C2C April 7

[Ellen]

I took Cy's advice and other forum members advice and did the intelligent thing (unusual for me) -- I decided to forgo C2C today (March 31). However, I was still in the mood to be beaten by chains and headed up Mt Baldy via the Bear Canyon trail. If you're not familiar with Bear Canyon, you climb 5,800 ft in 6.4 miles to the summit of Baldy (about 10,000). It was beautiful though sadly there is hardly any snow left.

I look forward to hiking C2C next Saturday April 7 and hope to meet some of you folks. As another forum member put it, I'm a sucker for a cold beer at the tram and won't be attemtping the summit. I'd also love to have an early dinner at Las Consuelas afterwards if anyone is interested.

Would anyone like to do a car shuttle? I'm happy to meet at the tram and ferry people over to the Desert Museum in exchange for a ride back to the museum. I plan on 6:30-7 hours to the tram.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Cy Kaicener]

A car shuttle is a great idea in theory, but the gates at the bottom of the road dont open until about 5.30 am. If five people share a taxi you pay less than five dollars each. A guy from Alaska called Sid has been bitten by the Skyline bug and is going up there almost weekly. His wife picks him up and can give a few people a ride back in a large van. I plan on being at the museum a little after 4 am.
Unfortunately the ski lift on Baldy only takes you down 1300 feet, but its a great hike from Baldy Village. Food afterwards sounds like a great idea.

[Ellen]

Howdy Cy
Thanks for the info regarding when you're leaving the museum. I'll probably start from there at 5 AM and connect with you on the way up. I also appreciate the info on when the gates open for the tram -- didn't know this as I usually go the cab route.
I'm happy to put in money for a cab Would also love to share food and fellowship at Las Conseulas (sp?) or other good Mexican food place.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[LeslieL]

We are planning our first trip up Skyline to the tram this Saturday – mind if we join you, Cy? You may decide to push past us eventually (we are the tortoise, not the hare) but it would be nice have some company to start.

By the way, what are the latest conditions? Will crampons be required? I'm hoping to travel as light as possible

Thanks,
Leslie

P.S. Has anyone stayed at any of the local budget hotels? Recommendations?

[Cy Kaicener]

You are welcome to join us Leslie. We are leaving at 4 am. The snow should be gone by Saturday in this heat. Others are leaving later.

[LeslieL]

Great Cy, we'll see you at the Museum 4 a.m. Saturday!

Leslie

[Ellen]

Howdy Leslie

I look forward to meeting you, Cy, and everyone else from this forum who is going up this Saturday. I plan on leaving the museum at 5 AM.

The weather report is for a high of 96 in Palm Springs and a low of 67. This is similar to the conditions when I hiked C2C three weeks ago. I left at 6 AM, which was too late to beat the heat. I carried 3 quarts of Gatorade and really needed another quart. This time, I'll be carrying 4 quarts of Gatorade Endurance (higher electrolyte content than regular Gatorade).

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[KathyW]

I'm hopeful for this Saturday, but not 100 percent sure yet. I'd like to go all the way to the summit of San Jac, so I'll be starting real early.

[Yichus]

Hi, Ellen:

I have a friendly suggestion: Instead of drinking Gatorade Endurance Formula, which as you surely know contains a lot of artificial/refined sugar products that might not be good for the liver and kidneys (please note the qualifier), you might wish to consider trying nature's sports drink: coconut water. I used to drink Gatorade Endurance Formula until a friend--he has a PhD in Nutrition--recommended coconut water, a 100% all-natural product that has amazing curative properties. I've found that coconut water has helped to improve my performance significantly--and it actually tastes good when chilled thoroughly, at least I think so.

A small carton of coconut water (11oz) contains over 850 mg of potassium, as well as significant amounts of the key electrolytes lost through heavy perspiration: sodium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium.

I'm sold, to fall back on cliché, on coconut water, which costs slightly more than Gatorade but is, in my view, well worth the extra dollar or two.

Again, just a friendly suggestion. If Gatorade works best for you, then that’s great.

Rob

[cynthia23]

Hi Y, good to hear from ya. But where do you get this coconut water? It sounds worth a try ...my usual secondary beverage is green tea with lots of sugar. For a while I did Pedialyte, but it and Gatorade just seem to upset my stomach. But just plain water has its limitations too.