Idyllwild

Thursday, we did a spur of the moment trip up to Idyllwild for two nights.  We are trying to get in condition for our Grand Canyon backpacking trip and thought a long steep hike at elevation would help.

Our cabin turned out to be better than expected, since it was a short notice reservation, and modest rate.

Our cabin had a nice living room...   ok, I'm telling a Trump, this is actually the lodge of Silver Pines where we stayed.

The pretty grounds with a large koi pond was the perfect place to relax.  Staring at koi is one of the most relaxing things one can do.

We wanted to test ourselves on the trail Jerry says is the steepest hike to the top of San Jacinto Peak, the Marion Mountain Trail.

The trail was steep, and hard to follow at times due to pine needles, snow, and fallen trees.

We liked this very large boulder with it's porthole.

Snow, hmmm, we hadn't really thought about it.  We didn't have poles or snow shoes, so things were looking a little dicey.  We didn't see another soul on the whole hike, and there were no other cars where we had to park.

It was pretty, though, with temps in the 50's, and no wind.  When looking up at the mountain from Idyllwild or coming in from the west, there was practically no sign of snow.

We made it up to the junction with Seven Pines Trail, an elevation gain of about 2,500 feet, but far short of reaching the peak.  The snow was changing from a slippery, icy crust, to softer snow that we began to fall through.  We were unprepared, so decided to have lunch and head back down.

The trail is under there somewhere.

Heading back down to lower ground, you can see the trail is pretty vague, and did I say steep?

We had fun back near the trail head butt glissading.

Wheeeee!!!

We did have a couple easier hikes during our stay, and used them as an excuse to eat a lot of greasy, salty food, aka Lumber Mill Bar and Grill - yum!!!