Is this an accurate track to the tram?

[hawkbill666]

Hey all,

I have looked at all the visual tracks to the tram many times and this one has always made me pause. Visually its probably the best view of C2C and one I show people when I talk about the hike, yet something doesnt seem right at the traverse.

Take a look here:
http://images.summitpost.org/original/355988.jpg

Very close to the tram I dont see the sudden exit stage right across the traverse and then the steep up to the tram. What I see is it continues up and over and then seems to take the flat valley to the tram. At first I thought it was just not clear enough, but it seems pretty clear.

Is this an actual track that somebody made?
If yes, then why not use this in the winter to avoid cutting across the steep (and dangerous) ice chutes?

Im sure this has been addressed elsewhere, but I havent seen the answer and it would help me to know as I learn about the mountain.

Thanks

Scott

[neverwashasbeen]

"It certainly isn't right."

Following the ridge up to Long Valley, as opposed to the traverse towards Kaufman's Crag, is much more difficult and time consuming. The winter option isn't safer in my opinion, too much technical terrain to be covered.

That's just my opinion.

[Florian]

I have looked at all the visual tracks to the tram many times and this one has always made me pause.

Hi Scott,

I agree with you. I don't thing the track is accurate. It looks like perhaps someone may have drawn it from memory. It doesn't show any of the upper switcbacks and follows too many ridges in the middle section too. It gives a good idea of what the hike is about but i don't think it should be used for navigation.

I have a .kml file showing the trail from Ramon trailhead to upper tram station here that was created from an actual hike .. http://stargazing.com/blog/skyline_trail_051609.kml

-Florian

[hawkbill666]

I have a .kml file showing the trail from Ramon trailhead to upper tram station here that was created from an actual hike .. http://stargazing.com/blog/skyline_trail_051609.kml

-Florian

Thanks Florian,

The KML is perfect and in google earth it gives me so much to work with, thanks.
Of course its intimidating too....Im happy just to be in the game somewhere, and will have to settle with significantly less that 4 hours to flatrock.

Thanks again

Scott

[Florian]

Actually, now that i look at my kml track again and compare to the image you originally posted maybe it's not so far off. It just doesn't show enough detail. In the kml you hardly notice the switchbacks at the top either.

-Florian

[hawkbill666]

Actually, now that i look at my kml track again and compare to the image you originally posted maybe it's not so far off. It just doesn't show enough detail. In the kml you hardly notice the switchbacks at the top either.

-Florian

Yes, but it appears like that one does not go across the traverse at all. It specifically goes up, around the notch at the top and then across the valley. So if its real, somebody avoided the traverse...

[bluerail]

http://socalhikes.com/2009/10/skyline-p ... s-to-tram/


maybe this'll help

The traverse to Coffmans is the easiest route without a good snowbase,and with a good snowbase..it's a different story altogether..like Cameron (hasbeen) said....it's screwy above the traverse if you go up too soon and you dont know the right flute to go up in....even then it's hard...best to go over to Coffmans, turn left and go uphill.

[Zé]

i dunno, that one may be a little "off-route", steve

[bluerail]

...but the mileage is much better.

[HH8]

The problem is not that the trail is not well-marked. It's that everything every which way is marked! Seriously, up was much simpler tail locating, because most paths lead up, but coming down there were so many "dead" ends I had to backtrack.
Thanks immensely for the GoogleEarth track.