[Bloated Chipmunk]

In late Feb. I decided to hike Jacumba Mtn. again, as 7 yrs. ago the summit views were obscured by smoke in the air due to a wildfire burning across the border in Mexico. Also, I'd committed to writing an article about it & definitely had to re-hike it to refresh my memory, plus I'd be coming from a different trailhead anyway. This is a rugged peak in the desert transition zone that sees few people, right up my alley. We met @ our usual carpool location, then drove out to De Anza Springs Resort where we did the customary check-in @ the office (those people are starting to recognize me!) & then walked past trailers over to the Northeast Trail.

Trailhead ("Northeast Trail")

We started up the trail, covering familiar territory as the beginning was the same rt. as to the Carrizo Gorge Overlook. It was a sunny but chilly & windy morning. We would come to find out that the wind & cold would not let up 'til afternoon.

Mt. Tule to the NW

Climbing above De Anza Springs Resort

Jacumba Mtn. is in the back left

Getting to Jacumba Mtn. via the resort involves various turns on a maze of BLM rds., & I frequently consulted my map & GPS to make sure I made all the correct decisions on the 1st try so as to avoid wasted time & add'l mileage on my GPS' odometer. I took notes along the way of many of the plants seen & @ all the junctions.

Getting a little bit closer. Will aim for the main saddle in middle of photo.

Concrete pad

BLM sign about cultural significance of the area

Rd. 040

Aiming for saddle in middle of photo

Veering right onto Rd. 019

T-intersection is atop that rise coming up

After various rd. junctions we got to the T-intersection & it was time to say farewell to the rds. & strike off XC toward the saddle. After sizing up what lay ahead, a couple times one of my companions remarked "This is gonna be rough...".

Aiming for saddle just right of center

About to start up to saddle

Climbing up to the saddle

On the use trail, just below saddle

@ the saddle we caught a glimpse down the other side, a pretty big drop to the east. We turned left & ascended up/around a steep rocky section before reaching the summit ridge & having an easy walk the rest of the way over to the high point.

Atop the summit ridge

Walking along the wide summit ridge

Approaching the summit. Big drop off to the left.

The last tiny bit to the summit involves a little bit of scrambling & hair-raising view of a big drop to the west. We found the register inside a big metal box & the 3 of us signed it before a brief snack & photo op. It was so windy & chilly up there that we didn't hang out long.

BM

Summit pano

Summit pano

Summit views

Summit views

Summit views

Summit views

Atop Jacumba Mtn.

View to the SE

View south atop summit. Dark plateau is Table Mtn.

Zoom of De Anza Springs Resort

Boot shot from the summit

Summit

We headed back down, more or less the way we came up.

The summit ridge

Dropping down the steep section to the saddle below

Looking back up @ the rocky outcrop just above the saddle

Dropping down from the saddle

Phallic rock

Mystery hole

We opted to bypass a section of rd. on the way down by taking a wash that paralleled the rd. & provided a more interesting route.

The wash section of hike (we took the rd. on the way in).

Temps warmed up & I was finally able to shed some layers. Soon the resort came into view once again.

Rocks & moon

Approaching the resort

Stats

Route

Then on to our usual spot for post-hike margs. Well, marg, as I was the only one who had one.

Post-hike margarita