San Gorgonio Wilderness

[Cyanide41]

I was talking about doing this when there was little to no snow. My snow shoes come in the board form and only go down hill.

**edit** nevermind I see NEJ was talking about this weekend. Isn't it supposed to snow/rain this weekend? Be carefull out there James

[Vtec44]

Yeah, it's snowing at the Mill Creek Ranger Station, and that is only about 4000ft above sea level according to my GPS. I love hiking in the cold though, but won't venture too far out as I'm not familiar with this area.

[NEJ]

We have a volunteer group in Idyllwild called the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit, RMRU. These guys are extremely good at finding lost people in the mountains and rescuing there a**ess. Other gov. agencies lend support with choppers and stuff, but the RMRU does the drop from the sky, mountain climb, search in the middle of the night in the snow storm in high mountains type stuff.

I read Town Crier stories every week in the winter and some in the summer about RMRU exploits. They are amazing what they do and how well they can find people in a short amount of time in a very rugged wild place. A lot of people think they can hike up or down the mountain below the tram from Palm Springs. It is not for those who lack technical rock climbing skills and they try and do it in winter. Then the people get stuck and use their cell phones. RMRU is called and they rope down and drag the people out with helicopters.

Just a word of warning. Know your limits and pray that RMRU will come get you if you don't. In other words, don't screw up in the back country unless you are in Riverside County.

NJ

[n2h2o]

sounds like you went,.,, how was/is it?

[Vtec44]

I got to the Mill Creek Ranger station at around 8:30, picked up my day hike wilderness permit, got to about Momyer Trail head and turned back. There was too much snow and ice on the road for my car to even make it to my trail, Vivian Creek. The snow covered the sides completely, and the road was very slippery. I don't have 4wd, or chain for the truck, so I didn't want to risk getting stuck in the heavy snow. The snow is definitely too much to hike up the top, but possible to some of the picnic areas. Oh, 4x4 is recommended. I'll definitely revisit the area when it's a bit less snow. Oh, the person at front desk of the Mill Creek Ranger office was young and inexperience. If you have questions beyond hiking and picnic areas, I'd suggest you ask for a field Ranger.

[NEJ]

It rained about 4 inches in Idyllwild (5,300'). I drove up to Humber Park to see how high the snow was and it started at about 6,000'. Mill creek is down low so it must have been raining when you were there.

NJ

[Vtec44]

Yep, it was raining all the way up to Momyer trailhead and probably Vivian Creek too. Visibility was horible for driving.