Snow on Skyline?

[AlanK]

RickM -- I like your avatar --"polite Americana with an Asian twist."

[mookyee]

thanks billc for the report. sorry you didn't make it to the tram, but glad everyone made it back intact. sounds like the snow is receding, but still demanding proper respect. hopefully the crew who goes up next weekend will be able to shed some lite on conditions for our summit foray 4/19 ...

what time did you guys depart palm springs? thanks everyone for your input ...

[Cy Kaicener]

I am also hoping for an almost clear trail on April 19 and will check the shaded area to the traverse the week before. If the temperatures at night and in the morning remain just above freezing, the snow will not retreat that fast.

[kellie]

April 19th is the date we're planning on hiking Skyline too...looks like whatever the trail has in store for us, we'll all be in the same boat! Definitely keep us updated as you get more/new information! Looking forward to the hike!

[scottmac]

I quizzed 4 twentysomethings who breezed by me this morning at 9:15am next to the warning sign at 1700ft (without reading it), on their way to the tram for their first time, about any snow equipment they may have had. They had none. I hoped they will be OK.

[cynthia23]

Aack. No that doesn't sound good. But maybe they will get tired and give up; many people start off strong and then give up after an hour or two. Let's hope so ....and good for you ScottMac, by quizzing them you may well have made them think twice, a little bit further on. Hopefully they will go back.

[magikwalt]

Twenty somethings don't get tired and quit. Youth gives them the advantage of high energy and lack of being able to imagine a box in the ground with them inside it...forever!

Ever wonder why the Marines recruit young men. Its because most of us old guys grow a brain and start imagining that forever box.

I'd give almost anything to be that age again!

[zippetydude]

Funny thing is, the vast majority of the time, they actually pull it off.

Unfortunately, it's that odd chance, once in a while, that costs so very much...

Still, being young and clueless is fun. And, while I don't want to encourage anyone to try Skyline right now, crampons or not, I imagine they'll make it.

z

[billc]

Well my hiking buddy and I probably looked like those 4 twentysomethings except I'm sneakily a bit older.

For the record, on Sunday we left the museum trailhead at 8:00. Met a few casual hikers on the lower reaches, and then a more serious-looking gent who warned us about the ice up high. Probably someone on this forum...say about 8:30 just below the picnic tables. At the picnic tables at around 8:45 saw a group of 4 trail runners descending. Didn't see anyone the whole rest of the day until the very end. Couldn't tell in the desert sand whether the previous footprints were fresh or a day old. I'm guessing a day old since I haven't heard any posts on this forum about other going up on Sunday, but who knows.

Reached the "4300" rocks at about 11 and Flat Rocks at 2:30 and stopped for lunch. At 5 1/2 hours in, we decided that due to the 1) lack of ice experience 2) lack of a ride at the bottom of the tram we would not try for the tram. After that decision (the hard decision) it was easy to decide not to go any higher just for the sake of. Reached the bottom at 6:30.

Nice big rattler on the trail at the painted rocks on the way down. Got some good pix of it, when I get my pix online will send a link.

Thanks for the good time!

[zippetydude]

Well, if you were the group spoken about, I must apologize. You were not clueless at all, and made a clear decision using the data at hand.

By the way, I have turned around quite a few times myself, and have never regretted it. A month ago, I was at about 11,000 feet on San G, came across a broad section of light snow over slick ice, and turned around and went back down. I could have gone on and gotten a free helicopter ride back down, or accidentally taken the Glissade Express, but I opted for the safer choice. Even a relatively slight injury results in down time, and I hate that. So, even if I'm not expecting to take up permanent residence in an underground box, I still turn around if it means more fun will be available to me in the coming weeks since I won't be sitting, waiting for an injury to heal.

I especially think you guys were smart, because in the upper section, the trail all but disappears at a couple of points, and that's exactly where the snow and ice are at their worst, so it would be hard to go around the danger without getting lost. Ugh. Not fun. Overnight stay or SAR rescue. No good. Besides, you young guys probably have plenty of energy, so popping back up there once the ice is gone will be fun. Early season, right after the trail is clear, is the best time, along with October and November, which are wonderful. Hope to see you guys out there in the next few weeks.

z