4/13/2014 Mt San Jacinto

Sunday the 13th we decided to drive up to Idyllwild to do some hiking in the San Jacinto Mt area.  The drive up  was in the clouds, you could hardly see around you.  It was cool driving through the clouds.  We got just outside Idyllwild and the the sun popped out and we were then above the clouds looking down on them.  I really would have liked to take some pictures of it put there were no pull outs to stop at.  We arrive at Humber Park (6800 ft)  about 9am and got ready to hike.  It was chilly up there so we both wore jackets. It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the Saddle (8200 ft) where other trails take off.  Unfortunately there was a big fire through the area last summer so some of the trails are now closed due to the burn area.  We have a snack and start hiking up the trail to the top of San Jacinto which is 10,804.   I don't make it very far before the altitude gets to me an I have a bad headache so we turned around and started back down.  Stopped at the saddle again and had lunch. Going down hill is so much easier than going up.

Once back at the car we drive into Idyllwild to eat again.  We had a nice lunch/dinner at Joann's cafe.  Always good food here.  After we eat I am still feeling bad so we go back to Hemet.

Idyllwild is on of our favorite places to go, there is a nice campgroud at the edge of town so you can walk to town for dinner and there is a great little wine bar that we like to go to.
This is a beautiful area and if you ever get the chance to come to Idyllwild I promise you will love it too.  There are a lot of great hiking trails in this area and just a beautiful place to sit and relax.  It is one of our favorite places to go in Cal.

What a great day

We just had the nicest day.  Didn't do much this morning but then decided to drive into San Diego and go to REI.  Spent most of our time just looking around, Joe finally found rain pants he liked and I found a great sun hat. We also bought gators for hiking in Oregon and Wash, just to name a few of the rainy places we will be.
I also found a great two person backpacking tent that weighs only 3lb 7oz.  It is the MSR Hubba NX, a little pricey at $389.  It is very roomy and packs up really small.  Unfortunately I couldn't talk Joe into it.  I guess one of us has to be practical.

We then to Belmont park at Mission Bay.  This used to be our favorite place to go in CA.  We were very disappointed to see that our favorite place to eat, Cane's, is no longer there.  In it's place they are building Brew with a View.  We were looking forward to eating at Cane's, oh well I guess that is life.  We ate at the Wavehouse and watched people trying to learn to surf using a wave machine.  That was fun watching then try then fall and the waves pull then all up and over the top into a small pool. The little kids were the most fun to watch, especially the girls that didn't like getting water in their face.
The food was very good, We are still so stuffed that I think we will skip dinner tonight.

Back home again I take a nap and Joe goes for a walk.  He just got back and is telling me about the old dirt road he was walking down when something caught his eye and there was a 4ft diamond back rattle snake.  He watched it for a minute then the snake went on down the hill.
Speaking of Diamond back rattlers, the last night we were at Lake Skinner our neighbors dog kept barking the I heard theres a snake.  I figured it was probably a garter snake so went to see if I could help.  Well it was a baby diamond back with only one rattle.  He did not want to be moved from his spot under their table. They finally got it over to the grass using a stick when Joe came out side and went and got our bucket.  The guys managed to get it into the bucket and take it out away from camp.  The neighbors two little girls were so exited they had to go with their dad to let it go.  This was their 1st camping trip what memories they well have.

It looks like it is going to be another beautiful evening to sit outside with a beer and a nice fire.
You all have a good night!!!!

EMAIL Option

If you would like to receive an email when we post a blog just scroll down to the bottom of the blogs and you will see this,  just add your email and you will receive a notice when a we have posted a blog.

Follow by Email

This morning we drove to Campo, the southern terminus for the Pacific Crest Trial.  Our friends Alan Underkofler and Nicole Durfee will be hiking the whole 2600 miles in the next 5 months. Yes you read that right 2600 miles from Mexico to Canada.  It was fun to be at the start of their journey.  We wish them happy trails with no problems and only happy memories.