A few related side notes about this particular jaunt up Skyline: it was my first solo Skyline (big surprise since no one else wanted to hike in the cold rain with me, haha); it was my first Skyline hike in any sort of inclement weather, and also this was, by far, my latest start (7:30am).
It was a nice change starting so late, as I was able to easily see all of my surroundings from the very start. I usually start between 2:30-3:30am, and as a result the majority of the hike is merely headlamp-lit. Almost immediately I started feeling raindrops, which became colder and more frequent the higher I ascended. Ominous cloud formations were visible over the Santa Rosa's, and eventually the San Jacinto's. Cloud cover really started rolling in and by the time I got to Neverending Ridge, I was enveloped in a dense fog, temps were dropping, and I was soaked -- albeit warm -- in my various wool/wicking/waterproof layers.
As far as humanity, I only encountered five people: two couples I ran into before reaching the first rescue box, and one fellow descending Skyline just before I reached Flat Rock.
5 1/2 hours later and having slogged through a muddy upper Skyline, I crested at Grubb's Notch, where it was raining the hardest. I was actually surprised to see so many people at the Upper Tram Station, given the crummy weather.
I for one absolutely loved the experience of hiking in such weather -- feeling the elements like that makes me feel so alive! And one interesting thing I noticed during the hike is that I was smelling a quite-strong smell in some places. After walking around and smelling the various plant-life, I concluded that manzanita gives off a strange smell during the rain. Has anyone else experienced that before?
PS, for those inquiring minds -- there was absolutely zero ice or snow encountered on any area of Skyline.
Happy hiking!
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