Fuller Ridge to San Jacinto Peak

November 3rd, 2024 at 7:29 AMMount San Jacinto State Park (California State Parks), CA

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Info

Distance17.2 mi

Elevation gain5,500 ft

Duration8 hr

CruxClass 2

Route typeOut & back

Quality7/10

Vehicle to trailhead4x4

RegionSan Jacinto Mountains

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Starting along the southbound PCT from Fuller Ridge Trailhead.

Passing the saddle between Castle Rocks and Fuller Ridge Peak, the latter of which I would climb on the return.

Entering Mount San Jacinto State Park.

One of several fallen trees along the PCT.

Leaving the PCT for Castle Rocks. A vague use trail climbs the icy north slope.

Approaching the crest of Fuller Ridge. Castle Rocks is on the top left.

Castle Rocks's Class 2 summit block. The register is below on the left.

Castle Rocks summit. View east toward San Jacinto Peak.

View southwest.

View west toward Fuller Ridge Peak.

Back on the PCT, climbing a set of switchbacks.

View of San Jacinto Peak just before crossing over to the south side of Fuller Ridge.

The trail loses elevation to bypass the cliffs ahead.

View back toward Castle Rocks.

Veering south toward the Deer Springs Trail junction.

View back.

Continuing toward the Deer Springs Trail junction.

Sharp left to join Deer Springs Trail at the junction.

From the junction, just a few miles to the summit of San Jacinto Peak.

Along Deer Springs Trail.

Entering Little Round Valley. The trail passes by a number of playfully named campsites.

Starting up San Jancito Peak's west slope.

Contouring toward the Peak Trail junction at a saddle.

Approaching the saddle.

Trail sign at the Peak Trail junction. Only 0.3 miles to the summit of San Jacinto Peak.

Starting up Peak Trail.

Class 2 just below the summit.

View back toward Long Valley. The Palm Springs tram station is barely visible, right of center

The highly frequented San Jacinto Peak summit. View northwest.

Traversing San Jaincto Peak's northwest ridge toward Folly Peak.

Easy cross country travel.

Contouring a small prominence along the ridge crest.

View back toward San Jacinto Peak.

Folly Peak summit ahead.

Folly Peak summit. View west toward the much lower Castle Rocks and Fuller Ridge Peak.

View southeast toward San Jacinto Peak.

View northwest toward San Gorgonio Mountain.

Descending Folly Peak's north slope in a direct line to Deer Springs Trail. Some manzanita patches to navigate around.

Rejoining the PCT, returning to the saddle between Castle Rocks and Fuller Ridge Peak.

Fuller Peak Ridge visible on the right.

View back toward San Jacinto Peak, the afternoon sun illuminating it's craggy, northwest face.

Leaving the trail at the saddle between Castle Rock and Fuller Ridge Peak.

Climbing a steep, pine needle-covered slope to gain Fuller Ridge Peak's east ridge.

View back toward Castle Rocks and San Jacinto Peak.

Gaining the ridgeline.

Aiming for a gap between the pinnacles on the top-left.

View back.

Dense manzanita patch, bypassed to the right.

View back.

Approaching Fuller Ridge Peak's summit block. It appears insurmountable from the east. However, there's a Class 2 weakness on the west side.

Class 2 weakness on the west side of Fuller Ridge Peak's summit block.

Class 3 move to gain the summit block.

Fuller Ridge Peak summit. View east toward San Jacinto Peak.

View north toward San Gorgonio Mountain.

View west. Black Mountain is visible, left of center.