The weekend before we attempted to summit from Idyllwild and camp at Little Round Valley. We had started too late and turned around to get back to the car and not even bother camping.

But! This past weekend we took the tram from Palm Springs up. Not sure if it’s because we started early or if this trail was more traveled (I use the term traveled loosely, lots of footprints and different trails on the snow) Once you get past the ranger station and cross the creek, the snow starts. This is where we put our micro spikes on, the rest of the way to summit was covered in snow. Poles and spikes are a must, we got off trail about a mile from summit, but it just makes for more of an adventure! We took the backside of the mountain to the top, another off trail moment. We reached summit and it was clear and sunny with several PCT and other day hikers enjoying everything San Jacinto had to offer. We also met up with some amazing hikers who we had talked with online the day before and then we all descended the mountain. We attempted to find the ski hut, got turned around, decided to just go down and ended up finding the ski hut!

This was the first time Brendan and I had glissaded and we really enjoyed it. Once we got off the mountain it was smooth sailing the rest of the walk back. The creeks next to the trail were flowing beautifully and we saw flowers once we were back on the ranger station/tram side. Bring extra socks as my feet got a bit wet, and also that climb going back up to the tram from trail?! It was quite the experience getting to ride the tram back down at dark and just to ride it in general. Very great hike, probably our best (so far!) this year! And also our first of the year over 10,000’