Spring Snow on Jean Peak

3/27/12  Another Spring storm meant one last chance to head for the snow in what had otherwise been a very dry season. This time my Dad joined me a couple days after the storm for a return trip to Long Valley.
DSC00958 Heading out of Long Valley in the late morning after taking the tram up from Palm Springs. It's amazing how much snow had melted since I was up here a week ago....
Heading out of Long Valley in the late morning after taking the tram up from Palm Springs. It's amazing how much snow had melted since I was up here a week ago.…
DSC00959 The first trail junction and creek crossing. Makes for an interesting comparison picture with this same picture from a week ago.
The first trail junction and creek crossing. Makes for an interesting comparison picture with this same picture from a week ago.
DSC00963 We stayed on the real trail a little longer than I had the previous weekend, but before long we were following cross country ski tracks again on a shorter,...
We stayed on the real trail a little longer than I had the previous weekend, but before long we were following cross country ski tracks again on a shorter,…
DSC00964 Dad posing in the forest.
Dad posing in the forest.
DSC00966 The snow conditions were great for most of the way. Firm enough not to need snowshoes but soft enough not to be icy.
The snow conditions were great for most of the way. Firm enough not to need snowshoes but soft enough not to be icy.
DSC00968 Dad powering along with Cornell Peak in the background. One great advantage of being off the actual trails is getting to see an entirely new view like this one....
Dad powering along with Cornell Peak in the background. One great advantage of being off the actual trails is getting to see an entirely new view like this one.…
DSC00970 Things get steeper as we approach 9500'. You can see the valley floor and Palm Springs now some 9000' below.
Things get steeper as we approach 9500'. You can see the valley floor and Palm Springs now some 9000' below.
DSC00974 Big trees in the snow.
Big trees in the snow.
DSC00977 We're just below the saddle between Jean Peak and San Jacinto Peak now and the last 500' of gain or so is pretty brutal.
We're just below the saddle between Jean Peak and San Jacinto Peak now and the last 500' of gain or so is pretty brutal.
DSC00980 Dad taking a breather. We're above 10,000' now and the thin, cold air combined with the steep climb in soft snow is tough work.
Dad taking a breather. We're above 10,000' now and the thin, cold air combined with the steep climb in soft snow is tough work.
DSC00981 Judging by the tracks, there have only one pair of skiers through here, and no other humans, since the last snow.
Judging by the tracks, there have only one pair of skiers through here, and no other humans, since the last snow.
DSC00984 Another look down at the valley floor from just below the saddle.
Another look down at the valley floor from just below the saddle.
DSC00991 Almost to the saddle. You can see San Jacinto peak in the background. We're post holing knee deep in places here. It's definitely a workout.
Almost to the saddle. You can see San Jacinto peak in the background. We're post holing knee deep in places here. It's definitely a workout.
DSC00992 A look south from the saddle where you can see what I believe are Diamond Valley lake and the Skinner Reservoir near Hemet.
A look south from the saddle where you can see what I believe are Diamond Valley lake and the Skinner Reservoir near Hemet.
DSC00997 Made it to the saddle right at our chosen 4:00pm turnaround time. Dad poses triumphantly here just below San Jacinto peak.
Made it to the saddle right at our chosen 4:00pm turnaround time. Dad poses triumphantly here just below San Jacinto peak.
14-barry san jcnto 3-12-sm Dad's picture of me at the saddle.
Dad's picture of me at the saddle.
DSC00995 Here's a look at a mini-peak very near Jean Peak. Dad decided to stay at the saddle while I scampered up to the top. I just had to bag some sort of peak for the...
Here's a look at a mini-peak very near Jean Peak. Dad decided to stay at the saddle while I scampered up to the top. I just had to bag some sort of peak for the…
16-barry on jean peak-sm It was a bit tricky to figure out how to actually get on top of those rocks, but I made it. The wind was howling up there, where it was almost dead calm at the...
It was a bit tricky to figure out how to actually get on top of those rocks, but I made it. The wind was howling up there, where it was almost dead calm at the…
DSC01001 A view of the San Jacinto summit with San Gorgonio in the background from my spot near Jean Peak.
A view of the San Jacinto summit with San Gorgonio in the background from my spot near Jean Peak.
DSC00998 Another view from the peak.
Another view from the peak.