DANGER:  Going up the Dry Lake Trail, after the Sky High swtichbacks, when you get to the left turn to start doing the horseshoe bend of Mineshaft Flats,

THERE IS THE USUAL (THOUGH MUCH LATER THAN USUAL) DANGEROUS SNOWFIELD THAT CROSSES THE TRAIL!

THIS SNOWFIELD BAKES IN THE SUN AND GETS ROCK HARD FROM MELT-FREEZE.  IT PERSISTS SO LONG IT GETS PINK BUT IS JUST AS HARD.

THE RUNOUT DOES NOT LOOK BAD, BUT IT FOOLS YOU.  THERE ARE ROCKS BELOW AND IF YOU SLIDE, NO ICE AXE WILL SAVE YOU, EVEN IF YOU WERE THE BEST SELF-ARRESTER IN THE WORLD!

THE WORKAROUND:

Take a different way, or, if you want to go that way like we did, do what we and others have done. As you near the hard turn left after the traverse after the Sky High switchbacks, look to your right.  You will see a little saddle up a small ridge…that is where the trail comes in to the peak.  It's “kitty litter” DG with a few rocks, and you can make your own switchbacks plunge stepping a bit to get up.  You'll see “pointy rocks” up on the skyline to your right.   Those are the summit rocks on San G.  Aim for them or a bit over to the left if you want to join the trail right before it goes up the rocks.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GO THROUGH OR UP AROUND THE SNOWFIELD.  THE SLOPE ANGLE IS TOO SHARP.  EVEN IF YOU SEE TRACKS, IT IS NOT WORTH THE RISK OF GETTING SAR'D OUT WITH MAJOR INJURIES OR GETTING CADAVERED OUT – FOR REAL!

WOULD YOU DO BACKBONE IN WINTER WHEN IT CORNICES?

WOULD YOU DO TAHQUITZ FIRE LOOKOUT IN WINTER WHEN IT'S ENCASED IN ICE?

THE SNOWFIELD LOOKS TEMPTINGLY TAME, BUT IT IS JUST AS BAD AS THESE.

AND YOU WANT TO COME HOME TO BE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, RIGHT?

Anyways, it's fun to do that little bit of cross country!

We had a great time – though a long day!  Beautiful weather!  Wildflowers on the South Fork Trail.  Crazy gorgeous clouds, especially at the peak!  Nice cool day!

Our first obstacle was the rushing torrent we had to cross to get to the Dry Lake switchbacks.  In winter, with snow, we hiked straight up the drainage.  I suggested we try that instead.  The drainage was amazingly rough, so we went up the right side and went on top but took awhile as was not even, etc. up n downs – could not believe what it was as it was perfect in snow!  Took a long, slow time.  Burned a lot of time.  But got to Dry Lake.

The trail was fine there and up the Sky High Trail.  Didn't see the Sky High sign – must have been taken or somehow snow took it out.  Knew on it when we saw the aircraft wreckage.  Everything was completely snow-free; other than that big snowfield going to Mineshaft Flats.  The area just before the corner to Mineshaft also had a smaller snowfield right at the corner, but we shaved more to the right and avoided it.  Consistency “kitty litter” slight plung stepping switchbacking up the lower-angled slope.  Look up and you'll see “pointy white rocks” if you go this way…those are the summit rocks!  It's a cool way to spook the Dollar and Vivster people to pop up from the back! 😀

With all the cross country that burned time, it was around 2 – 2:30 when we got to the peak.  Didn't stay long, but enough to take some fun pics esp of the signs coming off the summit…including my most favorite one in the world!  Clouds were AMAZING!  SUCH a nice day!

Going down Dollar, conditions were good, just seemed to take FOREVER to go those 3ish miles to Dollar Lake Saddle!  When we got there, we were “YAY!” Little did we know…we were about to embark on…

ROCK FIT!!!!!

I remembered there was one area of rockslide the last time I did the trail, a couple years ago.  I did NOT remember there being the entire area from shortly coming off the saddle til the last switchbacks going down to the creek!  I think the bad winters brought even more of the mountain down!  Somewhere in there, we saw Dollar Lake itself – first time I've EVER seen it with water, and it looked like a perfect silver dollar!  The setting sun made it look so so cool!  Made it easier to deal with the rocks!

We got through that, slower than I wanted, but such was the footing.  When we finally got down the first still rocky switchbacks, I was excited to see dirt and maybe make up time, as we were chasing the sun for its last rays!

But alas, it was not to be, because next was

TREE FIT!!!!!

Idk 10, 15, 20, mind was a blur at that point of treefall/blowdowns, at least 2-3 per switchback.  Hip flexors got a very good workout!  Took twice as long as normal as some had snags.

At least we did not have to cross the stream coming down.  We hit darkness after the road closing in on the cabin.  So most of the way out.  Andrea's partner had taken her headlamp out of her glovebox, but she had a really bright flashlight, brighter than my good headlamp, so she led and I followed with my headlamp.  The flashlight was good for scaring away any critters if need be.

Our moving time was just under 12 hours.  The cross country definitely added to it.  Still a fun, adventurous day; the only girls out there except one lady coming up Viv who looked burnt, and only ones doing the entirety of the north side and as a day hike!

SO GLAD we got Gorgonio done, especially with Hilary's wreckage wrought!

WE GIRLS RULE!!!!!!