Silly question

[WP]

Do you buy a tram ticket every time you hike?

[Hikin_Jim]

Silly Answer: Yes and No.

YES: Generally any time you ride the tram you have to buy a ticket. If you enter and leave via the tram, then you buy a round trip ticket. If you hike up from, say Idyllwild, you can get a "down only" ticket, for a lesser price. If you have a AAA membership card, the discount is worthwhile.

NO: Alternatively, you can get an annual pass. I don't think they're worth it unless you plan to go a lot. You'd have to do the math.

There are a lot of good hikes in the San Jacintos where you don't have to ride the tram at all, in which case a ticket is irrelevant.

[halhiker]

An annual pass is $120. If you're a local it's well worth it. If you're not, it's not. They also have offered a summer pass which is good from June 15-Sept. 1 for $50. That's a pretty good deal.

I have an annual pass and use it enough to make it worth it. It also save me not having to buy gas to go up to Idyllwild.

[travis99]

I have tried to sneak down without buying a ticket after hiking up, but if you look like you may have hiked up they will make a point to ask for your ticket stub. Especially if you are all sweaty with a backpack. If you look like there is no way you hiked up they typically do not ask. So if you bring a change of clothes and try to make yourself look as if you didn't hike, you may be able to sneak down. Maybe bring a suit coat with a tie and put it on. And carry a cane with a heavy limp

but the question to ask, is it really worth it?

[AlanK]

The first few times we did C2C, there was no one around to take tickets at the top. That changed a couple of years ago. In my experience, they check tickets for everyone going down. A lot of the round-trippers have hiked from Long Valley to somewhere and some of the people who make it no further than Round Valley look more bedraggled than the average C2C hiker.

I asked the ticket guy once why they started taking tickets at the top. He claimed that it had to do with increased security after 9-11. Well after, I would have to add, since the first time we did C2C was in May of 2002.

In any case, if they want to charge they can charge. It's their business. If I don't want to pay, I can always walk back down.

[Hikin_Jim]

... or pack a hang glider and jump off Coffman's Crag. If anyone chooses this option, please let me know so I can bring the camcorder ... and sell tickets.

HJ

PS If you'd like me to hold any valuables to lighten your load as you soar, I'm here to help.

[magikwalt]

If only the lovely Japanese wife to be had known how the giajin would appear later!!!!

[Hikin_Jim]