There were eight of us on this route baggers special. We met at Saunders Meadow Road and Route 243 in Idyllwild at 8 am. Dorothy discovered that there are two ends to Saunders Meadow Road. The one that goes with both Robinson's and Backus's Directions is the one in town by the school. She had to figure her own way to the trailhead: the rest of us convoyed.
South Ridge is somewhat exposed, especially to the afternoon sun. It has dramatic views of the Desert Divide, the San Diego County Peaks, the Baldy area, and Saddleback. There are lots of interesting rock formations including a keyhole. We took a leisurely 2 1/2 hours to do the four miles to the summit. My permit had printed on it not for use on the Humber Park/Devils Slide trail so we couldn't make it a carshuttle trip.
It was nice to see Betty and Austin Stirratt. The other hikers were Karl, Dorothy, Emily, Doug, Jack Trager, and myself. Thanks to Jack for pinch hitting for Erich who had to work. This was Jack's first time on this route.
