TR: PALM SPRINGS TRAM, Frontside and Back.

[Ottime]

Warning: Few ski shots are contained in this trip report. This is less about porn, and more about adventure.

PART I: Jean Peak via the Palm Springs Tram. April 15th, 2012. The Front Side.

During a pretty poor snow year for Tahoe, one only needed to look south to feel good about what little we had. Southern California has nothing. That is, until mid March rolled around and storms starting heading south and slowly filling in the slopes. Right before our family trip to Palm Springs, a solid storm hit Tahoe, and a good portion of it moved south. One to two feet was being forecasted for San Jacinto State Park above 9000 feet. PMs were sent, beta collected and plans laid. Piggity agreed to meet me at 2500 feet, at the top of Tramway drive, with an plan of hitting up the 8AM tram.

6AM is coffee time. Fresh snow as seen from our resort porch is Palm Desert. Just 8000 feet up.





Imagine if it snowed to the valley floor. In classic Ottime style, we missed the first car. 8AM tram about halfway up its journey.





The top station is about 150 feet above the valley floor. This is the last time we will see our goal for several miles. Jean Peak with a fresh coat.





We put skins on right off the tram ramp. Long Valley had 2-14 inches depending on aspect. Piggity crosses a creek.





It was warm, but not hot. As long as we stayed out of the sun, the morning was cool, and the snow was powdery, if a bit heavy.





Round Valley, two miles in, and about 400 feet up, we get our first close up view of the peaks. Jean Peak is on the left.





In classic style, the topo map is back in the hotel. After checking out a few maps and talking to a hiker, we head a bit too far left.





The valley views are stunning. I later learn we are on the north ridge of Mt. Marion. Salton Sea is off to the right.





And then there was this off the backside. Tasty looking lines and nicely filled in. Filled this away.





Back on our way, we decided against skiing down and changing our route. Instead, we tackle the southeast face of Jean. It was adventure skinning at its best. Sorry, no pics, because it was steep, thin and slippery. As we got a bit hight and started to wrap around the east side of the peak, we could see the southerly face of 10,834 foot Mt. San Jacinto. Just on the other side is Snow Creek.





It was a windy storm the days before.





Finally, as 2:15, we top out on Jean Peak. 10,670 feet. The top was a bit thick, but once into the trees, things lightened up. Piggity heads down





We pulled up to to a point, trying to find the best snow. Long Vally from near the top. The tram station is atop the hump in center.





The best snow seemed to be to our left. But we headed right into corn, before ducking back into the trees.





The skiing is not steep, but it is otherwise great tree skiing on the NE face of Jean. Piggity demonstrates.





And throws up a bit of snow in the process.





Oddly enough, the deeper into the trees, and the further down we went, the lighter things got. Must be that cold valley air.





Piggity shows off that PM Gear rocker. Now a more neutral mount, and it would have been golden.




Satisfaction. This smile was before the slog back to the tram.





All in all, it was a great trip. Now that we know the area, storm skiing up there sounds like fun. Or an overnight camp trip, so we can hit the faces before things warm up too much. Regardless, that place is a gem up there. The next day, I was sipping cocktails by the pool

[Ottime]

PART II: Tahquitz Peak via Humber Park and Devil's Slide Trail. April 18th, 2012. The Back Side.

So, this part is much more of a beta thing. That snow packed peak we saw on Sunday got me doing some research. After looking at some topo maps, and poking around the internet, I determined it was Tahquitz Peak (8846') which you can access via a Humber Park (6500'). The Devil's Slide Trail climbs to 8000' in 2.5 miles. From there you can continue on summer trails or just hike the ridge.

From the parking lot, the west arm of the cirque ends in Tahquitz Rock, which looms above the parking lot.





The summer trail had patches of snow, but was otherwise dry. I started out in hiking boots. I was unable to get a partner for this hike, so I was not sure if I would ski the face. But I headed up in hopes of getting a better view. Unfortunately, the trail wraps away from the peak, and the only time I could even see the snow above, the angle was less than perfect. A view of my line. Sort of. On the left.





Regardless, this was a beautiful hike. And the ski equipment on my back could end up being just some extra weight. At the very least I knew I would enjoy some views and do a little meadow skipping up to. Or, I might actually ski some steeps in Southern California. Or, I could just enjoy the vistas. Suicide Rock and Diamond Valley Lake.





At just about 8000 feet, I thought there was enough snow to put on skis. I was right. From there, the snow was continuous. Once I reached the upper ridge line, I turned right off the summer trail in hopes that I could get a better view of the ski line. At this point. I was still unsure if I would make my descent. The face looked steep, peppered and thin. And I was not sure how far down the snow would go on the north face and in the canyon. My first good view sure did get me excited.





