Author: Donny Mac (ID: 16079) Posted: 2011-06-18 17:53 GMT+00:00 Mileage: 7.45 km
Tags: Travel, Photography, Hiking, Landscape, Adventure, California, Riverside County, Deer Springs Trail, Lily Rock, Mount San Jacinto State Park, Pacific Crest Trail, San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto Mountains, San Jacinto Wilderness, Strawberry Junction, Tahquitz Peak, BACKPACKING, Strawberry Valley, Idyllwild
Views: 3356
I started this backpacking trip hoping to summit San Jacinto Peak, 10,834' (3302 m). Unfortunately my trip was cut short by a critical equipment failure, the sole of my left book delaminated. Fortunately I was able to make a temporary repair with duck tape which managed to get me back to the trailhead safely. Also, my geo-tracker battery died, giving me incomplete data. The deer flies, apparently bad in June, were easily fended off with bug spray. All said, I had a good trip in the splendors of nature with some awesome views!
Google Translation I started this backpacking trip hoping to summit San Jacinto Peak, 10,834' (3302 m). Unfortunately my trip was cut short by a critical equipment failure, the sole of my left book delaminated. Fortunately I was able to make a temporary repair with duck tape which managed to get me back to the trailhead safely. Also, my geo-tracker battery died, giving me incomplete data. The deer flies, apparently bad in June, were easily fended off with bug spray. All said, I had a good trip in the splendors of nature with some awesome views!
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Starting my trip late in the day.
Google Translation Starting my trip late in the day.
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Spectacular view even down at this elevation.
Google Translation Spectacular view even down at this elevation.
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Mount San Jacinto State Park Wilderness. PERMIT REQUIRED, even for hiking. BEWARE of MOUNTAIN LIONS.
Google Translation Mount San Jacinto State Park Wilderness. PERMIT REQUIRED, even for hiking. BEWARE of MOUNTAIN LIONS.
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Nature's colorful blanket. The red flowers are commonly referred to as 'Paintbrush' or 'Indian Paintbrush'. I not sure about the rest of them.
Google Translation Nature's colorful blanket. The red flowers are commonly referred to as 'Paintbrush' or 'Indian Paintbrush'. I not sure about the rest of them.
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The Deer Springs Trail has a moderate grade with plenty of elevation gain.
Google Translation The Deer Springs Trail has a moderate grade with plenty of elevation gain.
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Suicide Rock Junction.
Google Translation Suicide Rock Junction.
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Tahquitz Peak, 8720' (2657 m) and Lily Rock tower above Humber Park and Devil's Slide Trailhead.
Google Translation Tahquitz Peak, 8720' (2657 m) and Lily Rock tower above Humber Park and Devil's Slide Trailhead.
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Alpine wildflowers are relatively common along the trail this time of year up to about 7200'.
Google Translation Alpine wildflowers are relatively common along the trail this time of year up to about 7200'.
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A fat western fence lizard that has probably been gorging on deer flies.
Google Translation A fat western fence lizard that has probably been gorging on deer flies.
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More flowers. They appear to be some sort of lupine.
Google Translation More flowers. They appear to be some sort of lupine.
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Plenty more flowers. They seem to enjoy showing off along the trail.
Google Translation Plenty more flowers. They seem to enjoy showing off along the trail.
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Scenic panorama looking toward the south.
Google Translation Scenic panorama looking toward the south.
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Tahquitz Peak and Lily Rock.
Google Translation Tahquitz Peak and Lily Rock.
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The terrain is rocky, but the trails are well maintained.
Google Translation The terrain is rocky, but the trails are well maintained.
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Every ten or twenty steps is another picture perfect moment. It was a real struggle not to stop and take pictures constantly.
Google Translation Every ten or twenty steps is another picture perfect moment. It was a real struggle not to stop and take pictures constantly.
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Simply beautiful even without a panoramic view.
Google Translation Simply beautiful even without a panoramic view.
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Sometimes the trail "cuts" straight through the rocks.
Google Translation Sometimes the trail "cuts" straight through the rocks.
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Strawberry Junction is the junction of Deer Springs Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. The name "Strawberry" comes from the major creek and valley going through the town of Idyllwild, getting their names from the wild strawberries that grow along the creek.
Google Translation Strawberry Junction is the junction of Deer Springs Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. The name "Strawberry" comes from the major creek and valley going through the town of Idyllwild, getting their names from the wild strawberries that grow along the creek.
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This is me minutes before departing Strawberry Junction with my duck taped boot.
Google Translation This is me minutes before departing Strawberry Junction with my duck taped boot.
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Orange County Saddleback Mountain. The taller peak on the left is Santiago Peak and the shorter peak to the right is Modjeska Peak.
Google Translation Orange County Saddleback Mountain. The taller peak on the left is Santiago Peak and the shorter peak to the right is Modjeska Peak.
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My campsite at Strawberry Junction. My sausage breakfast was cooked on the big rock next to the tree.
Google Translation My campsite at Strawberry Junction. My sausage breakfast was cooked on the big rock next to the tree.
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Good morning. Welcome to my campsite.
Google Translation Good morning. Welcome to my campsite.
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Marion Creek barely provides a trickle even this early in the year, but is absolutely critical for drinking and cooking.
Google Translation Marion Creek barely provides a trickle even this early in the year, but is absolutely critical for drinking and cooking.
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Entrance to Strawberry Junction Campground.
Google Translation Entrance to Strawberry Junction Campground.
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Morning moon overhead.
Google Translation Morning moon overhead.
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Morning moon above the sunrise shadow of the mountain on a blanket of clouds. O.C. Saddleback is visible in the distance on the extreme right of the photo.
Google Translation Morning moon above the sunrise shadow of the mountain on a blanket of clouds. O.C. Saddleback is visible in the distance on the extreme right of the photo.
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The town of Idyllwild and Strawberry Valley.
Google Translation The town of Idyllwild and Strawberry Valley.
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Beautiful view from my campsite.
Google Translation Beautiful view from my campsite.
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Morning moon peaking through the rocks and the trees.
Google Translation Morning moon peaking through the rocks and the trees.
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The view out of my tent.
Google Translation The view out of my tent.
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Strawberry Junction campsite at sunrise.
Google Translation Strawberry Junction campsite at sunrise.
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Still a little chilly at this hour.
Google Translation Still a little chilly at this hour.
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Deer Springs Trail can be a little rugged in spots. Just take your time, one step at a time. Trekking poles are useful.
Google Translation Deer Springs Trail can be a little rugged in spots. Just take your time, one step at a time. Trekking poles are useful.
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Scenic overlook.
Google Translation Scenic overlook.
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Lovely trail just for a hike.
Google Translation Lovely trail just for a hike.