Charlie getting our wilderness permit.
Me and Charlie shortly into our hike.
Round Valley
Salton Sea
Tahquitz Peak
Charlie having lunch at Wellman Divide.
Charlie and Red Tahquitz.
Charlie and I with Cornell Peak
Charlie making tracks.
Selfy
Charlie chugging along Deer Springs Trail.
Almost there Charlie.
Pacific Ocean 60 miles (100 km) away.
San Clemente Island 120 miles (200 km) away.
Chipmunk on San Jacinto Peak.
Diamond Valley Lake
Jean Peak
Charlie on San Jacinto Peak.
Survey Marker #2
Charlie and I on San Jacinto Peak.
Charlie and the Emergency Shelter.
Level spot on the side of the mountain.
Charlie checking in at Ranger Station.
San Jacinto Peak - 10,834 ft (3302 m)
Donny Mac
Author: Donny Mac (ID: 16079)
Posted: 2013-11-04 20:38 GMT+00:00
Mileage: 13.15 km
(1 rating)
Tags: Travel, Photography, Hiking, Landscape, Adventure, California, San Jacinto Mountains, San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto Wilderness, Tahquitz Peak, Deer Springs Trail, Diamond Valley Lake, Mount San Jacinto State Park, Red Tahquitz, San Jacinto Peak, Santa Catalina Island, Terminal Station, Wellman Divide, Long Valley/Round Valley Trail, Round Valley
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The Mountain Maulers take on their biggest peak, Mount San Jacinto Peak, 10,834 ft (3302 m). Charlie and I took the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up to 8500 feet. From there we made our way to San Jacinto Peak and back on an 11 mile hike.

Charlie and I were on the first tram at 10:00. The tram ride takes about 10 minutes and has a curious rotating floor, allowing you to get a 360 degree view without actually walking around on the tram. After reaching the top, we made our way to the ranger station to get our wilderness permit. Day use permits are free.

Permit acquired, we began our hike on Long Valley/Round Valley Trail. We reached Round Valley in about one hour and continued on another mile to Wellman Divide before taking an half hour lunch break.

After lunch we hiked along Deer Springs Trail also refered to as Peak Trail between Wellman Divide and San Jacinto Peak. The first mile wasn't too bad, but as we reached 10,000 feet the thinner air was beginning to have an effect on both of us who live near sea level. Persistance got us to the peak just after 3:00.

We rested and hydrated at the peak for about half an hour. Two other hikers reached the peak just as we were leaving. With the sun setting fast, I did my best to set a fast pace back to the tram. Out of shape and condition, descents often plague me with rolled ankles and leg cramps. This hike was no exception.

Fortunately my boots saved me multiple times on both ankles and despite nagging leg cramps, I kept us moving as much as possible with only a few short breaks on the 5+ mile hike back to the tram. Another 15 minutes and we probably would have needed headlamps, but we made it without them.

After checking in, the last few hundred meters is a 150 foot climb to the tram, which after an 11 mile hike is a little brutal. We're still more than 8000 feet above sea level. The tram ride down at night was SPECTACULAR! The view of the valley below was like a massive carpet of lights.

Charlie getting our wilderness permit.
Me and Charlie shortly into our hike.
Round Valley
Salton Sea
Tahquitz Peak
Charlie having lunch at Wellman Divide.
Charlie and Red Tahquitz.
Charlie and I with Cornell Peak
Charlie making tracks.
Selfy
Charlie chugging along Deer Springs Trail.
Almost there Charlie.
Pacific Ocean 60 miles (100 km) away.
San Clemente Island 120 miles (200 km) away.
Chipmunk on San Jacinto Peak.
Diamond Valley Lake
Jean Peak
Charlie on San Jacinto Peak.
Survey Marker #2
Charlie and I on San Jacinto Peak.
Charlie and the Emergency Shelter.
Level spot on the side of the mountain.
Charlie checking in at Ranger Station.
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