New to Group - Skyline

[rggibbons]

Hi there - I'm new to this group and just wanted to introduce myself, and hope it's okay to post this here.

I'd love to try to do Skyline later this year, or maybe even C2C if I don't poop out, but am a little worried about the safety issues. I'm no triathlete by any means but do fairly well. I did Mount Baldy from Baldy Village a few weeks ago, and did the ascent in 3 1/2 hours. Also did Pikes Peak in Colorado with a friend last month as a dayhike (26 miles round trip). And I just did Mount Whitney for the first time on Monday and had a great time and posted some pictures online...

http://tengrandmovie.com/temp/mt_whitney/page.html

As for Skyline, I'm wondering if there are any groups doing it in late October, or early November that would let me tag along. I sometimes hike alone but I understand it's not a good idea to do that on Skyline if you're unfamiliar with the trail. I've read some accounts saying it's pretty well marked and easy to follow and others saying it's very sketchy, especially in the middle and up on top. I'm also a little worried about running into ice and snow on the upper part if I wait too long.

Anyway, thanks for any advice anyone can pass along. I've enjoyed reading the posts here. ~Robert

[tinaballina]

Welcome Robert,

Doing skyline solo is not a good idea at all. I think your chances of catching people doing skyline/c2c october and november are very high. In fact, 50% of this board will be doing it every weekend.
Look forward to seeing you on the trail.

[rggibbons]

Thanks so much, Tina! I really appreciate your post and advice. I've been reading some and got that same impression, that going solo's not a good idea at all. Hearing about hikers dying in the heat is really scary!

I hope I can maybe connect with a group and see some of you on the trail. It sounds really amazing!

[Ellen]

Howdy Robert

Welcome to the forum Your time up Baldy via Bear Canyon is similar to mine -- you're welcome to join me once the weather cools off. Also recommend stopping at the tram on your first Skyline. As Tina noted, you'll have plenty of company this fall.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[rggibbons]

Thanks so much, Ellen! That would be wonderful. Maybe we can stay in touch for when it gets cooler, or if there are others you're hiking with too I'd love to join you!

That Baldy trail was really something. I found coming down even tougher than going up - that thing's brutal on your toes and knees. But the view is stunning. The day I did it San Gorgonio and San Jacinto were just poking up through the clouds. It was incredible.

Thanks again! ~Robert

[zippetydude]

Hi Robert. Again, welcome!

If you've done Whitney, I think Skyline is comparable, but with heat as the sneaky factor instead of altitude. I did Skyline in October the first time I went, and saw 20 or so people along the way. I got off trail a couple of times up top, then simply stopped and waited for someone to pass me and show me where the trail was. It's a friendly crew, just a bunch of hikin' fools. Hope to see you out there on the trail.

Incidentally, you probably won't need to wait til late October. If you start reasonably early (which on Skyline means well before dawn) then the autumn weather is usually fine in early October as long as there's no heat wave.

z

[rggibbons]

Thanks so much, Z! Yes, that pesky heat sounds pretty scary. I would definitely want to start way before dawn with a couple flashlights. I don't think I'd want to try it alone but hopefully I can tag along with Ellen and some other folks here.

Hope to see you out on the trail or at one of those meetup hikes. I see references to you all over the place! Take care, Robert