Weather was perfect at noon on Saturday, Feb. 9, when sixteen Sierrans gathered at Ranchita for the climb of San Ysidro. All easily reached the objective though found it a bit windy and chilly on top, with a few snow patches, but visibility and desert view superb.
In the absence of Peggy, Walt Wheelock made a splendid leader. We reached our camp below Whale Mountain well before dusk, stopping at a delightful spot about two miles this side of Pinyon Saddle. It was unexpectedly warm for our campfire that evening. One more hiker joined us for the climb of Whale at 8 Sunday morning, and all 17 made the trailless hike from Pinyon Saddle to the summit. It involves some boulder hopping, but flattens out on top giving an unobstructed view well into Mexico as well as of the Salton Sea, the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lagunas, Cuyamacas, and of course, the Anza Desert around us. All cars left for home by 4 p.m.
