Jean Peak For Peak Baggers New and Old

Jean Peak, 10679 feet

We summited Mt. San Jacinto and Miller peak on August 17. It was a perfect cool clear day and an exhilarating adventure for all hikers including the leaders Jack and Ross. If you missed this beginning hike to bag the 5 summits over ten thousand feet you don't want to miss this one, Jean. There will be opportunities in the future to catch up with the first two. Not a peak bagger? That's OK. It's not for everybody. But,if you have never hiked to the top before, this is your chance to get there with qualified guides and other like minded hikers. Even if you have done it before this hike will almost certainly be different, using new routes with breathtaking views and unforgettable hidden territory on the mountain.

We will begin our hike on the Round Valley Trail. Depending on the wishes of the group, we will either remain on the main trail to the summit or veer off trail to alternate routes, potentially cutting two miles off the ascent. Via the off-trail route, we will ascend to Tamarack Meadow and the junction with the Round Valley Trail. We will discuss our options. If anyone wants to stay on the main trail, we will do that. Otherwise, we will veer off to take the next route, Ranger Overland, and ascend to the main summit trail about 800 vertical feet below the summit of Jean Peak. A single veto will take the easier route and stay on the main trailp a long travers and one switchback to the saddle at Mt. San Jacinto. We turn south and follow the ridge to our destination, Jean Peak!

From the top of Jean we will have a leisurely lunch and visit, picking out the landmarks in every direction and sharing stories. Some of the landmarks are Mt. San Gorgonio, Mt Baldy in the San Gabriel mountains, the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, the Salton Sea, Mt Charleston in Nevada and more!

We will then begin our descent back to the Mountain Station, primarily on the main trail, although there is the option of taking the Miller Cutoff on the return as well. At the switchback for Miller Peak, we will go off the trail for a short distance, allowing everyone the opportunity to scramble up to the summit of Miller Peak [10,400’]. We will also stop briefly at one of the best overlooks and snacking spots on the mountain, just under Miller Peak.

Join us for a memorable adventure in the stunning Mt. San Jacinto Range!

OPTIONAL READING:

Some fun facts about Miller Peak: See photo below

Miller is a short scramble off a sharp bend in the trail and is thus usually past by unnoticed by most hikers on their way to San Jacinto Peak. It is also for this reason that it offers those looking for a refreshing diversion to the monotony of the trail and a reprieve from the crowds that can gather on San Jacinto Peak.
A short scramble at the bend in the trail will bring you to a sharp precipice adorned with two plaques dedicated to the peak's name sake, Boy Scout Leader and "champion of boyhood” along with being the founder of the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside. When Miller Peak was dedicated shortly after his death, over twenty Boy Scout troops ascended the highest peaks in Southern California and simultaneously lit bonfires. Imagine getting that ‘fire permit’ today!

Other famous names atop San Jacinto include Cornell Peak [one of the three Iives along with Harvard and Yale]. U.S.G.S. geologist Robert Hill named the 9,750-footer for his alma mater, Cornell University. Apparently, he didn’t think Hill Peak sounded impressive enough.

U.S.G.S. topographer Edmund Perkins Jr. named Marion and Jean peaks — 10,362 and 10,670 feet, respectively — for his girlfriends in 1897. Marion taught school on the Morongo Indian Reservation. But Jean, whom he met in Northern California, eventually won his heart. They married in 1903. Marion could theoretically claim the last laugh, however, because an entire ridge was named after her in 1967.

As for San Jacinto itself, it is the Spanish version of Saint Hyacinth, a Polish Doctor of Sacred Studies (1185-1257) who worked to reform women’s monasteries in his native country.

DETAILS: Click on all blue highlighted text for important help and information.

• Event Date and Time: October 12 at 8:45 a.m. ( for instructions on purchasing Tram tickets and arriving on time)
• Meet at: The Long Valley Ranger Station. Proceed from the ground floor terrace of the Mountain Station down the ramp to Long Valley. At the bottom turn right and follow the trail to the picnic table at the Ranger Station.
• Difficulty level: Strenuous. 12-Miles out and back, 2,400 ' of total elevation gain. Base Elevation: 8,350’ – Peak Elevation: 10,670’, there is 10% less oxygen than sea level. You might consider spending some to acclimate at elevation before the hike, especially if you are unfamiliar with hiking at high altitude.
• Hiking Time: about 7 hours including breaks for rest, water, snacks, lunch and awe!
• Cost: ( for instructions on parking and purchasing Tram tickets and arriving on time) Remember, receive a 20% discount on Tram tickets.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Each qualified individual must register. Qualified means you have taken the earlier 10 Essentials Class and Hike program or other strenuous rated hikes and are approved by the leader to take this more demanding hike, primarily due to the distance covered and higher elevation.
• Important: You are required to sign a liability waiver for all NHA hiking events. Please click , read carefully, print, sign and take it to hike leader, Jack, upon arrival at the trail head. If you have not done that in advance, the hike leader will have a copy which you must sign before departing on the hike.
• Take the 8 a.m. tram car to arrive at the meeting location on time. Please you need to know in order to arrive on time.
• Bring water and energy snacks We recommend a minimum 3 liters of water per person, trail snacks, lunch and a daypack carrying what is normal on a day hike including the 10 essentials, an extra layer and rain protection gear.
• Age Anyone under the age of 18 (minimum age 14) must be accompanied by a legal guardian
• Proper hiking attire i.e. hiking clothes with extra layer, hiking shoes/boots with GOOD TREAD. Please don’t wear boots/shoes that are close to the end of their tread life.
• Hiking backpack or knapsack that fits well hugging your back for stability.
• Hiking poles are strongly advised for safety! Definitely worth it!
• Sunscreen, Sun Hat even at elevation, our hike will be ‘warm’ and we will be exposed to the sun throughout the day.
• We depart from the Long Valley Ranger Station at 9 AM and return around 4:00 PM

Don't miss out on this opportunity to refine your skills and enjoy breathtaking views from the summit. See you there!

If you are unable to make it, please try to text me as soon as possible so we don’t needlessly wait for you on Saturday morning. My cell is 954.931.6414.

If you have any questions please contact leader Jack Pensegrau at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Host or Publisher Mt. San Jacinto Natural History Association