December trip: Mt. Jacinto, C2C2C vs. Snow Creek?

[glowingrock]

I will be in the Palms Springs area the weekend of December 11th and 12th and I'm considering hiking the Cactus to Clouds trail or possibly the Snow Creek route up the mountain. Is there anyone out there that has an opinion on which to do? Anyone that wants to do one of them with me?

I've done some big hikes including the Timberline Trail around Mt. Hood in one day, a 53 mile day from Lake Michigan to Lake Superior in one day, the entire 5-7 backpacking Coastal Trail in Lake Superior Provincial Park in one day and I climbed Mt. Adams and Mt. Madison last February in New Hampshire. I have crampons and an ice axe.

What do you think?

[hvydrt]

It really depends on the weather. If it hasn't snowed yet, people will still be doing C2C. Most people don't climb snow creek until the spring when the avalanche danger is lower and the snow is firm. In either case its best to hike with someone who has done the route before.

Take a look at this trip report from that same time last year: http://www.mtsanjacinto.info/viewtopic.php?t=1975&start=0

[neverwashasbeen]

If there is snow in Snow Creek, which there should be in early December, expect it to be mostly powder, and possibly deep. My late December climb a long time ago had waist deep powder the last 2,000 vertical feet.

[bluerail]

check your pm's

[Perry]

Snow Creek is a really bad idea with powder snow.

[hvydrt]

Most people

check your pm's

"Most people" doesn't include Fernando and Steve (bluerail)

[bluerail]

Thanks Mark, but your not doing any better than Fern and I when it comes suffering for fun.

...and your photos are so enjoyable