C2C in early May

[Polis]

Hi
I'm a newbie here. I'm planning a C2C (Museum to Tram to San Jacinto to Tram) possibly on May 14. Would I need to worry about snow?
I'm probably a beginner to intermediate hiker. Would I get lost not able to find the trail?
Do I need a permit for any part of the trail? Need advanced reservation?
I did a Whitney main trail last July. Eyeing on this trail for this May
Thanks a lot
P.

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi
I'm a newbie here. I'm planning a C2C (Museum to Tram to San Jacinto to Tram) possibly on May 14. Would I need to worry about snow?
I'm probably a beginner to intermediate hiker. Would I get lost not able to find the trail?
Do I need a permit for any part of the trail? Need advanced reservation?
I did a Whitney main trail last July. Eyeing on this trail for this May
Thanks a lot
P.

It's hard to say about snow in May. Might be snow free. Might not. It depends on the year. You'd just have to keep an eye on the forum here or call the ranger station.

The "trail" is more of a route, although it was a true trail in the 1930's. How are you with topo maps and route finding?

You wll need a permit to go from the tram area to the peak. You can fill out a permit at the ranger station in Long Valley.

The real question though is are you in shape for a C2C? Most people consider Whitney a training hike for C2C. If you did Whitney and it was no problem, maybe you can do a C2C. C2C is much steeper.

Also, weather is critical. It can be super hot in May. People have died on the route in the heat. Plan very carefully.

HJ

[Ellen]

Howdy P

Agree with HJ Check this forum for conditions on Skyline. Also recommend doing Skyline to the tram (10 miles, 8 K gain) before doing a full C2C -- Skyline to San Jacinto Peak to tram (22 miles, 11 K gain).

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Polis]

Thanks for the replies
Will check back often till doing the hike.
So I gathered no permit is needed to go up to the tram station, and need one going up from there. Do I need to reserve one? Like the case for Whitney?
Thanks

[neverwashasbeen]

Polis, the permits are self serve outside the ranger station, no reservation needed.

[Polis]

Just thought of a technical question
How do I get from the tram station after coming down back to the trail head, presumably the museum? Are they closeby? Certainly would not be in the mood of a walk on the street after the hike

[Hikin_Jim]

Just thought of a technical question
How do I get from the tram station after coming down back to the trail head, presumably the museum? Are they closeby? Certainly would not be in the mood of a walk on the street after the hike

The tram station and the museum are miles apart. Most people hitch or get a cab.

HJ

[Polis]

After reading more about the C2C trail, I'm now a bit concerned of getting lost.
It seems the Skyline trail is a straight trail relatively well marked with the white dots on rocks, but the trail to the summit may not be.
I'm planning on a solo hike while this is my first time in the area.
No prior experience reading USGS maps either. Reading the Freedom to the Hills book to learn now
Is a GPS necessary? Is finding the trail going to be a problem for this early May hike (presumably no snow to cover the dots, and good visibility)?
Thanks a lot
P

[Sally]

Hi Polis,
You've got it backwards - the Skyline trail is not really a straight trail, but rather a route; the trail to the summit is a well-marked trail. Yes, there are white dots on the lower portion of the Skyline trail but they are not reliable for navigation around all the shortcuts in that section.
Map reading skills can't hurt and a GPS can be helpful. The best way to keep on route until you get familiar with it is to tag along with people who know the trail. This is pretty easy to do on a nice weekend day.

[93ludegirl]

dude, the only place its marked with "dots" and lil time numbers, is on the Lykken part, at the very beginning. after the first 1.5 mi. yer on yer own. the next couple miles are easy to see the trail, but then it slowly gets thinner and more difficult to see the route. you REALLy have to pay attention your first time and be sure of your route finding skills. Heck, I have been up there alot when theres no snow, and that last 3/4 mile wen yer right by the tram cables, i still never can even see the stupid route, i just go UP until I cross it again near the top, lol. _this is NOT a marked trail! I dont know what book yer reading thats telling you it IS marked, but trust me, it aint, whoever wrote what you read about it being marked has either never been there, or is trying to get new people killed/lost! Maybe have someone whos been up there b4 go with you??

Ha- i just seen Sallys post beat me to it...and said it nicer, lol