Is Skyline The Greatest Elevation Gain?

[magikwalt]

Here's the quote I'm questioning: "Telescope Peak rises 11,049' from the salt flats below sea level at Badwater in Death Valley. This hike offers the greatest vertical gain of any direct route in the continental United States."

The hike begins 253' below sea level and therefore has what appears to be an 11,302' elevation gain. Isn't this about the same gain as Skyline? I was under the impression that Skyline held the "record" for greatest vertical gain.

The route up looks to be about 16 miles which means its certainly on par with the total distance/elevation gain for Skyline. This route uses a shuttle to reduce the down hike to 7 miles.

Anyone know of this place. Wonder if there might be a Waffle House near there?

[Hikin_Jim]

I hear there's a Waffle House on top just like at San G.

Cy's site says "The Palm Springs Skyline Trail to the Aeriel Tramway is 11 miles long with over 8000 ft. of elevation gaIin. If you go to the top of Mt San Jacinto it is 23 miles long with 10,500 ft of gain." The gain on C2C is just shy of Telescope by 800' give or take.

Perhaps it's not really a fair comparison to C2C or Telescope, but there is (or at least there was) a bike and hike called the "Whitney Classic" that consists of a bike ride from Bad Water (-250) up and over a couple of intermediate mountain ranges to Whitney Portal where the hike portion begins, ending at the top of Mt Whitney (+14,500), for a raw gain of about 14,750. If you factor in the intermediate ranges, it's substantially more.

Z-dude, you ready for that one? I hear they have nice blackened bananas lining the entire route...

[magikwalt]

That Bike hike I believe is now one race as a run only. Check out www.badwater.com

I told the wife we were going on an adventure outing in July!

[Hikin_Jim]

This is the one I was thinking of, but that Ultra sounds just as hard core:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitney_Classic

Um, I'm "sure" your wife will "enjoy the ride."

[Cy Kaicener]

In answer to - Is Skyline the greatest elevation gain? - Check out this website -
http://www.angelfire.com/or/petermarsh/stsclimbs.htm

[magikwalt]

Telescope Peak isn't that far from here and it sounds like a C2C with a shuttle thrown in. Certainly not to be done this time of year. Anyone hiked in the Death Valley area and got some knowledge of this?

http://www.climber.org/TripReports/2001/834.html

Apparently there is a good water source about 4,000ft into the hike. Also a family route that is about 14 miles round trip. Late June to Oct is the best time to go.

[zippetydude]

Late June to October?

z

[magikwalt]

Hi ZippetyDude,

I just put in the months they had listed. I gather there is a weather risk later in the year. I really didn't understand the late June thing myself.

Walt

[Hikin_Jim]

Nothing like hikers climbing peaks in D Valley in August -- if you're in the mortuary biz!

Furnace Creek is supposed to be 116 today, in late June. Aug should be "a lot of fun."

[zippetydude]

Maybe they meant late June OR October, thus avoiding ice but staying away from the crazy hot months.

During the hot months, there are plenty of beautiful trails like the loop(s) above the tram around the San J Wilderness, almost everything in the San G Wilderness, and the Sierras.

I noticed some postings (Whitney Portal board) that the Whitney main trail is already open and clear. I was surprised it was so early in the year. I imagine the Telescope Peak timing would be working off a similar schedule, just leaving out the middle to avoid the heat.

z