Best Place to Propose on the Cactus to Clouds hike?

[bluerail]

I remember seeing those photos last year Tony, just never put it together that it was you. I thought that was very cool.

congratulations to both Skunk and you.

[Sally]

Beautiful, Tony.
Happy anniversary, Skunk.
Dima, my vote would definitely be for San J peak.

[Bivouac]

Don't you want to be in a place where you can quickly skip back to camp to begin your honeymoon? In that case, dolomite camp in Tamarak cause you have the nice lil meadow to roll around in (play Frisbee), plus, you can scamper up to the ridge on the SJ peak side of Cornell Peak in 15 min which is a great bivouac spot with wonderful views down, plus the dear may come visit at night...plus, with a full moon you will want a nice open space to keep it tracking into your camp all night...some thoughts from many experiences there....

[DSSAR guy]

Dont forget to post some pictures.

[Kathryn61]

I concur with some of the others. The peak is a magical place even on an ordinary day!

[James]

After you climb the steep section after Flat Rock and get into the forest traverse area if you turn to face southeast there is a spectacular view of the Salton Sea and the desert. Awesome view when the sun is coming up and the skies are crystal clear.

[bluerail]

If you haven't ever been to the peak, you should go there before you make your decision.

[dima]

I'll put the questions to the top for ease:
1) If we start at the museum and go down by the cable car, how do you folks get from the tram station back to the museum? Is there a shuttle? Or just walk?
2) Does anyone know how the conditions at the summit are? Would we need crampons? I'll call the rangers tomorrow, but if anyone has insight, that'd be great. Neither of us have much experience mountaneering or hiking in ice, so if it looks too icey, might not go to the top. Safety first!

Thanks so much to everyone for replies! I lost track of this because for some reason the website stopped notifying me when I got replies, so I assumed nobody was saying anything. Appreciate it!

Well, the cat's out of the bag. My honey and I were discussing the hike last night and as she was googling it, she came across this forum and my thread (good call, Perry). Foolishly I used my real name thinking she'd never come across this! It'd be a funny story to tell the kids. At least now both of us will be in anticipation on the hike .

Florian, I like the suggestion of going to the East side of the hut on the summit, if that's more secluded. If I get inspired earlier on the Skyline trail, I'd do that.

We got a campsite reserved at Tamarack, so no hurry to get back down. So Cornell (thanks, Afaraday) might be convenient if we decide not to do the summit on day 1 and do it in the morning. Miller Peak could be cool too, thanks, Guest.

Halhiker, agree the peak will be awesome and a place for grandkids to come back to . Though for me, the proposal is something deeply intimate and personal, so I will try to stick to something a bit more private.

CalssVTony - love the wedding pic! I think ours will be at one of the ski resorts in Utah, off-season.

Thanks, all!

[Florian]

If we start at the museum and go down by the cable car, how do you folks get from the tram station back to the museum? Is there a shuttle? Or just walk?

No shuttle bus. If you don't have someone to pick you up most people call a taxi or bum a ride. I understand it's about $20 for taxi ride back to PS. Some people do walk back all the way back. I think it's about 7 miles on the road. I'd offer to pick you guys up on Sunday but we'll be out of town that day.

-Florian

[dima]

Florian, thanks much for the thought! Where are you headed?

Bumming a ride should be easy come to think about it, at least down to the edge of the city which is half of the way. Lots of folks will be driving down.