We started this hike around 5:45am. Made it to High Creek around 9:30am and spent about an hour at High Creek eating “lunch”, re-filling our water, and resting before the last 3.5 miles up to the summit. Left High Creek around 10:45am and reached the summit around 1:30pm.
Our initial plan was the spend the night on the summit and then go across the Divide Trail over to San B. With that being said, we each had 5-6 Liters of water leaving High Creek and we grossly underestimated how exposed the last 2 miles to the summit are. I'm not sure if it was the heat, tiredness, or altitude, but we both drank 1.5-2 Liters between High Creek and the Summit. Also, being on the summit around 1:30pm we had to continue drinking as the sun was hot with no shade until closer to 5:30pm. After cooking dinner, we only had 1.5 Liters each and decided that was not enough to safely go the 12ish miles to Limber Pines where we could refill.
Now the summit, it was gorgeous! Loved the 360 views, especially of San Jacinto. The sunset was beautiful but honestly the sunrise was even prettier. So cool to see the sunrise from above the clouds. At night the temps dropped into the 40's but we were lucky and only experienced mild winds. Packed up camp after sunrise and were on our way back down by 6:45am. That first steep mile from the parking area was not to bad on the way up in the dark with our bodies fresh and full of adrenaline, but oh man, on the way back down it killed our knees. Lastly, on the last .25 mile from the trailhead to the parking lot we were walking (probably not paying close enough attention) and accidentally walked up on a rattlesnake. Got within 2 feet or so before my husband yelled snake and jumped backwards. It was coiled up in an aggressive position but never rattled. No harm done just be aware. Loved the experience, probably going to give it some time before we do it again haha.
Responses
I saw your tent up there! Sounds like you got lucky with the wind. The folks we passed going up said it was windy the night before.