Cactus to Clouds Trail Hike

[Perry]

And at night a GPS unit is a good idea. Daytime is just a bad idea I think, unless it's an unusually cool day for August, then maybe a 5:00 am start would be okay.

A better idea: you can do San Gorgonio, the tallest mountain in Southern California at 11,500 feet.
http://members.boardhost.com/sgva/

The main issue with that is avoiding thunderstorms which usually happen late morning and afternoon. Above tree line you're very exposed as you are the tallest thing around.

[t75jwk1]

Well - I posted my question and went to bed thinking about the beautiful trail to the sky and woke up this morning to thinking maybe I'll buy the postcards! Seriously, thank you for all of your advice and warning. I will likely spend the first 5 days running and seeing what the heat is all about and then decide if I'm going up the trail on Saturday morning - very early. I do have a good lamp and I have run in Las Vegas and Phoenix - both in early September (I did get in a little bit of trouble in Phoenix with running out of water during a 20 mile run).

I will also do the tram and run the top section to time myself from there to the top and back.

I guess I was making a little assumption about the heat and elevation - I was assuming that if I started early enough - perhaps 4:00am that within a few hours I would be high enough on the mountain that I wouldn't have to experience 110F heat and that possibly I could stay in the mid-80's for the duration of the run - was my thinking wrong?

Oh and where do I get one of those beacons

[kd]

I would suggest you take the tram up and run all over the top of the mountain. The temp is much nicer, there is shade cover, miles and miles of nice running trails, thinner air for training, excellent air quality (no smog), and most importantly you will be resuable. You won't endanger anyone else if you get in a jam.

Believe me, I love Skyline, but this time of year, the conditions are much better up top.

Come back and enjoy Skyline in late October.

---Kevin

[Cy Kaicener]

Here is a cactus to clouds slide show/video
http://www.arizonahikers.com/forum/modu ... deshow.php

http://hiking4health.com/video01.html

[Cobber99]

Another good test of both your tolerance to the heat and endurance would be to hike Murray Peak. There is a 7.5mi, 2,200 foot loop that, if done clockwise on the map, will show your body what 110 degree hiking feels like. I have done it a few times in 100+ temps and can tell you it's a challenge with the heat. Bring a partner. Actually, I would be up for it on an upcoming weekend.