As a lifelong SoCal resident San Jacinto peak is omnipresent. You can’t hike a peak, approach a local airport for landing or drive a freeway in San Bernardino / Riverside area without see the jagged peak stabbing the sky. Until last Saturday, Oct 19 the tip of that mountain's mighty spear was a straight out mystery to me except  from an airplane window. I was excited for the opportunity to hike this iconic mystery that has serves as a SoCal totem.

The Trail I choose for the climb, based on review was off the Palm Springs Tram station – and I made a Palm Springs weekend of it by arriving Friday and staying at the PS Hilton until Sunday. This way I could incorporate some fun and relax time for my non-hiking wife into the weekend and as I obeyed my calling to Mount San Jacinto.

About 10 weeks ago I circled the Weekend of the Oct 19th as a cool weather weekend for the hike and plunked a hotel reservation in place. Then I sort of forgot about as the busy summer unwound. About two weeks ago I picked up the “trail” and the hotel rate actually dropped so I made a new reservation and canceled the old – a benefit. With a week to go I realized I would need to purchase a tram ticket and when I went on the web site there were only 4 tickets left on the 9am Tram and the earlier ones had already sold out. So, if you’re doing this hike make sure you get your tram ticket well in advance.

With the 0900 start and already being in PS I could even take advantage of the hotel breakfast – a real breakfast is rare on hiking day – kind of nice but a couple hours later I wasn't sure a full breakfast was such a good idea. The PS Hilton was just a short easy drive to the Tram Station, I arrived 15 minutes ahead of time and got right into the que for the rid up. And yea besides the $26 Tram ticket it is $8 to park. After arriving at   the top, I pulled out my Hike Guy aid’d directions and got started, down the steep ramp to the Ranger Station filled out the permit and got started. It was a solo hike and although there were plenty of hikers and back backers I was on my own most the way. Seemed like there were a couple of early trail junctions I had to pay attention to and then it was pretty straight forward – through Round Valley, up to Wellmans Divide then the sharp right and up, up, and away to the peak. Not sure what altitude sickness is but on this last section I felt pretty “gummy” in my legs and dull ache in my jaw – nothing too bad at all and once I saw the last junction it all went away and  excitement took over and I was ready to climb. The last section of boulder scramble after the Hut was a blast – so much fun as you go rock to rock and the views blow in.

At the top I achieved a live long goal of making it to Sky Station San Jac and now forever more when I see this majestic peak and know I have been on top! Thanks Six Peak of Challenges for facilitating this hook up! About 500 yards from the top oon my way back I took  a pretty nasty tumble – and before I could even dust myself off other hikers came to my aid with helping hands and band aids! Hikers are the best people!!

It was nice trip back, could enjoy the high-altitude meadows and deciduous colors. I was so happy with the ascent that I felt like I glided back — until the I had to go up the steep ramp at the tram station. Once back got right in the que and tram back to the parking lot and back to the Hilton. Great Hike; 10.3 miles, just under 3 hours up and just over 2 hours back – with 12 minutes at the top (should have stayed longer) for a 5hour 22min hike time.