Decided to head up with the So Cal Hikers and Peakbaggers to Dry Lake this past Saturday.

S Fork Trailhead:

Chilly morning, snow everywhere.

But by Poopout Hill, not a soul had a jacket on.


San Gorgonio Mountain (11,502'/3506m) was sure looking good.


The trail was well tracked up to S. Fork Meadows, but only lightly tracked to Dry Lake. We of course headed up the "winter route" (straight up the drainage) instead of risking the exposure that the actual trail entails.



Ever wonder about this rock? It kind of sits out there in the middle of everything all by it's lonesome. There aren't a lot of rocky walls for it to fallen from. I suspect it's a glacial erratic.


Almost there.


Dry Lake. Really beautiful day. Lake Peak is seen beyond the lake.


Looking SSE from the outlet of Dry Lake.

San Gorgonio Mountain looms large above Dry Lake.



People unfamiliar with the mountains of Southern California are really missing out on some grand landscapes. San Gorgonio Mountain (left) and Jepson Peak (right). Big Draw lies between the two summits.



No lack of water...

...if you have the right tools.





Heating up.

About time for some lunch.


Regrettably, it's time to head for home.


On our return, we pass through South Fork Meadows

which is a most lovely spot.


By afternoon, the trail is really well packed.


Nearing the trailhead, we cross this avalanche zone. :shock:


The clearing of the avvy zone affords a nice view of the Sugarloaf.


Horse Meadows is looking good.



Nearing the end of my hike, I look back for one last fond look at the SGW. It's been a great day.


Thanks for coming along.

HJ

Great country, HJ. Thanks for the pics. I didn't even break a sweat!

The photos got my brain going -- funny how memory is triggered. The areas that look subalpine have lots of deciduous trees. So similar, and yet so different, from my beloved Cdn. Rockies!

Someday I'd like to have a closer look. Your pics are a much better ad for California than anything coming out of L.A. (No offence.)

Wow! That Area is Just AWESOME in the Winter!It has been Eons since I Last visited San Gorgonio,& It was in September,Hot & Rugged!All that Snow,Makes it look Really Clean&Smooth!I Thank the Stars for Your Photo-Zen Prowess,Pan Tuscano from LaBrea Bakery & Green Tea for Lunch on The Dry Lake,Simply Delightful!Thanx Jim,For Showing us a Not-so Brown Piece of California Gold,sans Huell Howser!:)

No offense taken.

Now, "shhh." Don't let the secret out: the greater Los Angeles area is ringed with mountains, some of which are over 11,500'/3500m high. I can go out, provided that I'm willing to work a bit, for days at a time without seeing a soul. And this within two hours drive time from downtown Los Angeles.

Really, Southern California isn't a bad spot for those who enjoy the back country. Yep, a lot of people, but if you know where to go...

I love the Canadian Rockies. I've spent some great times up in Banff National Park hiking and cross country skiing.

HJ

Rich, you're cracking me up.

Seriously though, you haven't seen a place until you've seen it in all four seasons. Give the San Gorgonio Wilderness another visit; it's worth the trip.

HJ

Ok, I'll bite.

What kind of stove were you using?

I have forgotten just how much snow you all can get. Haven't been there since I was a kid.

Superb photos.

We are getting a boat load of snow in the Cascades right now.

Blake

www.outdoorquest.biz

www.outdoorquest.blogspot.com

Hi, Blake,

That's an Optimus Crux which is just a little upright canister stove. Same general class as the well known Pocket Rocket. At 3 oz, it's a nice little stove for a day trip. It's not a stove for stormy weather, nor is it a stove for cold weather, but for an occasion where the worst that would happen if your stove went down is that you wouldn't have a cup of tea, it's a fine stove.

The pot is a 1.5L Primus LiTech tea kettle, which is just a bit big for that type of stove, but fine if you're careful.

HJ