Full C2C 4/27/2014

[tekewin]

Sean Green and I did the full C2C hike on Sunday. A quick tip for first timers: park in the free parking garage across the street from the Art Museum. I parked in the Museum parking lot and got a parking violation warning. Thankfully, I wasn't towed.

We started up Skyline around 3:15 AM. The lower parts of the Skyline trail are notoriously fragmented. We got lost multiple times, but every time we did, we went straight up the hill until we intersected the trail again. It was not an ideal strategy, but it worked. At some point, we spotted a light from Mountain Station that appeared a discouraging distance away. By sunrise, we were at 4000'.


Skyline start


Art Museum from early on the trail


Light from the Mountain Station, very far away


Sunrise

We took a break at a clearing around 5300' near the remains of a campfire. After hitting the manzanita section, the trail went mercilessly up with many fewer switchbacks. After 7000', we started hitting patches of snow, and shortly after Coffman's Crag, light slushy snow covered the trail. It wasn't really a hazard, just messy. It took 7 hours to reach the Long Valley ranger station where we got a permit to continue. The ranger at Long Valley told us conditions were icy near San Jacinto and we shouldn't go without microspikes. Of course, we made the attempt, and the snow was slushy, not icy past Jean Peak. This is where I paid the price for not having waterproof boots. The slush on the trail could not be avoided and eventually, my boots and socks were soaked and freezing. I soldiered on to the summit where a half dozen people were shivering from the cold temps and strong wind. We got back to the Aerial Tramway and bought our tickets down. The Service Desk was nice enough to call a cab for us and it was waiting when we got to the bottom. We left Palm Springs battered and wet, but victorious.


Palm Springs from the manzanita section of Skyline


Sean at Coffman's Crag


Snow in Long Valley


San Jacinto summit


Final climb of the day

[zippetydude]

Well done! Hey, was that your first time? Kinda crazy weather predictions for the weekend turned out to be almost ideal weather. While the weather was nice, the trail was perhaps not in the best of condition for feet I guess. I went Saturday, ended going along with Ellen, Marilyn, Sally and Cameron, and we commented that the trail would probably be a slushy mess by Sunday...looks like we were right on that account. Glad you made it despite the cold feet, so again, congrats!

z

[tekewin]

Zippetydude,

Yes, it was my first time. The last two hikes I was expecting snow conditions, I dragged a lot of gear around and didn't need it. All I really needed this time was waterproof boots, but that's how it goes sometimes.

With the hot weather on the way, it will probably all be gone by next weekend.

[Ellen]

Howdy Tekewin

Congratulations on completing the full monty in less than ideal conditions There's nothing like your first C2C. Those cement switchbacks at the end of a hard day, ugh

Hope to see you on a trail soon.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[tekewin]

Thanks, Ellen. The ramp back to the station nearly had me cursing, haha.

Great to have C2C under my belt, but I really want to spend some time on the other peaks in the beautiful San Jacinto area and desert divide. So many mountains, so little time.