Group shot at Humber Park at about 6,500 feet. Joe(me), James, Sooz, Bill, Kathy, Phil and Tara.

A short way into the hike we stopped here for a break. No snow on the lower section of trail. Sooz ran back to the trailhead to get a short sleve shrit. It was a lot warmer than most of us thought it would be.

Kathy and Phil with a couple of small snow patches, there will be a lot of snow later.

Our first view of Suicide Rock. We would be getting great views of the rock as climbed on the Devils Slide Trail.

It didn't take long before we reached snow level. We will be hiking in snow almost till the end of the hike.

At this point hiking on the snow wasn't a problem, it was soft and not very deep.

Another view of Suicide Rock from higher up the trail.

Tara was visiting from the midwest, Sooz organized this hike for her.

One last view of Suicide Rock.

A view to the south. We had great weather for the hike, clear skys with a low haze.

Kathy on the trail. The snow is starting to get a little deeper.

The gang at Saddle Junction at 8,000 feet. We took a break here for a few snacks.

Phil & James at Saddle Junction. I heard of them before, it was nice to finally get to meet them

One of the signs at the junction, five trails meet here. We are heading to Tahquitz Peak.

A few clouds started to form as the day moved on. I like clouds.

The snow was soft and deep past the saddle. Most of us brought snowshoes along, but left them in the cars thinking we wouldn't need them.

Sooz goes deep after jumping off the log.

The trail disappeared at the saddle. We were following someone's tracks and using the GPS to confirm that we were still on track to the peak.

A view of Tahquitz Peak on the right. This view is from a spot we stopped for lunch. We hiked on the ridge and the slope on this side to reach the summit.

Zoomed in on the summit, you can see the fire lookout tower on top. At first we thought that there wasn't enough time to reach the summit and make it out before dark, but Sooz came up with a plan to hike down the South Ridge Trail after summiting. Phil and James were aready heading back down to Humber Park and were able to pick us up at the other trailhead.

Sooz at the trail junction to Tahquitz Peak. The tracks we were following ended here. From here we climbed up the slope heading for the ridge.

A view to the north from the junction.

Bill making his way up to the ridge.

The ladies up ahead just below the ridge.

A sailplane did a fly by, always cool to see one of these.

Looking back at our lunch spot on the right end of the rocky ridge.

Kathy and Tara. It is as steep as it looks, but with the soft snow it wasn't a problem.

Climbing one of the peaks along the ridge. What's on the other side?

Looking down from the top of the rocks. Lily Rock is the dome below at the end of the ridge. Suicide Rock is just across from it, we gained some altitude.

After the rocks we had to head down to get by a difficult area.

Traversing the slope again with Kathy leading the way.

Going down again. It's really steep here, good thing for soft snow.

This last steep climb took us to the summit. Kathy breaking trail for us, thanks.

It was a great feeling reaching the summit and seeing the lookout tower, we are here!!!

Sooz and Tara on the tower.

The leaning outhouse is no more.

Bill took this shot of us on the lookout tower.

A view of South Peak and Antsell Rock to the southeast.

The gang taking a break on the summit.

Group shot on Tahquitz Peak at 8,846 feet. I been here twice before, but the route we took today made it feel like a new peak.

Starting down the South Ridge Trail. Still a lot of snow, but a faster way down than doubling back the way we came.

It was hazy lower down, but it made a nice effect.

The same slope from lower down the trail.

Antsell Rock on the ridge, like to do that one again.

Sooz and Kathy by the window, the hike is almost over.

Riding in the back of James's truck to the other trailhead. James and Phil picked us up at the trailhead and gave us a ride back to our cars, thanks guys we couldn't have summited without your help.

We all had dinner together after the hike. This hike was a lot of fun. It was great to meet Tara, James and Phil for the first time and see old friends again. Thanks Sooz for picking a great hike and organizing it.

THE END