Skyline Trail conditions

[maxsands]

Hi Cy,

This is M&L from San Diego.

We are entertaining the idea of hiking the Skyline trail this coming weekend (Sat April 18th) and were wondering if it can be hiked yet.

Will we need and special gear to hike this coming weekend (Crampons, gaiters, etc)?

Thanks,

Max

P.S. Anyone have and insights into trail conditions?

[Cy Kaicener]

Hi Max - This weekend you would have needed ice axe and crampons but who knows what conditions will be like next week end. I will go either this Saturday or next (25th) depending on what I hear from trip reports.

[bluerail]

This is what it looked like yesterday

[FIGHT ON]

that second pic gives me the creeps!

[Pup]

I just did skyline today. Still a bunch of snow near the top which left the trail covered and not enough people to imprint the snow. Glad I know the way. I did it as a run/powerwalk and posted a 5:01 to Long Valley. I thought I could break 4hrs but losing/finding the trail was my undoing near the end. Beautiful day, though...nothing like the pics above. I'm burnt to a crisp!

[bluerail]

I gotta say, yesterday was a real treat with that weather that blew in. It was beautiful up there.

[tinaballina]

it was a good hike, this weekend should be beautiful and perfect melting conditions. i can't wait although i won't be able to do skyline saturday with everyone, i will be on it sunday for sure.

[Zé]

do you guys get a like a "season pass" from the tram for all the descents you take with them?

[zippetydude]

I did a couple of years. It was nice, because once I had paid for it, I felt free to go anytime just for quick runs to the peak, etc. I ended up doing Skyline quite a few times as well when I had the annual pass, so it paid for itself.

Recently, I've been doing more in the San G wilderness, and since I'm only on San J occasionally I just pay each time at the top. If you do a few trips to the peak, Caramba, etc., though, then the year pass quickly becomes a good deal since you'd be paying for a round trip ticket each time.

z

[tinaballina]

Yes Ze, I got my moneys worth last year doing 20 ascents (which would have cost me $220.). Wow, just figuring that out now, i could have got a new pair of shoes....lol....that doesn't include the times i took the tram up and hiked to the peak.