On May 26-27, 1962 members of the Rock Climbing Section (RCS) of the San Diero Sierra Club along with some members of Explorer Post 360 climbed the North Face of San Jacinto Peak via the Snow Creek Route.
Snow Creek is one of the premier alpine climbs in Southern California. It has a tremendous vertical gain of 10,000 feet in less than 5 horizontal miles. Supposedly, it is the steepest escarpment in the contiguous 48.
The starting elevation is about 1,200 feet. From the start to about 5,500 feet, depending on the snow pack, it is all bushwhacking and boulder hopping. Once you reach the snow tongue of Snow Creek you will need crampons and an ice axe. Climb the remaining 5,300 feet of snow and/or ice in one of the several chutes. You will encounter 30 to 45 degree snow slopes, with the angle increasing as you get near the top.
Click here for details with pictures of the Snow Creek Route on San Jacinto Peak. More information here.
Heading out for San Jacinto Peak on North Face Route
North Face Route approach
North Face Route approach
Snow Creek on the North Face Route
Snow Creek on the North Face Route
Snow Creek Waterfall
Clouds over San Jacinto on rest stop
Snow Creek waterfalls
Hiking up Snow Creek
First view of snow gully
In the snow gully just below camp
Camp at 7500 feet
Snow slope on North Face Route
Snow slope just below San Jacinto Peak summit
On top of San Jacinto Peak