Apache Peak

 We hiked up to Apache Peak on the PCT in the San Jacinto Wilderness today. We started at the Spitler Peak Trailhead. The was an 11 mile round trip hike with about 2,600' of gain.
We did not see any other hikers on our way up and at Apache Peak, we would see 8 hikers on our way down.

 This trail wonders around towards the base of Spitler Peak.

 Lots of ceanothus in bloom along the lower trail.

 Watching the sun rise above the mountains as we hiked through the boulder fields.

 Lots of wildflowers along the trail.

 I love the smell of Grape Soda Lupine

 Some of the manzita were taller than me.

 We saw a dead rattlesnake on the trail.

 We were happy to have four small water crossings as the trail continued around Spitler Peak. Nice and cold, to help us cool off.

 Part way up the trail, Lake Hemet in the distance.

 There was a fire here in the summer of 2013, which closed the trail for several years.

 Waterfall in the distance

 The trail joined the PCT, view to the north

 view to the south, Spitler Peak

 We headed north towards Apache Peak, love the bright paintbrush.

















Apache Peak to the north

 On top of Apache Peak at 7,567'

















Pano to the north: San Jacinto Peak among others

 Pano to the south

 We saw lots of lizards along the trail, here are two:

 We hiked back down the trail, I turned around near the trailhead to see where we had hiked up to today.










Some of the wildflowers we saw in bloom along the trail

  

  

  

  

 

Tahquitz Peak via Devil's Slide

 To avoid the heat in Cochella Valley, we headed up to the San Jacinto Wilderness to hike up to Tahquitz Peak via the Devil's Slide Trail. We didn't make it to the fire lookout and summit of Tahquitz Peak from this direction due to slick snow on a steep slope with exposure. We did head up the ridge on the north side of Tahquitz Peak up to 8,800 ft for great views.

 Starting up the Devil's Slide /Trail

 View of Lily Rock from early on the trail

 Suicide rock a bit further up the trail

 There were several streams across the trail today, from this one, we could see Suicide Rock

 We appreciated the shade this trail provides.

 Further up the trail, view from Lily Rock to Suicide Rock.

 some lovely boulders

 After 2.5 miles and 1,600 ft of gain, we reached the Saddle Junction and headed south along the Pacific Crest Trail for 1.4 miles.

 This is a gentle section of the trail gaining only 400 ft over 1.4 miles There were many snowy patches to cross here

 a nice view of Red Tahquitz Peak along this section of the trail.

 At the turn off to Tahquitz Peak

 We followed the "trail" for about 500 ft, evaluating the snow coverage.

There were no recent footsteps after this and we knew that soon the trail was going over an area with great exposure. Like other hikers this morning, we opted not to continue on to Tahquitz Peak.

 Where the trail meets the PCT, we could see a route going up to the high ridge on the north east side of Tahquitz Peak was relatively free of snow. We headed up 400 ft to the top of this ridge.

 Great boulders up on this ridge

We worked our way around the various rock formations towards Tahquitz Peak.

 Soon we could see Tahquitz Peak and the fire lookout on top.

 There was a nice spot along the middle of the ridge where we sat and enjoyed the views with our lunch.










Pano looking south:

 Pano looking west: Mt San Jacinto in the distance

 looking down toward Lake Helmet

 There were several lizards running around on the ridge












Enjoying the views as we headed back down the trail.