Fuller Ridge to San Jacinto Peak

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Trip info

Distance17.2 mi
Elevation gain5,500 ft
Route typeOut & back
Duration8 hr
CruxClass 2
Quality7/10

Peaks bagged

1
Castle Rocks
HPS
8,600 ft / Prom. 280 ft
2
Fuller Ridge Peak
8,462 ft / Prom. 302 ft
3
San Jacinto Peak
HPS
HPS★
SPHP
CoHP
10,839 ft / Prom. 8,319 ft
4
Folly Peak
HPS
10,520 ft / Prom. 80 ft
HPS
Hundred Peaks Section
HPS★
Hundred Peaks Section Star Peaks
SPHP
State Park High Points
CoHP
County High Points

Trip report

Starting along the southbound PCT from Fuller Ridge Trailhead.
The trail clings to the icy, north slope.
Passing the saddle between Castle Rocks and Fuller Ridge Peak, the latter of which I would climb on the return.
Entering the Mount San Jacinto State Park Wilderness.
One of several fallen trees along the PCT.
Leaving the PCT for Castle Rocks. A vague use trail climbs the icy north slope.
Contouring toward the summit.
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, top-center.
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.
The trail bends south toward the junction with Deer Springs Trail.
Climbing a small spur.
View back down the spur.
Continuing toward the Deer Springs Trail junction.
View back toward a creek crossing.
Taking a sharp left to join Deer Springs Trail.
From the junction, it's 3.1 miles and about 1,700 vertical feet to the summit of San Jacinto Peak.
Along Deer Springs Trail.
Entering Little Round Valley. The trail passes a number of campsites.
Starting up San Jancito Peak's west slope.
The trail contours toward a small, southern saddle.
Arriving at the saddle.
Keep north at this trail sign for the summit.
Class 2 just below the summit.
View back toward Long Valley. The tram station is visible on the distant ridge, right of center.
San Jacinto Summit. View northwest.
Starting the traverse along San Jaincto Peak's northwest ridge toward Folly Peak.
Easy cross country travel.
Contouring along a small prominence along the ridge.
View back toward San Jacinto Peak.
Folly Peak summit ahead.
Folly Peak summit. View west. Castle Rocks and Fuller Ridge Peak are visible in the distance (right).
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 clusters of manzanita to navigate around.
Back on the PCT, headed back to the trailhead.
Leaving the trail to the climber's right at the saddle between Castle Rock and Fuller Ridge Peak.
Steep, loose 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 large boulders on the top-left.
View back.
My route veers to the climber's right to avoid crossing this dense manzanita patch.
View back.
Fuller Ridge Peak's summit block comes into view. It looks insurmountable from the east. However, there's a Class 2 weakness on the west side.
Class 2 weakness on the west side of the summit block.
Final 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 poking out, left of center.

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