Attempt on Hot Springs Mountain
A snowy Hot Springs Mountain Trail
Hot Springs Mountain at 6535’ is the highest point in San Diego County. It is within the boundaries of the Los Coyotes Reservation and has recently been opened to the public. It is located about 80 miles northeast of Downtown San Diego near Warner Springs off of the 79 Highway.
I had recently heard about the trail’s opening and Bo and I decided to hike it to celebrate his birthday. With a beautiful clear day forecasted after a few stormy days, we hit the road in the Blue Bomber around 8:30 am. We stopped at Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel for sandwiches and arrived at the Ranger Station around 10:30 and paid the $10 per person fee. The Ranger informed us that there was snow at the campground around the trailhead. “Snow? Why didn’t I think about snow? I have lived in San Diego too long when I expect to go on a hike at the end of December, at elevation, right after a storm and not expect snow! I was prepared for cold with extra clothes but no snow boots. Oh well, let’s see what it’s like! The campground was closed for the winter but there were several vehicles parked throughout. It looked like one of them might be stuck. (Hmmm) We found a nice patch of snowless ground near the trailhead to park the Bomber and started our trek. The Los Coyotes website has very clear directions with a lot of helpful pictures to guide you to the trailhead and the peak. Of Coarse, we were also had our Alltrails apps out. Once you find the trailhead, the trail is easy to maneuver. My guess is that it is a fire road that goes up to an old fire lookout near the top of the mountain. The trail was covered with 4”-6” of snow, so we weren’t able to judge the condition of the trail other than an occasional peek of gravel. Luckily several people had beaten us to the trail that morning and they had cut a path through the snow.
For the first mile or so there was only 4”-6” of snow. But it was all up
We had read on Alltrails that the first two miles of the trail were difficult due to the elevation gain. They weren’t kidding! Up and up we trekked. Around every bend was more “up”. The snow gradually got deeper until it averaged around 12 inches making the climb more difficult. Luckily the temperature was in the 50’s so other than wet feet, we were comfortable. Just after the two mile mark the trail eased up to a gradual hilly climb. We passed one young woman who looked like she was an off-duty Ranger coming down the trail. She told us she had only gone as far as the junction as she wasn’t prepared for this much snow. But she told us that others were ahead and had continued on to the peak. We passed the junction the woman had told us about and kept going. It was beautiful! The sky a brilliant blue against the untouched white snow. It was breathtaking…literally, as the snow was now averaging around 18” and we were plowing ahead. We made it within 1.1 miles from the peak when common sense took ahold and we decided to head back.
The trail junction. Should we turn around? Heck no!
On the trek down, I was trying to remember the last time I had been in snow this deep. I really couldn’t remember. Maybe in my teen years in Nebraska. Good Lord, that was ages ago. We found a nice log in the sun a short way off of the trail and enjoyed our sandwiches from Dudleys. I had the Chipotle Chicken and Bo had the Baja. They tasted good and were a nice reward for our efforts. I changed into my wool socks and we continued down the trail, now with wet but warm toes. The snow was becoming soft and more slippery as I tried my best to keep up with Bo. We saw someone coming behind us on the trail and I decided I was going to keep in front of him. But every time I looked back, he was closer. Finally I stepped off the trail to let him pass. No wonder! He was wearing snow shoes! He told me he had been the first one up the mountain and had cut the trail. “Thank you kind Sir!” I watched him tear down the trail ahead and wondered where I could buy snowshoes.
The Snowshoe Man flies on by me. Thank you Kind Sir!
As we got closer to the end of the trail the snow was very slushy and I was getting concerned. The road into the campground had been slushy and muddy when we came in. How bad would it be now? I had visions of us stuck in deep muddy slush trying to push the Bomber out and having to call the Rangers. I was so in my head about getting stuck I didn’t even realize we were approaching the end of the until Bo pointed at the gate. That was fast! We climbed into the Bomber and I said a silent prayer. Yep, the road was much more slushy and muddy but the Blue Bomber plowed through it and we were on our way home with a vow to return and conquer the peak, but maybe we will wait for the snow to melt.
Happy Birthday Bo! I hope you enjoyed your birthday adventure.
