Is it trail runners yet?

[James]

With all the posts about snow on Skyline last weekend, I am guessing the trail above the tram has even more snow. Any chance trail runners would be ok for Skyline and the summit trail this weekend? With microspikes and poles/axe? Or do I have to lug boots and crampons up there?

Skyline will probably be ok but what about tram to summit?

Thanks for any info.

James

[zippetydude]

Hi James. bluerail did it this past weekend; his post on the conditions:

"miller saddle was a slip and slide pocked with manzanita and rocks now, absolutely no fun. "

On the other hand, Skyline is clear and fully runnable (well, except for the uphill parts!), so it's perfect right now.

z

[bluerail]

I essentiaslly had runners on..going up, my feet were soaked from the base of Miller saddle to the peak and all the way back down past grubs, started drying out when I was back down to flatrock. Had short trail gaiters and VERY glad I at least had those. Conditions from Tamarack up, in my opinion, if you end up with the snow having been in the sun awhile, and gotten slushy, are very yucky snow conditions. But, completely doable in runners with strapons (for the last climb) if you dont mind wet feet.

I wouldnt do it again right now without the crampons . It was a hellish slip and slide going up the ridge to the peak.

Zip, I'll call you today

[James]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like it might be better to separate those two (Skyline and summit) for now. Maybe combine them in October.

[guest]

Hi James,
That's a good idea, you don't need to deal with those tough conditions Bluerail spoke of after Skyline, (of course if your Bluerail, Zip & Fern, you could do it with flip-flops & a quart of H20!!).
Oct is a great month, plus, you can use San Jac & San Gorgonio as good trainers this summer for a fall C2C.

ss