The ridge ski was mostly up, but it had some downs. But I still needed a better view of what was going on. A little higher up, and a little further around the bend, I finally get to see the upper 500 feet of my chosen line. Again, things look good. But, by now, I am getting nervous. I mean, if everything comes together, I could be skiing this steep backcountry line solo





The final push to the top required a quick descent and traverse across a cleft in the ridge. Then a final push up. Hear, the summer trail wraps across the north face of the slope. It was still pretty firm and steep. So I headed up the shoulder, and almost took a wrong turn. It took a moment for me to realize that the ridge actually takes a sharp turn from N-S to E-S alignment. And there was some pretty spicy rock scrambling to get to my entrance. Originally, I thought I'd take my lunch in the Fire Lookout, but a razor ridge with thin snow on a 50' rock scramble, combined with ski boot and solo hiking, got me thinking I had gone far enough.

The snow was supportable and the NE facing snow was perfectly corned. A few pits on the way up showed a thin snow pack, but a stable snow pack. So I headed in. The first 1200 feet were perfect steep corn. Sure, I had to hop around a few rocks near the top, but it was good. I can only imagine what it would be like with a partner and another meter of snow. The next 900 feet was tentative skiing. Three turns followed by a traverse, by three turns, by some fallen leaf. Some where around 6800 I transitioned to hiking boots and put the skis on my back. The bushwacking was epic. Think steep, deep canyon steep with willows, dead fall and old growth. The car was a welcome site.

My line was the lookers right side of the second line from the left.





In short, this was a great adventure as well. If you live down here, and can score this area with say at least a 2' snowpack at 6500 feet, it could get very good. Both access and descent are through avy terrain, with the top feeling well over 40 degrees, and the exit being a solid terrain trap. On that note, you can avoid the creek canyon, by traversing left, across the bottom of the chutes off the top, and skiing the treed northeast facing slope under Tahquitz Rock. A worthy tour in my estimate. Sure beat working on my sunburn around the pool.

[AKbruin]

Nice TR. Weird to think of Palm Springs backcountry in April, where, according to the Internet, it's 100 degrees at this moment.

[~mikey b]

excellent work, lad!

[Rico in Flag]

Rad!
Really unique ski experience!

[hoarhey]

way to get after it
nothing like a plan coming to fruition, with some surprises thrown in
NICE!

[Piggity]

Great times the other day. One of the coolest adventures and some fun turns as a reward. Hit me up next time your in the area again, we'll tag a few more of those peaks.

[ColoMike]

Well played! Looks great considering it is a furnace. Who knew that was there! Thanks for sharing!

[leftfield]

interesting TR, thanks!

[FreakofSnow]

FKNA. Wish I would have done that one when lived down there.

[PowerWhore7]

Wow, super interesting TR, nice work! Did you guys travel along the PCT at all? I hiked the PCT in 2010 and all those pics are bringing back some fond memories of being lost in the snow in non-gortex trail runners on Tahquitz, then being pinned down in our tents for literally 48hrs while 60mph winds and driving snow shredded what was left of my tent. Good times for sure...

[Meadow Skipper]

! I was driving through Palm Springs earlier this week and looking up at the mountains, marveling at all the snow up there and speculating about lines. And here you were skiing them.

Very well played Ottime, very well played.

[Trackhead]

Very cool. I have in-laws that live in Palm Springs. I've wanted to ski that random desert shit for a while.

Thanks for posting.

[Mike Pow]

Nicely done. Very interesting.

[Arno]

Good stuff and an enjoyable read

[BmillsSkier]

great TR! Odd question, are there snowpack/stability concerns up there? Serious question, such an odd spot, but I get out there fairly often and wouldn't mind a quick tour but don't know shit about what 2' of base does in mid-April on what could be steeper lines.

Great TR again!

[tone capone]

I can't believe you can ski that shit down there. Looks like full on ski mountaineering lines possible on that face. Very interesting, nice work. I hope you can get back in there in a better year and report back.

[frecnhy.]

REAL MOUNTAINS ! INSPIYA'D !

[Long duc dong]

Nice job.

Whenever I've gone to Palm Springs around this time of year, I have always looked up and seen nice looking peaks with some coverage. Very impressive to see you go out and get them.

[splat]

Wow, ottime! Piggity mentioned this trip casually on the chair but I had no idea how nice of an adventure it was.
I love that desert stuff.
Good trip!

[ak_powder_monkey]

well done sir!

[1000-oaks]

Nice job mags!

And then there was this off the backside. Tasty looking lines and nicely filled in. Filled this away.

=

PART II: Tahquitz Peak via Humber Park and Devil's Slide Trail. April 18th, 2012. The Back Side.

My line was the lookers right side of the second line from the left.

[Piggity]

Ottime eyeing his target for later in the week

[dookeyXXX]

Solid.

And there's been some bugged out inversion shizzle going on here in Tahoe as all this week, as well. The best snow has been low down on the mountains.

[Piggity]

As usual, I brought my high powered cell phone cam to capture Sundays adventure