Cactus to Clouds - March 21

[tkopler]

Hi Folks,

I will be hiking C2C on March 21, 2015. My start time is 3:00 a.m. I am an experienced hiker and have read the numerous blogs about the conditions of the trail. I am throwing a shout out to anyone that would like to hike at that time.

I did a recon of the trail two weeks ago ( hiked 8 miles of the trail-round trip) right before the snowstorm hit so I will be carrying crampons and the necessary gear to the summit. This mission is a go; however, if there is a storm that weekend, I will postpone the hike.

Best,

Tom

[Ellen]

Howdy Tom

We went up Skyline yesterday.Did not need micrsopikes until the traverse (7.4 K). There is a well beaten n boot track up to Long Valley. I doubt you'll need more than microaspikes to reach the summit of San Jacinto unless we get a substantial snow storm.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[K & W]

Tom, sure hope you post an update with the conditions you see. We don't have microspikes and wouldn't use them often enough to justify the expense ... we're waiting for reports of a clear trail at least to Grubb's Notch- just planning for the Skyline. Hoping for 3/22! It's hot down here and temps up there haven't even dipped into the below-freezing range for a few nights now.

[jesseahouser]

My girlfriend and I plan to hike the Cactus to Clouds route to the peak on Wednesday, 18 March. We are each bringing crampons + ice axe + one trekking pole. I suspect there's a good chance we won't need the ice axe, or maybe even the crampons depending on the snow conditions, but this is our first time to the area and we aren't sure what to expect. Probably microspikes would be a better choice, but we don't have ours with us. A little extra training weight won't hurt. I'll try to follow up with a report on Thursday for those who might be interested in an update of the conditions.
-Jesse

[tkopler]

Hi Folks,

Completed CTC. No issues to report. Great hike!

[K & W]

Congratulations! We ended up doing Skyline the same day on the merits of Jesse's report. I bet we started later than you and that you move faster than us ... I don't think we crossed paths with you ... Next time.

-Ken

[tkopler]

Hi Folks,

Looking at hiking Cactus to the tram this Saturday (March 12) Looking for some beta on the trail, especially the traverse to Kaufmans crag. Spikes needed?

[Ed]

Hi Folks,

Looking at hiking Cactus to the tram this Saturday (March 12) Looking for some beta on the trail, especially the traverse to Kaufmans crag. Spikes needed?

I used my microspikes last Saturday, though there was no snow below the Traverse, it was intermittent above, the trail was well-tracked, and the snow tended to be more soft than hard. I am sure some sure-footed people would not use spikes under the same conditions, but I am always in favor of carrying trekking poles and spikes whenever there is any snow on the trail. I assume there will be more snow this weekend, but perhaps not much more.

But there are people to whom I would not presume to give advice. Like the woman who smoked pass me, looking more equipped for an afternoon in downtown Palm Springs than Skyline in the winter. As she has done three or four times before. No trekking poles. Perhaps she had spikes in her small pack. I suspect she jack-rabbited across the Traverse in less time than it took me to put on my spikes.

On the other hand, there were the four young men with big overnight packs who were unfamiliar with the trail. I passed them, which is a statement in itself: I don't pass people, everybody passes me. And I was setting a Personal Worst. Possible reasons: Had not hiked for two months; had a slight pain behind my left knee; or I'm simply getting too old for this. I hope they made it ok.

I could comment on others on the trail. It was the usual Canterbury Tales pilgrimage. It is truly amazing the range of people you encounter.

[tkopler]

Hi Folks,

We are heading up to the tram this Saturday. Does someone have a recent trail report to the tram?

Best,
Tom

[XtremelyInspired]

Hi Folks,

We are heading up to the tram this Saturday. Does someone have a recent trail report to the tram?

Best,
Tom

C2C first time on 3/24/2016. Traverse to Grubbs Notch ascent: Soft snow in late afternoon with worn boot tracks. I did not use ice axe, crampons, or microspikes in pack. If you reach the traverse early in morning when snow pack may be icy, microspikes may be needed. Recommended start time with a light pack 3 to 5 AM, heavy pack around midnight.