Cactus to Clouds trail question

[KathyW]

Ze: That sounds about right for what I'd say is an average speed hiker (me) - it takes me at least 7 hours to do Skyline, and about 13 hours to do C2C with a ride down on the tram; so 19 hours would be about right for me to do the whole enchilada. I could get lucky and do it in 18 hours, but I doubt it because that section from Long Valley to Palm Spring on the way out isn't all downhill.

Kathy

[Rumpled]

I've seen the equation before trying to add distance and elevation change to get hiking time, but yours is much better ze!

I think my factor might be something like 2.5 ro 3.0 since Tram to Summit took me ~3.5 hours total time last year.

[Rick Kent]

Don't forget the BEER factor. If pizza and beer are discussed during the hike (especially on the way down) the scaling factor is reduced and is directly proportial to the number of times the word BEER is spoken. When the words "I'm buying" are added the scaling factor is effectively elimated. Conversely if employment or marital problems are discussed the scaling factor increases exponentially.

[Nikolai]

I have been hiking down from Long Valley on my C2C hikes ever since
several years ago the tram began in earnest to collect $11 for the trip
down. The hike down from Long Valley to the Museum takes about
3 hours (that makes somewhat more than 12 hours for the whole
C2C trip). One feels increasingly energetic as one descends to lower
elevations. I encourage everybody to do likewise: go up to the tram counter
and when they ask for the $11 say that you are going to hike down and
do so. Boycott the tram. Of course the best time for hiking C2C is when
the tram is in maintenance in September.

Nikolai

[tinaballina]

Don't forget the BEER factor. If pizza and beer are discussed during the hike (especially on the way down) the scaling factor is reduced and is directly proportial to the number of times the word BEER is spoken. When the words "I'm buying" are added the scaling factor is effectively elimated. Conversely if employment or marital problems are discussed the scaling factor increases exponentially.

How is the "tip" factored into all of this?

[Rick F]

I'm gonna to go out on a limb here and suggest that Rick Kent and Nicolai are substantially faster than the average hiker. For any of you first timers out there please remember that your actual milage may vary. In other words don't underestimate the time and effort it will take.

I consider myself to hike at about average speed, I'm definitely not a Sierra Challenge speed record setter. I hiked the Skyline trail for my first time about a month ago. It took me and my friend seven hours to get to the tram station from the Museum. Although I've hiked San J. from other trails in winter and summer, this was my first time on Skyline. The next time I set out from the Museum, I'll try to make it to the summit and back to the tram. I'll make another run at it in December if the trail is not too icey.

It is a personal goal of mine to eventually complete the entire 35 mile Cactus to Clouds round trip, car to car, without assistance from the tram or taxis. I anticipate that I'll be able to make the entire round trip in about 16 or 17 hours.

[Jeff List]

I did the full C2C2C on Nov. 25, 2008 in 11:14 and will give it another go on Nov. 25 this year. If anyone wants' to join me, that would great.

I live in Massachusetts, but come out every year for my Daughter's field hockey tournament in Indio.

Also, there's a web site that records the "fastest known times" (FKT) for lots of mountain/trail routes. See:
http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/

If anyone knows the FKT for the C2C2C or just the C2C, let me know, or post to:
http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/i ... &thread=49

thanks,

Jeff

[magikwalt]

I have been hiking down from Long Valley on my C2C hikes ever since
several years ago the tram began in earnest to collect $11 for the trip
down. The hike down from Long Valley to the Museum takes about
3 hours (that makes somewhat more than 12 hours for the whole
C2C trip). One feels increasingly energetic as one descends to lower
elevations. I encourage everybody to do likewise: ...
Nikolai

I think that 12 hours up and down for the C2C trip is pretty quick and Rick Kent proved it can be done. Rick's brisk pace means going just as fast on the steep sections as he does on the flat parts. I'm no Rick Kent and I don't believe I could make it in 12 hours. For the average hiker 12 hours up and down C2C isn't going to be happening. I would hate for some hiker to go out and do a C2C, get back to the tram and decide to keep walking thinking they will feel more energetic as they decend. There is some energy in Palm Springs but not that much!