Hiking on Mt. San Jacinto

Spring may be late, but its on its way.
Photos from between 8500' and 9000' on San Jacinto
Near Palm Springs California, June 1998


The snow melt has expanded the creek.	Below 8700 the trail is mostly clear, except for an occasional snow drift..

The elusive snow plants are popping up in a bumper crop. I've seen three already. Not bad considering I've only seen a dozen or so since I starting hiking up here in the 60's.	Manzanita plants are blooming at 8500', while just a 1000 feet above they are still in snow. This should extend the bloom into well into August.

7/1/98 Trail update - The trail between the tram and Round Valley is clear. This is a great time to come up, as the creeks are full and the waterfalls are the best they have been in a long long time. As readers know, this is a beautiful area, but with all the water, it is truly exceptional. Round valley is green and spring is now here. Temp at tram station a nice 70 degrees.

6/1/98 Trail update - The trails in Long Valley and near the Tram station are all open and snow free. This is a very good time to visit because not too many people know that the snow has melted. In wilderness areas, notably in the higher elevations, El Nino left an incredible snow pack on the mountain, which is melting and feeding the streams.. We encountered deep snow pack above 8700', with drifted snow packed 6 feet deep, in June. By July 1, 1998 it was melted, and the trails clear. The temperature at the tram station was a nice 55 degrees. We have been concentrating our hiking in the mostly snow free areas below 9000' along the willow creek trail and in long valley.

Wildflower Update	http://www.calphoto.com:80/wflower.htm
Email Bob Ulrich	bob@bobulrich.com
Hiking page	Link to Bob Ulrich's Hiking Page
San Jacinto Page	Bob Ulrich's San Jacinto Page
Palm Springs Tram	http://www.pstramway.com