Distance: 3.3 miles round trip on trail and cross country
Summit Elevation: 9369'
Elevation Gain: 1000'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.8
Round trip time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Recommended water: 24 oz.
Parking/Fees: $34 Aerial Tramway plus $15 parking fee (ouch)
Difficulty: Moderate (scramble, navigation)
Yale Peak is one of several minor peaks on the San Jacinto plateau. I had already done Harvard and Cornell (not minor) and all the peaks around Marion Mountain. I got a late start after working in the morning and caught the noon tram to Mountain Station. I got my permit at the ranger station, then took the Sid Davis trail until I was just past Yale. I left the trail and angled behind it, having read the easiest route was from the NW. I was able to keep it class 2, but there was a little exposure. Yale offered up terrific views, though dark clouds were building. I found the register in a small can with a screw top under the highest rock. It was a couple of years old and only had a few signatures. After signing in, I looked directly down the SE face and it looked like it would go. I decided to check it out since the price for climbing back up was not very high. Not only did it go, it was a series of broad ledges that were easier class 2 than the ascent. I recommend the SE face as a better alternative. When I was down, I took a shortcut back to the Sid Davis trail.
My plan was to pick up two other minor peaks: Luella Todd and Divide Peak. To reach them, I needed to pass by the ranger station again. The forecast was a 20% chance of rain, but as I returned toward the ranger station, thunder started rolling and a few large drops pelted the trail. When I got to the ranger station, it was steady light rain. I sat under a tree a while, waiting for it to pass. It stopped a few minutes later and I decided to continue heading out. I got about a half mile, when the rain started again. I waited under a tree again. The rain nearly stopped, then it came down harder and the tree was no longer enough shelter. I put on a poncho, and retreated along the Willow Springs Trail. The rocks were now wet and I didn't want to tempt the mountain gods. I did a little surgery on my GPS track to keep it relevant to Yale, so take the stats with a grain of salt. I am looking forward to coming back for the other two when the forecast is better.
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