Red Tahquitz, Grey Tahquitz, South Peak, August 18

For a long while, the desert divide portion of the Pacific Crest Trail has been closed due to past fires. Finally, it has opened up and gave us the opportunity to climb several peaks previously closed. John, Uwe, Kevin and I took off to bag Red and Grey Tahquitz, and South Peak.

Trails were good up from Humber Park in Idyllwild. We crossed paths with 2 women who were trying to climb Red Tahquitz but they were attempting a cross-country route. On the trail there were the noxious odors, but the hiking was good as long as you weren’t downwind from the odor. At the saddle between Red and Grey Tahquitz, we had a choice of right to Grey or left to Red. John had taken the left and Uwe and I thought the right was the best first attempt. I climbed a rock ledge thinking it led to a ridge walk up to Grey’s. When I returned, I did not see the guys pass me, so I thought they decided to go left to Red. I couldn’t see or find them, so I continued up Red. Still no luck. They were lost. 😉 I then proceed back down and contoured to Grey and there they were safe and sound having lunch.

We headed toward South Peak and ran into the two women again. They had missed Red, so we got them back on track. The next few miles of the PCT really showed the horrible damaged the fire had done to the area. Very rugged territory. After South Peak we headed home make a 17.3 mile and 4170 elevation gain day.

(Click on any image to enlarge/start slide show)

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