We started this hike on a blustery January day, but the wind turned out to be a non-factor for most of the hike; however, the summit was WINDY! Hold on to your hat! It was our first time to this part of San Diego County, and the hike did not disappoint. The landscape was unspoiled, green chaparral followed by beautiful conifer forest at higher elevation. The first couple of miles I put my head down and just ground out the elevation gain slowly. After that the trail was undulating through gorgeous forest. A lot of downed trees and branches from recent storms blocked part of the trail, but all were easily navigable. The snow appeared about halfway up, and in the shady portions snow and ice made for slow careful steps. I was grateful to have hiking poles, but they didn't save my husband from having one slip on slick ice. The summit was worth the hike – views in every direction including snow-capped San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, and Mt. Baldy, plus Cuyamaca, Mt. Palomar and even the Salton Sea were visible! A great hike for solitude, we only saw about 10 other hikers for the almost 5 hours we were out there.