C2C ground conditions

[Polis]

Hello Everyone
Planning my first skyline hike up from museum lot to summit then tram down on May 14.
How is the ground conditions? Any snow left?
Thanks a lot

[KathyW]

Bone dry from Palm Springs to Long Valley. The view from the upper Tram Station shows patchy snow up at higher elevations. Usually, by this time of year you don't need any special gear to get to the summit - just follow the boot track and enjoy the slush and mud if it's a warm day.

[Polis]

Thanks for the great news!
Cheers

[KathyW]

Here's the view toward Jean/San Jacinto from the Upper Tram Station on Saturday:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/California ... sGxW-X2-LB


So far the forecast looks nice and cool for this weekend; so if it doesn't end up warmer than predicted, like what happened this past Saturday, you should have a really nice day out there. Enjoy the flowers - they're beautiful right now.

[GoPlayer]

I went up via Deer Springs/Wellman's Divide on the 7th and there was plenty of snow on the trail all the way up from the Divide. It was soft though (mid-day) and no problem. Sections exposed to the sun seem to clear quickly right now.

[bcrowell]

I attempted a c2c on May 8, but turned around at 9500' because it was getting too late in the afternoon. The landscape was about 50% snow at 9000'. I found it to be a challenge to navigate, because I'd walk over snow for a while, emerge from the snow into thick bushes and/or steep rocks, and then have to find the trail again to avoid bushwhacking. At the altitudes I was at, I had good traction at all times, no need for crampons or showshoes. Almost no postholing.

[KathyW]

If there's a beaten path to Wellman's Divide and then on to the summit where the trail is, bushes shouldn't be an issue but a bit of postholing and sloshing around is likely to occur. Sometimes shortcuts take longer - especially this time of year.

[bcrowell]

Hi, Kathy,

If there's a beaten path to Wellman's Divide and then on to the summit where the trail is, bushes shouldn't be an issue but a bit of postholing and sloshing around is likely to occur. Sometimes shortcuts take longer - especially this time of year.

I wasn't trying to take a shortcut. From the ranger station at 9200' to the beginning of the switchbacks that lead up to the saddle between Jean and San J, the ground was mostly covered with snow, the trail was not visible, and there was no clear boot track. This may change within the next week or so. For anyone going up in the near future, my advice in that area would be to use GPS to reacquire the trail at the bottom of the switchbacks.

-Ben

[GoPlayer]

...the ground was mostly covered with snow, the trail was not visible, and there was no clear boot track. This may change within the next week or so. ...

Those were also the conditions from Wellman's Divide. It helped quite a bit knowing where the trail was supposed to be. Once out of the forest it was easier since there was more of a defined trail. At the top of the switchbacks it was less defined again. My first time in snow up there. Fun stuff.

[KathyW]

...the ground was mostly covered with snow, the trail was not visible, and there was no clear boot track. This may change within the next week or so. ...

Those were also the conditions from Wellman's Divide. It helped quite a bit knowing where the trail was supposed to be. Once out of the forest it was easier since there was more of a defined trail. At the top of the switchbacks it was less defined again. My first time in snow up there. Fun stuff.

Thanks Ben for the info - That's really interesting. I wonder if the fact that so many people are heading directly to Tamarck Valley and Miller Saddle in the winter/spring is the reason there is no boot track to Round Valley/Wellmans Divide and on to the summit via the long traverse. It used to be there would be a great boot track all the way along where the trail is this time of year. That's too bad it isn't so now.