SoCal Hiking and Peakbagging » Misc

-2011 Highlights and Photos-

Jeremy — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:55:10 +0000

I did not get outside in 2011 as many times as 2010 but I still had quite a few great hikes. I was able to visit Death Valley for the first time as well as the Sierra twice. I visited the San Gorgonio area twice during Calendar winter with one summit. I took quite a few trips to Anza Borrego and visited Canyon Sin Nombre for the first time.

Unfortunately I did not summit a 14er this year, this will be a goal for next year. The highest elevation reached in 2011 was Trail Peak 11,605 ft.

Mt. San Jacinto

New Peaks (Sorted By Elevation)
-Trail Peak
-Telescope Peak (DPS)
-Rogers Peak
-Mt. Harwood (HPS)
-San Ysidro Mountain (HPS)
-Granite Mountain (HPS)
-Wilson BM (SDC)
-Pinyon BM (SDC)
-Bell Bluff (SDC)
-McGinty Mountain (SDC)
-Fortuna Mountain (SDC)

Repeat Peaks
-San Gorgonio X2
-San Jacinto
-Mt. Baldy (HPS)
-The Thimble (SDC)

2012 Goals
-Two New 14ers (Including White Mountain Peak)
-Jepson Peak North Ridge
-Rabbit and Villager Peaks
-Baldy Bowl (If we ever get snow)
-Snow Creek on San Jacinto (Again if we ever get snow)
-A Few Peaks in Anza Borrego
-Charleston Peak NV

Some Of My Favorite Photos Of The Year

San Gorgonio

Granite Mountain

The Ridge to San Bernardino Peak

Snow Near the Summit of Mt. Baldy

Telescope Peak

Jepson Peak

Carrizo Overlook

San Jacinto Summit Looking South

-Valley of the Moon-

Jeremy — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:04:10 +0000

Date Hiked: 11-5-2011

Trip Report:
Valley of the Moon is one of the premier rock climbing destinations in southern California. There are plenty of established routes and it is never crowded, it is also a great place to hike and explore. This area contains the point at which San Diego county, Imperial county and Mexico meet.

Valley of the Moon

Photo by Bruce

After leaving San Diego we drove an hour and a half east to the valley. The road to get in requires a 4×4 and is rough the entire way in. After making it in the valley we began to explore a few of the rock piles throughout the valley. It was a cold and windy day but enjoyable, here are some photos of the trip:

Valley of the Moon

Photo by Bruce

One of the Climbing Walls

Photo by Bruce

Photo by Bruce

Bruce and Myself

Photo by Joe

The Trucks

Photo by Bruce

Photo by Joe

Looking Over the Valley

Photo by Joe

Descending Into the Valley

Photo by Joe

Target Practice

Photo by Joe

Photo by Joe

Looks Like a Face

Photo by Joe

Climbing Down the Rocks

Photo by Joe

Rock Formations

Photo by Joe

Photo by Joe

Standing on Top of the Rock Formation

Photo by Joe

Valley of the Moon Panorama

Photo by Bruce

GPX Track Download

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-Momyer Fire-

Jeremy — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:13:21 +0000

5/17 Update: Vivian Creek Trailhead is now open, Momyer is still closed

This fire started on May 8th around 10:30AM and has burned over 150 acres. There are currently over 300 fire personal assigned to this fire. This fire has prompted the closure of both the Momyer and the Vivian Creek Trails. I had planned on hiking Dobbs and Jepson peaks from Vivian this weekend but I guess I will have to make other plans.

Momyer Fire Map

Image Courtesy of https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ftp/InciWeb/CABDF/2011-05-09-13:31-momyer/picts/pict-20110511-195033-0.jpeg

Informational Links
www.rotwnews.com
www.inciweb.org
www.kbhr933.com
www.socalmountains.com

-Mt. Laguna Snow-

Jeremy — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 02:05:45 +0000

This past weekend the San Diego mountains finally got snow. I took a drive over Sunrise highway to see the snow. It only took 45 min to get to Sunrise highway from San Diego. The snow started around 5,000 ft and got heavier the higher I drove. The roads were not too bad and were mostly clear all the way to Julian. The snow stopped about 5 miles north of the Mt. Laguna store. I could see Anza Borrego through the clouds the few places along I road where I stopped. Here are a few of the photos from the drive.

