12.02 Idyllwild: Devil's slide to Tahquitz Peak
Dangerous curves. We encountered some danger on the trail as Jen struggles to cross a slippery slope; a massive fall-off to her right. After twenty minutes, the peak comes into view View across from Tahquitz Peak (100 feet below) Today’s hike is rated the best in the area by Moon, a publisher of hiking trails—it is outstanding although the visuals in the area don’t vary too much. However, it turned out to be dangerous as we approached the final section of the ascent. Snow and ice still abound from about seven hundred feet below the peak, covering the precipitous path. Using all our skills and a few prayers as well, we crossed about eight sections in which the fall-off was to put it bluntly, frightening. Looking mere inches to our flanks, the slope to the bottom was near vertical without anything to grab onto should one slip or fall. When we reached a point just below the peak, about 100 feet from the top, Jen mentioned the following profound words: “I have often felt in ...