Conditions this week

[Krocster]

Hello All,

I have a short notice visit to the Palm Springs area this weekend, and have wanted to do this hike for years. How are the local conditions lately? especially WRT temperatures and any remaining ice patches. I would also be interested in any groups planning the hike on Saturday or Sunday morning.

Thanks!

[zippetydude]

Hi Krocster. I'm not sure which hike you mean. Skyline (Palm Springs to Tram) is still too hot even though it's October. If you mean Tram to Peak, any slight residue of hail won't hinder you and there's probably none anyway. Hope that helps!

z

[Krocster]

Thanks Zip. I was hoping for skyline, but I might have to settle for the tram to summit hike.

[Ellen]

Howdy Krocster

I recommend the Strawberry loop from the tram -- about 7 miles with 4.5 gain and you get lots of different views.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[zippetydude]

Yeah, the weather is an obstacle right now. It's usually very nice in October but the Santa Ana Winds are in so it's hot (102! Ugh!) for the time being. Ellen's recommendation is a good one (Hi Ellen!) Maybe do that on Saturday and if you want a good taste of what Skyline would be like, start just before dawn on Sunday and go up Skyline for one roughly one mile starting from the museum, then turn left at the big rock pile and come down over at Ramon. It's a great way to get some experience on the trail without having to commit to the whole thing and you'll have a good idea what to expect when the opportunity arrives and you actually get to do it!

BTW settling for the peak isn't a bad thing. John Muir wrote, ""The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!" Hyperbole, perhaps, but it is a very nice view at the end of a nice, pleasant hike. Just be sure you head the right way going back to the tram. The last couple hundred yards to the peak have you scrambling up a rock pile with trees on it. With no trail, lots of people (including me, even after many trips up there) still find their way back down to the trail and think, "Now which way goes back to the tram?"

Hope you have fun no matter what.

z

[Ulysses]

Fantastic hiking conditions on the south side this week with the recent rain.

[Ang]

If you do the Skyline do you get a free ride back down!?

[wb]

Absolutely! For now, the helicopter ride is still free, but your immediate family may need to pay for the pine box.

[DickW]

What I learned this weekend is you can do Skyline even when it's hot, but get going at midnight - if you're lucky you'll see tarantulas and rattlesnakes.

[Perry]

...if you're lucky you'll see tarantulas and rattlesnakes.

That's gotta be one of the best comments here.