Wow! What a way to finish off my 2024 So Cal Six Pack of Peaks Challenge.

It started off with a surprise encounter with my friends James and Yani at the Tram Station. Followed by a run in with the Super Hiking Twins and their parents also at the tram station.

My original plan was to just take the tram up and follow the normal route up to San Jacinto Peak. However, as most of my friends know, I'm not content with normal. So, I headed off on the Sid Davis trail to summit a lesser-known peak, Cornell at 9,750 feet. Getting to Cornell Peak was relatively easy. Not a lot of snow, and what there was, was hard and easy to travel on. It was however, mostly off trail travel with the snow cover. The final climb to the summit was a great little rock scramble. Class 2/3 climbing for a short distance.

After Cornell Peak, I headed down a few hundred feet and across the slope of a draw toward Miller Peak. At this point the snow started getting a bit deeper and the snow began to fall from the sky. After fighting the snow on the slope and post holing ankle and knee deep at times, I finally made it to the saddle near Miller peak. From here my choice was to get on the Summit Trail and follow it up to the summit or go straight up the east slope of San Jacinto. I chose the east slope and quickly regretted my decision. I was off trail, and the snow was untouched. I found myself post holing up the slope. Mostly up to mid-calf and mid-thigh. It was tough going for that final push to the summit.

Once at the summit, I was all alone (of course I was all alone all day). The snow fall and wind were picking up, so I quickly headed down to the hut where, once again, I ran into the twins and their parents. We chatted for a few minutes inside the hut, before they headed out for their descent while I took another 15-minute break from the snow and wind. It was almost “white-out” conditions.

I took the normal route down. Summit Trail to Welman's and then back to Long Valley. The snow was coming down the entire way down. It was very powdery on top and hard underneath, so no post-holing or slipping on the way down. Although, once I neared the tram station (last 3/4 mile down), the snow did become a bit slushy and the snow fall change to sleet and rain/snow mixed. I brought micro-spikes and my Kahtoola Hiking Crampons, but never pulled them out.

I wore my Obos Bridger Snow Boots and didn't need any traction devices the entire day.