San Jacinto, you saucy lad.

Oh. My. Goodness. Steep doesn’t even begin to describe this relentless incline.  Though I’m in shape, this hike made me feel like I might puke up a lung.  We had to stop every 20 feet to catch breath and recover from the pounding of our heartbeats in our heads.  On the plus side, it’s not a crowded trail, and it’s gorgeous from each vista, with no burn scars anywhere. There were several clear streams and springs, many of which were iced over or decorated with icicles.  I’d recommend starting at 6:30am, no later, unless you enjoy a good night hike.  It took us 10 hours round trip, and bc I lost time hunting for a wilderness permit—hint: get one online or in town before you head up the mountain—we started at 8:30am, which meant we had two hours of downhill descent in the dark. Plus side, there’s no critters and the stars are glorious.