Consistent Snow Along The Highway

Roads are Icy

Garnet Peak Trailhead

Further North Along Sunrise Highway

Granite Mountain in the Clouds

Stonewall Peak

Anza Borrego

-2010 Hiking Highlights and Photos-

Jeremy — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:33:51 +0000

It has been a busy year filled with new and old peaks and places. I was fortunate to visit the Sierra 3 times (although the first time was at the expense of a transmission). I climbed the Baldy bowl for the first time. I also visited many new places throughout southern California. The focus for 2011 will be the Desert Divide and San Jacinto mountains area. I also hope to hike the remainder of the San Diego county HPS peaks I have not yet hiked.

White Benchmark

New Peaks (In Order of Hike Date)
-White Benchmark (SDC)
-Bonny Benchmark (SDC)
-Indianhead (DPS, SDC)
-Sombrero Peak (DPS, SDC)
-Oakzanita Peak (HPS)
-Middle Peak (HPS)
-Mt. Baldy (HPS)
-Cowles Mountain (SDC)
-Pyles Peak (SDC)
-The Thimble (SDC)
-Tahquitz Peak (HPS)
-Pine Mountain (SDC)
-Jean Peak (HPS)
-Mt. Democrat (CO 14er)
-San Bernardino Peak (HPS)
-Mt. Russell (CA 14er)
-Mt. Carillon (SPS)
-Martinez Mountain (DPS, HPS)
-El Cajon Mountain (SDC)
-Indian Hill (SDC)
-Blue Angeles Peak (County HP)

Repeat Peaks
-Mt. Baldy X5
-San Jacinto Peak X2
-San Gorgonio Mountain
-Mt. Whitney

2011 Goals
-San Gorgonio and Jepson Peak from South Fork
-Snow Creek on San Jacinto
-Villager and Rabbit Peak
-Telescope Peak
-9 Peak Traverse San Bernardino Mountains
-At least two new CA 14ers, including White Mountain Peak
-Mt. Harwood
-Toro Peak
-Santa Rosa Mountain
-As many peaks in the Desert Divide as possible
-Break 50 on the SDC list (Currently at 26)

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the year

View From Whale Peak

Clouds Near Indianhead

Near the Top of the Baldy Bowl

Independence Peak

Split Mountain

Myself on the Mountaineers Route on Mt. Whitney

Jean and Cuyamaca Peaks

Snow Creek on San Jacinto from San Gorgonio

Mt. Democrat Summit

Mt. Baldy Above the Clouds

Mt. Russell Summit

El Cajon Mountain

Mt. Whitney

-Weather Update, Lunar Eclipse, Etc.-

Jeremy — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 18:46:37 +0000

The NWS is forecasting a series of storms moving through California over the next week. In the Sierra they have posted a winter storm warning for areas above 7000 feet. They are forecasting between 5 and 10 feet of snow could fall over the next week. In southern California the snow level is expected to remain above 9000 feet. This means only a few areas will see any snow fall and any snow which remains below this level will likely melt.

San Gorgonio and San Jacinto December

On Tuesday December 21st there is a Lunar Eclipse which is visible in southern California. The total eclipse begins at 11:41 P.M. on December 20th. The forecast for Monday night calls for a chance of rain. Hopefully there will be some clearing so it will in visible in southern California.

NASA Lunar Eclipse Page
Dec. 21st Lunar Eclipse Info

-Blue Angels Peak, Valley of the Moon-

Jeremy — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 03:18:53 +0000

Imperial County HP

Elevation: 4,548 ft.

Date Hiked: 11-26-2010

Trip Report:
Blue Angels Peak is the Imperial County High Point, located just north of the Mexican border and just east of the San Diego county border. This peak is also located next to one of the best bouldering areas near San Diego, Valley of the Moon. We decided to park in the Valley of the Moon and Hike to the peak. This way we could also explore the valley when we got back.

Blue Angels Peak

This was another hike with the Omega Group and included myself, Bruce and Maria. We arrived in the Valley of the Moon around 9:00 AM and started hiking shortly after. The first task was to explore the mine on a hill just east of Blue Angels Peak. There was an old road we followed all the way to the old mine shaft.

Blue Angels Peak from the Trailhead

Boulders Near the Trailhead

First Mine Shaft

Second Mine Shaft

Valley of the Moon From the Mine

After exploring the mine we continued up the ridge and found the border fence. This fence provided a general guide to the peak. We followed the fence until we gained the actual ridge.

Barbwire Fence Marking the Border

Looking Down the Ridge

From the top of the ridge we could see the border extending out to the east across Imperial County and out west toward the mountains.

Border Toward Arizona

Border Toward the Pacific Ocean

From here we dropped down off of the ridge and found the monument marking the border between the U.S. and Mexico. We took some time and found this as well as a benchmark.

