Up at 4:00am, out of the house just after 4:30am, at the trailhead just after 7:00am, and hiking by 7:30am. The trailhead is a couple miles up a rough dirt road…
The trail below 9000' was beautiful green meadows, soft spongy trail, with only one human being sighted.
There was still plenty of water flowing and small creeks to cross.
The early morning sun filtering through the trees below Fish Creek Saddle.
Not quite Wellman's Cienega at San Jacinto, but beautifully green nonetheless.
A look at Fish Creek Meadows at about 8100'.
There were plenty of great tree pictures to be had along this trail.
There were plenty of snow plants along this trail as well. This one may have been the biggest snow plant I've ever seen.
We started to get our first panoramic views just below Fish Creek Saddle.
Our first sight of the San Gorgonio peak. It doesn't look that far away, does it?
We made it to Fish Creek Saddle at about 9800'. It's starting to become clear that at our current pace, we're going to be in for a very long day. Somehow, there…
There were a lot of fascinating trees, gnarled by either the elements or disease. This one had a spiral growth pattern running up the entire height of the tree.
Dad posing at the Mine Shaft Saddle junction. The long, gentle ascent has made for happy going so far.
A great view from the Sky High trail above Mine Shaft Saddle.
The remains of a military aircraft that crashed into the side of the mountain in 1953. There is wreckage strewn down the slope for several hundred feet.
Another look at the plan wreckage.
The official memorial plaque at the wreck site.
Dad posing next to another cool looking tree.
We hit the switchbacks on the Sky High trail at around 10,000'. The going gets tougher, but the views are great.
What looks like a sandy beach as we approach the summit.