C2C2C-Saturday October 9th

[Ellen]

Howdy Steve

Absolutely hilarious -- thanks for the great laugh

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[lightgy]

"..and they ALL hate the cement switchbacks... "

Only because my crampons don't grip very well.

[Ellen]

Howdy Lightgy

"..and they ALL hate the cement switchbacks... "

Only because my crampons don't grip very well.

Forget about the crampons, I keep hoping to catch a ride up the ramp And that's only after Skyline

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[lesper4]

So how was the hike?

[neverwashasbeen]

I'm also eager to see some TRs. I spent a few hours hanging out near the top of the Skyline and saw at least 30 people going up.

[bluerail]

.....yea, I saw you "hanging out", I thought that was you.

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Drove into the museum and saw the parking lit up by a swarm of head lamps. Haven't seen this many people in the parking lot since Skunk's moonlight Skyline hike last May. Gave a quick hug to my pain sister Tina and Doreen the Skyline Queen before the group flew up the trail.

I started in the back as it takes me a while to warm up. It's also easier for me to follow the headlamps By the picnic tables, I realized I had to significantly slow down and find my own pace or I would explode. As I reached Shade Rock, I could feel a blessed breeze and the sun had just started to appear over the Chocolate mountains.

Sunrise on Skyline is always magical. The Salton Sea glimmers and San Jacinto turns orange-ish pink. As I crested the switchbacks above Shade Rock, I saw the silhoutte of two hikers watching the dawn break. Reveled in the breeze as I made my way up the ridge towards 4 K. I saw Tina ahead of me. Bless her, she backed off on the pace so I could catch up. We made our way through the lovely Enchanted Garden up the ridge.

Tina's group stopped at 5 K for a fuel break. I was finally feeling halfway decent and continued on, knowing that my Waterloo (the Never Ending Ridge) lay ahead. I caught up with Robin and my mate Mark before Tombstone Rock and we stayed together to Flat Rock. Met two nice guys taking a fuel break. One said I looked familiar and then asked "Are you the woman who..." I've decided I should wear a sign of my back saying "Yes -- that was me."

Mark and Robin wanted to maintain their momemtum, so we kept the break short. As much as I love snacking and resting at Flat Rock, I struggle afterwards. We started heading up through the trees and heard Tina's group coming into Flat Rock. For the first time in months, I felt good in the manzanita and picked up the pace. Started catching up with other hikers at the beginning of the traverse. At this point, I was on a mission and went by my Riverside friend Don (LcplHughes) and Danny (Wild) without recognizing them -- sorry guys

Caught up with another hiker who asked if there was a waffle house or Starbucks up ahead and whether I was doing a C2C. Told him no, I was doing the C2B -- Cactus to Bar Finally popped out at the blessed BFR -- Coffman's Crag -- and began the final assault. It's always a relief to reach Grubb's Notch, rip off the pack, and hang out. I consider this the pre-tram bar social hour

Tina's stalwart group refueled and headed over the Ranger Station for permits for San J and the Skyliners scrambled up to the rocks to the tram viewing platform. Unfortunately, there was a problem with the draft beer, so we had to settle for bottled beer Hopefully the weather will permit another Skyline next weekend.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[EMan]

C2B!
Luv it!

[Sally]

After a rather unsuccessful attempt at catching a few winks, I headed to PS and arrived at the museum at about 2:00. I'm kind of sorry I missed the parking lot hikers convention that occurred later in the morning, but if there was any chance that I was going to do a C2C2C I needed the early start. I had a snack, put on my shoes, and gathered my gear. As I was about to start out on my own, Dan ("drndr"), Justin, and Matt pulled up and graciously allowed me to tag along.

We got going at 2:25. We kept a steady pace with short hourly breaks, just long enough to gulp down a gel. A pair of headlamps bobbed up the hill behind us and we speculated about who it might be. Finally the sun began to rise and, as Ellen said, everything took on an eerily beautiful pinkish hue. It lasted only briefly, and soon we were hiking in sunlight.

We only took a quick break at Flat Rock. Then we started the steepies. I always shift into slow gear at this stretch, and not wanting to hold my hiking buddies back I let them go on ahead. Soon the hikers that had been following us caught up with me. They turned out to be SDathlete and Mike. I hiked with them for awhile and then let them go on ahead too. Then Steve and Fern whizzed by. As I was nearing the last switchbacks I bumped into Steve again, this time on his way back down.

I picked up my permit at the ranger station and had breakfast while chatting with a ranger before heading for the peak. I thought it was going to be a piece of cake compared to Skyline, but I felt sluggish. I took my time and talked to a lot of hikers on the way up. When I reached the peak there must have been 100 folks up there! Way different from my weekday hikes when I sometimes get lonely because I'm the only one up there.

I made my way back to the tram by 3:45. The trip took 3 1/2 hours less than my first C2C. I opted out of doing the full C2C2C and took the tram down.

I think I could have kept up with my hiking partners if I didn't have so much junk in my pack. I try to be prepared for whatever, and I carry a bunch of stuff I seldom use (light jacket, spare batteries 10 essentials etc.) and I had 2 qts. of water left over at the end of the hike. How do you guys keep your packs so light?

Thank you Dan and company for letting me tag along - I really appreciated it! And thanks SDathlete for getting us all together!

[lesper4]

Soudns good Ellen and Sally...you too must have both down a C2C. What about the group doing the whole C2C2C?

Having never been on the trail it soudns like there are a lot of land marks points. I cant wait to see pictures!