Easter Skyline

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Heading up tomorrow with friends, starting at 5:30 AM. Hope to see some familiar faces on the trail.

Miles of smiles and Happy Easter,
Ellen

[Sally]

Have fun! Happy Easter!

[Screerider]

You passed me pretty quickly. I still struggle Perhaps that's the fun of it. Made it to 4300' anyway.
I would have said " hi" in the parking lot, but I didn't want to appear to be a hitchhiker.
Heaven forbid I try to keep up with you gals.
Followed your suggestion and now I'll follow your other suggestion and not say what your first suggestion was.

When the trail branches and there are rocks and/or wood lined across one branch, I take it I go the other way? Specifically, I'm talking about a branch around 3,500-4,000' where it seemed most of the prints went up the trail (to the right) stepping across the rocks and wood. I just saw it was going up and thats where I was headed...
Thanks

[Ellen]

Howdy Screerider

Good job in going halfway up and back down. You're ahead of me in that I still have never hiked down Skyline.

I know the exact spot you're talking about. The trail goes to the left and traverses around whereas the other route pretty much goes straight up. Hikers use both.

Look forward to meeting you next time and thanks for being a good
Samaritan

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Screerider]

LOL, You probably never had to go downhill. I just compare myself to the flatlanders when I need an ego boost.
It's a little boring to be honest. Not like going up.
I wouldn't suggest it. At least not without a little forethought. It does heat up.

Thanks for the trail info, another question though.

I believe HJ called 4,300' halfway as well though the map chart on his blog shows it a little shy both in mileage and in elevation. I take it this point, while close, is only arbitrary, or is it actually half way?

[cynthia23]

Don't feel bad about going up and down Screerider, that's pretty much all I do these days. I cheer myself up by telling myself that I have--maybe--gone up to 5k and down, more than anyone else. (but actually, I don't think that's so--there's a darkhaired man with a mustache, whose name escapes me, who goes up to 4k and then down, several times a week.)

It's a matter of opinion, but in mine, 4300 isn't really halfway--maybe two-fifths? A lot depends on your speed, obviously. If, let's say, it takes you three and half hours to get to 4300, then you still have another two and a half hours to Flatrock, and another two hours from Flatrock to Grubb's Notch, for a total time of eight hours. Of course, most here are faster to much faster than that, but I think the overall trail breakdown applies. The distance from Flatrock to GN is short, but it's very steep and most are tired by then, so it generally takes longer than you'd think from mere mileage ...

[Screerider]

Thanks Cynthia. It's a lot easier when I know what to expect. It's that last little steep section that I need to get in shape for.
I don't feel bad at all, a little humbled on this board maybe, but to others, I'm pretty cocky about " halfway". Now if you want to talk about how far I was making in in December...I still struggle to the tables. Whatever, if you don't do it you're dying.

[HH8]

It's a matter of opinion, but in mine, 4300 isn't really halfway--maybe two-fifths?

Cowles Mt. in San Diego is a handy spot for a quick bit of elevation, and is favored by many preparing for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk.
Just before the 2/3 mileage marker on the trail is a phallic boulder we tell the girls is named "halfway rock". It may not be half of the distance, but it is usually more than half of their motivation.