Early February-???????????????????

[Jim_h]

See Below.

[Jim_h]

My original message and question had over 200 views, but was completely ignored.

Here I go again:

Is there water available at the Upper Tram Station?

If not, where is there any potable water?

Looks like the last tram down is at 945 PM most of the time. Is this correct?

I'm not some Florida tourist, I have hiked big elevation and mileage hikes before, so some sort of a response would be nice.

[Sally]

Oops, welcome Jim, and sorry you got ignored.

The 1st time I did Skyline was on the day that a bunch of crazies from the board had planned a group back-to-back Skyline. Although I had no intention of doing the "back2back" I got an early start (2:30 AM) to take advantage of the crowd on the trail to help me find the way if needed. I made it! After ascending the dreaded concrete switchbacks to the tram I had, if I remember correctly, some coffee and maybe a pastry. Rested and refueled, my two hiking companions and I ascertained that we had it in us to continue on to the Peak. Although not in the original plan, we pulled it off, returning back at the tram station at 6:30 PM.

Sorry about the trip down memory lane, but , long story short: Yes there is potable (barely) water at the ranger station. and an assortment of beverages and food at the tram station if you don't mind the extra trip up the concrete walkway. Always check the tram hours and weather on the Tram's website, and make sure you have enough time to complete the trip according to your pace if you don't want to spend the night up there.

[bluerail]

Jim, theyre absolutely is water http://www.pstramway.com/ and food and beer and liquor and bathrooms, a gift shop etc..it's a real place. the people are nice too.

water at the tram is way better than the water at ranger station.


I dont think anyone here has anything against tourist from Florida, other than the fact they just got some snow.

[Jim_h]

Thanks. Hopefully, or not, the snow holds a little longer and I can hike at least to the Tram Station.
Thanks again.

[Ellen]

Howdy Jim

We may get a dusting of snow on the traverse tonight and tomorrow night. A lot of folks are headed up this Saturday and can report on conditions.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Jim_h]

Thanks again.

I certainly hope some snow falls on the mountain this winter, perhaps a few good dumps after February 15th, and my trip. In previous years, I remember seeing Weather Channel Reports of foot an hour accumulations, for several hours, nearby at ski resorts like Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains. Seems that hasn't happened in quite a while.

I am curious, when was the last decent or wet winter on San Jacinto? 2010, or 2011? Certainly not 2012, or 2013? I recall 2011 was wet for northern California and the Sierra Nevada, in part due to a Pine Apple Express in late December, but I don't remember if that got as far south as San Jacinto. So, I was thinking that 2010 and the El Nino winter was probably the last wet winter. This dry winter is good this year for a rare mid-winter hike up San Jacinto in dry conditions, bad for the mountain overall.

I look forward to any reports of hikes, or new snow.

[Sally]

2010 (or was it 2011?) was an epic snow year in So Cal, and the Sierra for that matter. There was enough snow to completely cover all the rocks and brush, making for excellent snowshoeing conditions on San Jacinto. We were climbing snow chutes on San Gorgonio into late spring. I camped atop San G on the 4th of July and had snow to melt for water.

And then there was Ellen's famous John Muir Trail trip where she faced walls of snow at every pass, and forded raging rivers because of the snowmelt!

I predict that there will not be enough snowfall in the next 2 weeks to spoil your plans, Jim.

[neverwashasbeen]

The snow level on Skyline this morning appears to be around the 7,000 foot level.

[bluerail]

it'll melt quick and sat sun wont bring much either..grounds warm. none of it will stay.

09/10 was decent