up North America’s sheerest mountain face through five life zones on its way to the Mountain Station at 8,516 ft above sea level. It cost us $23.95 each for round trip tickets and was definitely worth it! I couldn’t imagine hiking that mountain from the bottom (although, amongst stronger hikers, it is not an uncommon climb). The ride on the Tram offered some amazing views and some small thrills as we were pulled up the steep rocky faces.

Stepping off the Tram we were greeted with perfect temperatures (in contrast with those which we left on the desert floor), sunny blue skies, and an obvious lack of oxygen in the air. Winded, but excited and full of energy, Amber and I started our hike.

The beginning of the hike can be a little confusing (or at least it was for city slickers like us). There are many meandering trails which snake through the trees in the beginning and it’s easy to get mixed up. Best thing to do is ask for directions to the Ranger station once you get off the Tram. Once you arrive at the Ranger Station you can get a free trail map and be on your way.

The trail was fairly well marked. Due to being tired and slightly dazed from the thin air, it’s easy to get confused and wander onto a side trail if you’re not paying attention. Amber and I got sidetracked a few times in the beginning. However, once you get a little higher up the trail, there are less trails and it is easier to stay on path.

For shoes I observed people wearing everything from K-Swiss to hiking boots (which is what yours truly wore). The trail isn’t too rocky so a pair of sneakers with a strong sole would most likely suffice. For me having a boot with ankle support was comforting, especially after exhaustion sets in and walking turns more into stumbling. A sprained ankle at those heights would be bad news. I also was glad I didn’t have to worry too much about where I stepped. The thick sole of my hiking boot wasn’t affected by sharp rocks.

For water, I think 2 liters would be appropriate for most people. We saw people with more and saw people with less. I ended up drinking about 1.5 liters over the course of the hike. Our food rations were equally as moderate. I ate 2 apples, a bag of trailmix, and a PB&J.

Due to the combining factors of altitude and distance I would classify the hike as moderately strenuous. We spent about 6.5 hours in total hike time. 4 up and 2.5 back. If I could give one word of reassurance to those making the 4 hour trip up it would be: hiking down is super easy! After the struggle to the top, walking down felt effortless and we covered ground almost 3 times as fast. It would have been nice to carry that thought in my head as we hiked up!

Getting to the top was definitely worth it. The last 1/4 mile is a real dig-deep push to the top. By that point we were tired physically and mentally. It felt like we had been walking for days and during the last mile you are pretty much hiking on rock shale without much to see except rock, rock, and more rock. During the final 100 yards the trail pretty much disappears and you are left to get creative and design your own path as you scramble up and across large boulders. Once we reached the top the view was incredible! They say on a clear day you can see to Las Vegas. In the future if given the right conditions I would like to test that claim.

Overall the hike was a fun challenge and a good accomplishment. It felt good to triumphantly stand next to the peak sign and reflect on the effort it took to make it to the top. By the time I got back to the car I was more than ready to take my boots off and stop walking, but I was left with a peaceful satisfied feeling. Would I do it again? The answer, resoundingly, would be a YES!