South Fork

5/13/18  One of the bigger surprises of a trail that I have had recently. I was worried about it being hot and crowded since the trailhead was so easy to get to. It turned out to be cold, wet, and wild, with beautiful, green, almost invisible trail for most of the way.
IMG_1102 Definitely didn't need to worry about it being a hot day. It was 46deg at the trailhead with a light drizzle and very low visibility.
Definitely didn't need to worry about it being a hot day. It was 46deg at the trailhead with a light drizzle and very low visibility.
IMG_1105 I really had zero idea what to expect on this trail, so it had constant surprises! Here dropping into the valley where the South Fork of the San Jacinto River...
I really had zero idea what to expect on this trail, so it had constant surprises! Here dropping into the valley where the South Fork of the San Jacinto River…
IMG_1108 Almost down to the valley floor.
Almost down to the valley floor.
IMG_1113 East Fork of the San Jacinto. It's not flowing much here, but it's quite a bit of water.
East Fork of the San Jacinto. It's not flowing much here, but it's quite a bit of water.
IMG_1118 Just past the river is the South Fork backpacking camp, about 1.5 miles in from the trailhead. This evidently is the typical destination, because the trail just...
Just past the river is the South Fork backpacking camp, about 1.5 miles in from the trailhead. This evidently is the typical destination, because the trail just…
IMG_1119 After quite a bit of searching, I found what I thought might be a trail leading out of the camp.
After quite a bit of searching, I found what I thought might be a trail leading out of the camp.
IMG_1121 The
The "trail" leaving the valley and heading-up to the ridge. It took a lot of squinting to stay on track. There was a lot of tree fall, some of it pretty big. I…
IMG_1123 It didn't look like anyone had been up here so far this Spring. The blades of grass were untouched. There were just faint paths where the grass probably doesn't...
It didn't look like anyone had been up here so far this Spring. The blades of grass were untouched. There were just faint paths where the grass probably doesn't…
IMG_1125 There was almost zero trail tread width, so it was actually tricky walking in places. There was almost 2 solid miles of this. The perfect trail!
There was almost zero trail tread width, so it was actually tricky walking in places. There was almost 2 solid miles of this. The perfect trail!
IMG_1128 You know the trail doesn't get much use when it's covered with wildflowers.
You know the trail doesn't get much use when it's covered with wildflowers.
IMG_1129 Starting to open to up to some nice views of the valley below.
Starting to open to up to some nice views of the valley below.
IMG_1132 I can't get enough of the lush green. This is pretty rare in SoCal, especially in such a dry year.
I can't get enough of the lush green. This is pretty rare in SoCal, especially in such a dry year.
IMG_1136 And then all of a sudden boom, out of the green and onto the ridge. The sign would have been useful in several places down below.
And then all of a sudden boom, out of the green and onto the ridge. The sign would have been useful in several places down below.
IMG_1138 Much different up here, but still great views. I've never seen this area before.
Much different up here, but still great views. I've never seen this area before.
IMG_1149 Wide, expansive views with no sign of humanity.
Wide, expansive views with no sign of humanity.
IMG_1148 You can see Lake Hemet there in the distance.
You can see Lake Hemet there in the distance.
IMG_1150 Ultimately, the trail ends at a fireroad, which was my official turnaround spot. Now I had to rush back down and hope I could find the trail again on the way...
Ultimately, the trail ends at a fireroad, which was my official turnaround spot. Now I had to rush back down and hope I could find the trail again on the way…
IMG_1159 A little better lighting on the valley on the way back. You can see the trail winding down to the bottom on the other side.
A little better lighting on the valley on the way back. You can see the trail winding down to the bottom on the other side.
IMG_1161 Back down to the river, this time with sun and no fog.
Back down to the river, this time with sun and no fog.
IMG_1170 The view that I missed in the fog earlier in the morning. It's a great little valley and further proof that it always pays to explore new trail!
The view that I missed in the fog earlier in the morning. It's a great little valley and further proof that it always pays to explore new trail!