Best time of the year to hike

[nussgary]

When is the best time of the year minus snow and heat to hike Mt San Jacinto? I was told the month of October.
We plan to hike C2C.

[zippetydude]

If you're going up from the tram, anytime from now to October will be great. Because of the elevation, it's not particularly hot up there, even when it's very hot down in the valleys. If you're starting from one of the trailheads at slightly lower elevation (say Marion, etc., anything besides the C2C trail) you're still fine if you start relatively early. It might be a little warm on your way back down, but not overly so, and downhill on a warm afternoon is not usually a problem.

z

[magikwalt]

I hiked a couple different loop trails last Saturday and Sunday from the top tram station down through Laws Camp, Saddle Jct, Wellman Divide and back to the tram station.

The temperature was wonderful. I actually wore a long sleeve shirt both days since I hate sunscreen. I also live in Palm Springs and the current temps are above 110º. Hiking up top is the way to go.

[Newmountaineer]

So when does the snow usually begin? November? At what point does the accumulation *usually* start to get to the point that the brush is covered and you can just shoot a straight path up the peaks?

[AlanK]

The best time to hike Mt. San Jacinto is today.

"Works every day."

[CXP777]

I have seen posts where people start hiking at midnight to avoid the heat. Even with a head lamp, is the trail that clear? Does you pace slow down in the dark? Also, are there more "critters" out:)

[CXP777]

One last question: Does anyone hike C2C during June through August? If so, when would you start. I might be out in California in the next few weeks and was considering the hike. Now, having lived in Phoenix for many years, I was going to start at 3 A.M. Last time I did it, I stated at 7 A.M. in October (72 degree start) and finished at the tram in 7 hrs. Is it unreasonable to try this hike in the Summer with an early start? I live on the east coast and only get west once a year. I really want to do it, but I also want to be smart.

[Cy Kaicener]

Last year I hiked Skyline in July and August starting at midnight, but I dont think I will do it this year. There would have to be a lot of cloud cover which makes it a bit cooler but humid at the start. There seemed to be fewer critters.
A full moon will let you keep up your normal speed, otherwise you will be a little slower than normal.

[magikwalt]

The numbers side of me just has to put this out there again. Here is what next Friday morning is shaping up to look like. Please remember that the coldest part of the day will be about 5:00am.

12:00am - 88º
1:00am - 86º
2:00am - 83º
3:00am - 81º
4:00am - 80º
5:00am - 78º
6:00am - 81º
7:00am - 84º
8:00am - 87º
9:00am - 91º
10:00am - 96º

These are real numbers representing real temperatures and the rate at which they will increase. If for some reason you think that starting at midnight it will be cool you are mistaken. What will happen is that the temperature will decrease each hour until 5:00am. You can expect 2º-3º of temperature drop as you increase your altitude each 1,000ft. But even that is going to be offset by the amount of heat that has been absorbed by boulders, rocks and the earth from the previous day. You're going to be going through water at a greater rate than you imagine.

Yes we have a group of regulars that have done it so many times that its almost an automatic. I don't put myself anywhere near this status. This will be my first summer attempting the trail.

If you are planning on the hike during our 3 months of hell you better bring your "A Game" because there aren't going to be a lot of people joining you on the trail that time of year. I have done the hike 9 times now since this last Nov and I still have trouble believing how the dynamics have changed with the heat coming on. I'll watch for a weather cycle that appears to be in favor and then take another shot.

Walt

[zippetydude]

Cy's right, it's fully doable in the summer, you just have to plan accordingly. I've posted a couple of times before that I did it in July, but carried extra water and a "Misty Mate". I used up two liters spraying cool mist on myself, but it worked amazingly well and I was cool to cold the whole time. I loved it.

Still, I'd really encourage you to think about Walt's suggestion. I did a loop around the top of the mountain last summer, and it was cool and the scenery was amazing. I also went down to Caramba, which had flowing water and no people, so I couldn't resist a refreshing dip. The water was a little cold but very much appreciated at the time. If you haven't explored the upper trails, they're more than worth it, they're wonderful.

When are you going to be out here? Maybe a few board posters will be on the mountain that day and we can all say hi.

z