Rouse Hill

2 December 1989

By: Luella Martin

Leaders: Luella Martin, Erich Fickle

Twenty-five assembled for a hike of Rouse Hill at the South Fork Trailhead by 8:30 AM. Dick Farrar supplied champagne and sparking apple cider. Many willing backs transported the same to the summit. It was to be Dick's list completion. I led out and within an hour we had a break at the stream crossing of South Fork of the San Jacinto River. This might be a problem during the spring, as we could see sticks lodged up the side of trees 2 feet above water level. In the fall, it was lovely. There is a nice Forest Service campsite complete with stove and nice trees.

We climbed steeply out of the river valley to the summit of Rouse Ridge. Here we left the trail and followed a firebreak to the main ridge road per the new HPS guide. This cuts off approximately 3 miles rt. On the summit we had goodies and lunch. The views were great of the southern HPS peaks. Ten list completers posed for the traditional list completion group shot. Dick Farrar our newest list completer, 2X John Southworth, 2X Betty Stirratt, 2X Alan Coles, Frank James, Asher Waxman, Austin Stirratt, Alice Cahill, Evan Samuels, and myself. We wouldn't let Minor White even show just his hand as he had one to go.

Everybody agreed that hiking Rouse Hill is much nicer than driving it. Thanks to Erich Fickle for the assist and to Dick Farrar for the goodies.