Skyline Conditions this weekend (the 14th)

[rggibbons]

Along the same lines as Sharns post below, I was just wondering if anyone knows if there's much snow on Skyline up on the traverse? The weather report for Palm Springs this Saturday Nov. 14th looks really nice and I was just debating whether I can get away to do the trail - it's been almost exactly a year ago that I did it last, too long! Thanks, Robert

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/ ... casts/2500

[zippetydude]

You'll be fine! I always carry micros after September since they're so light... So, how goes it wayward wanderer? Long time no post...

z

[Ellen]

Howdy Robert

I've missed seeing you, my friend.

I went up Skyline yesterday -- there's no snow. We tried to take a cross country to the peak but called it at 2 PM due to being off course, cold and the lateness of the day.

You don't need microspikes for Skyline. I've heard that the trail from the tram to peak has icy sections, so microspikes are recommended.



Cross country after taking the Sid Davis route to Tamarack valley.



Rime ice on Miller.

Pictures courtesy of Sally

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[rggibbons]

Thanks, Zippetydude and Ellen! It has been too long, I miss seeing you too Saw some pics from your wild trip in Europe...Good to hear the trail is dry. If I make it up Saturday I'll post again, would hate to see the whole year slip by without any Skyline action...Thanks again! ~Robert

[birgezici]

Hi,
We are planning to hike tomorrow too and here's our finding from rangers:
The ranger at Long Valley said trail reports are all great with only a very few thin patches of snow in some shady spots. Hikers to the Peak reported no problems with ice on the trails. It was a high of 51 degrees at the ranger station today and San J Peak in the upper 30's to lower 40's. It looks the same for the next couple of days.

[rggibbons]

Thanks for posting, Birgezici. Have a good one tomorrow!

Unfortunately, I had a long workday and regret that I'm not feeling my mojo this evening. I'm thinking I'm probably going to wait a week and see if the conditions are still do-able next Saturday, will keep my fingers crossed. Thanks to everyone for all the posts. ~Robert

[rggibbons]

Well I finally made it out to the trail. It was a perfect day yesterday, Saturday, the 21st. I went up solo but chatted with quite a few people along the way, and brought along my mini-tripod to shoot some panoramic shots. I started a little later than I wanted, around 5 AM and got up to Grubbs Notch just after noon. There were some light patches of snow on parts of the traverse but nothing too hairy. (I had microspikes in my pack but didn't need them.) It's been a year so it was great to be back on the mountain! Just by chance, I've been using the stair-master at the gym this last month and it must have really helped. I didn't feel nearly as spent as I normally do after this hike...A fantastic day out!