What are the chances of doing C2C a week from now?

[Vladislav]

Hi everyone,
It's a very nice forum you have here. I am glad I joined.
I will be in Palm Springs for the New Years (my first time there). I wonder whether it's realistic to try and do cactus-to-clouds route. Well, actually I only expect to get as far as the tram. Still, seems like a pretty good challenge.
I have experience with snow travel. My main question is whether I should be carrying snowshoes or crampons/axe.
I would appreciate any information about current conditions, snow level, potential for ice on Skyline. Any tips on routefinding will also be great.
It might seem strange but my main concern is not routefinding or snow but rather snakes. I rarely hike in rattlers' land and would likely freak out when I hear the rattle. How likely am I to see/hear/step on a rattler in late December? Since I plan to start at 4 am, I am afraid of "stepping on a stick" in the dark.

Thanks much!
Vlad.

[zippetydude]

Hi Vlad. Welcome. You're my kinda guy - in case I haven't mentioned it before, I hate snakes. No need to worry at all this time of year. It's cold and they're basically a non-issue til it warms up. If you're going at 4:00, it'll be cool enough that even if someone were to go take a snake out of its hibernation burrow and lay it across the trail, it would scarcely be able to move, even if you stepped on it. Now, the end of May with temps in the 80's and 90's would be a different story. But you've chosen a great time. Have fun, with no worries about rattlers.

z

[Vladislav]

Hi Vlad. Welcome. You're my kinda guy - in case I haven't mentioned it before, I hate snakes. No need to worry at all this time of year. It's cold and they're basically a non-issue til it warms up. If you're going at 4:00, it'll be cool enough that even if someone were to go take a snake out of its hibernation burrow and lay it across the trail, it would scarcely be able to move, even if you stepped on it. Now, the end of May with temps in the 80's and 90's would be a different story. But you've chosen a great time. Have fun, with no worries about rattlers.

z

Thanks a lot, Z
You've just propped up my chances of making the hike by 50% or so. I kind of figured the snake encounter shouldn't be an issue in winter. Main reason for choosing this time of the year to climb! Now, with the encouragement you offered, I'll be flying up that lower section.
Vlad.

[ppaster]

Vladislav, I am going to be in PS next week and am planning a climb of C2C as well. Let me know what day you are thinking about and perhaps we can pair up.

[guest]

Hi Vladislav,
You may have scanned posts for the last year or 2 on climbing Skyline this time of year, it not, I'd spend a little time.
This route / mountain can be quite dangerous this time of year, there's already been a couple layers of snow / ice layed down, which can make cohesion poor, (at times a loose layer on top of hard-packed),not good.

Depending on previous hikers, (and weather they followed the normal route), navigation can be difficult & costly.

If you have some real mountaineering experience on steep, icy slopes, you may do ok, (i.e. ice & cramp-ons & self-arrest).

If I was considering it, I'd spend the $23 & ride up a day or 2 before, hike down a couple hundred vertical ft. (if you feel confident & safe) to really understand what your getting into. A small price for invaluable knowledge.

This route in winter can throw at lot at you at the most inopportune time.

Enjoy whatever you decide to do, it's an amazing mountain,

ss

[bluerail]

I agree with Scott, go up there and go down to to coffmans and back up. It's a real fun time anyway.

[Vladislav]

Thank you guys, good advice. I'll try to check out conditions the day before from the tram.
Vlad.

[Vladislav]

Vladislav, I am going to be in PS next week and am planning a climb of C2C as well. Let me know what day you are thinking about and perhaps we can pair up.

Hey Ppaster.
It would be great to go together. Right now I don't know exactly when I am going. Will be checking the weather.
Looks like we need to carry crampons and axes. Do you have experience in steep snow travel? I have done Shasta a couple of times (once as a dayhike) and have climbed quite a few couloirs in the Sierra. I usually hike about 2.5 miles per hour uphill on the trail or about 1500 vertical feet per hour. Do you think 4 am sounds like a reasonable start time?
Vlad.

[ppaster]

Hey Ppaster.
It would be great to go together. Right now I don't know exactly when I am going. Will be checking the weather.
Looks like we need to carry crampons and axes. Do you have experience in steep snow travel? I have done Shasta a couple of times (once as a dayhike) and have climbed quite a few couloirs in the Sierra. I usually hike about 2.5 miles per hour uphill on the trail or about 1500 vertical feet per hour. Do you think 4 am sounds like a reasonable start time?
Vlad.

I don't think I would want to do the hike if crampons and ice axes are required. I have both and am experienced but I don't think I want to carry them and my winter mountaineering boots that far. Let's wait and see what the conditions are like. I am willing to do it Wed/Thurs/Fri and 4am sounds good to me but I am open to leaving earlier.

[Vladislav]

I don't think I would want to do the hike if crampons and ice axes are required. I have both and am experienced but I don't think I want to carry them and my winter mountaineering boots that far. Let's wait and see what the conditions are like. I am willing to do it Wed/Thurs/Fri and 4am sounds good to me but I am open to leaving earlier.

I will probably carry axe in any case and very likely crampons as well. Thursday and Friday don't work for me as I am hiking with friends and family. Wed could work.