Border Benchmark

Border Monument

After exploring the monument we made our way toward the peak. It was an easy scramble to the summit. The summit was windy and cold and the views were excellent in every direction.

The Southern End of the Laguna Mountains

The Summit Benchmark

The Ridge We Came Across

The Ridge From the Mine

Myself on the Summit

After a short stay on the summit we started to descend. We took a more direct route back to the car through a dry wash next to the ridge we had gone up.

The Ridge We Descended

Further Down the Ridge

Once back at the car we decided to explore the remainder of the valley. We followed the road as it looped around the Valley of the Moon.

Rock Formations Near the Trailhead

The Road Leading to the Valley

We chose one of the rock formations to climb. We made it about 3/4 of the way up and could not find an easy way to the top. Instead of going to the top we circumnavigated the formation. After this we found the road and headed back to the car.

The Rock Formation we Circumnavigated

Looking Toward Mexico

Interesting Rock Formation

A Few of the Many Excellent Bouldering Spots in this Valley

Another Rock Formation

One Last Look at the Valley

After exploring the valley we drove up to a communications antenna and took a few photos. This antenna is near the standard trailhead for people hiking Blue Angels Peak. Along the way we saw a few people hiking to the peak. We also saw one person shooting targets across a small valley.

Communications Antenna

Looking Toward the Salton Sea

Interstate 8

This was a great hike and a unique way to both explore the valley and hike this peak. I am looking forward to exploring this area further in the future.

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-Aerial Photos-

Jeremy — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:41:35 +0000

On the flight from San Diego to Denver I had a window seat and was able to take some photos of the mountains around southern California. I could recognize most of the prominent peaks and some of the less prominent ones. It was amazing to see the mountains I have hiked from this vantage point.

San Diego Bay to Cuyamaca Peak

Our flight path took us on a northeast path through San Diego County, this gave me a perfect vantage point for taking photos. The photo below shows I-15 winding past Little Black Mountain. The flat ridge past this is Palomar Mountain. The two large peaks on the right and the left and San Jacinto and San Gorgonio.

San Gorgonio San Jacinto and Palomar Mountain

This photo is a panorama of the mountains in southern California. It stretches from San Diego Bay to San Gorgonio. From left to right the mountains are San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, Toro Peak, Rabbit Peak, and Cuyamaca Peak.

SoCal Peaks Panorama

Here is a close up of Toro Peak. The range in the bottom portion of the photo is Mission Trails Park. The range in the central left part of the photo includes Iron Mountain and Mt. Woodson.

Toro Peak

Otay Mountain is in the bottom right corner of this photo. This mountian is close to the Mexican border. In the top portion of the photo is Mt. Baldy.

Otay Mountain to Mt. Baldy

This photo shows Santiago Peak, the Orange County highpoint, and Mt. Baldy, the LA county highpoint.

Santiago Peak and Mt. Baldy

Here is a photo of Palomar mountain and Mt. Baldy. The 200 in. Hale Telescope can be seen on Palomar Mountain.

Palomar Mountain and Mt. Baldy

This is a photo of San Gorgonio and San Jacinto.

San Gorgonio and San Jacinto

-Sierra Photo Drive-

Jeremy — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:57:11 +0000

I made a drive to the southern Sierra for the second time in a week. I had to pick up my car which was in the shop getting a new transmission. Last Friday on my way to Onion Valley campground I hit/was hit by a rock and terminated my transmission. A week later I had a new one and needed to make the 300 mile drive to pick up the car. I though this would be a good opportunity to take some photos of the southern Sierra and post them.

Most of the couloirs I saw had lots of snow. The east side of the range had snow above about 8-9,000 ft. The snow in the Inyo Mountains had mostly melted.

The Beginning of the Owens Valley

Olancha Peak 12,123 ft.

Keynot Peak 11,102 ft.

Mt. Inyo 10,975 ft.

The Southern Sierra

Lone Pine Peak 12,944 ft.

-Sierra Trip-

Jeremy — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:47:57 +0000

Although there was no peakbagging (except all 3 Inyo Crators which are not exactly peaks) this was a great trip for photography. We left on the 19th and got back to San Diego on the 25th. During this time we were able to hike all over Yosemite, Mono Lake, Convict Lake and June Lake. Below are some photos from the trip:

Laurel Mountain

Mammoth Mountain, The Minerates, Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak

Mono Lake

June Lake

Yosemite Falls

El Capitan

Mt. Whitney

Mt. Langley