Melting on Skyline

[Ellen]

Howdy All,

Met the Craigmeister, Hengst Joe, Kathryn and 11 other intrepid souls at the museum for a 4:35 AM start. As soon as I stepped out of my car, I could feel the heat and humidity. My headlamp died on the way up to the picnic tables -- this happened on my last Skyline too, maybe it's an omen Most of the hikers were first time Skyliners. I led, Craig kept track of everyone front and back and Kathryn was trail sweep.

At the top of Shade Rock, the sunrise (hidden in clouds) looked like a large blaze in the Chocolate mountains -- absolutely gorgeous. The group stayed together nicely -- only one person turned back at Shade Rock. The play of sunlight and clouds on the Coachella valley and San Jacinto was marvelous and of course my new camera was at home. The Dynamic Duo caught us at the very beginning of the Never Ending Ridge and went on ahead. The heat was oppressive -- it felt like the oxygen had been sucked out of the air.

We took a lunch break in the trees above Flat Rock. Patti passed us, looking like she was out for a stroll. By comparison, I looked rode hard and put away wet Started up through the manzanita and started the never ending process of wiping the sweat out of my eyes so I could see. Took a short rest and picture break at the Thankyou Jesus Rocks at the beginning of the traverse. The shade and cooler, pine-scented air were revitalizing. Took pictures at Coffman's -- the first timers really enjoyed this awesome view -- before grinding up the final 400 feet to Grubbs Notch.

We regrouped in the tram bar and enjoyed celebratory beverages, then cabbed back to the car and continued to recover at Las Casuelas. It was a great day with old and now new friends.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Sally]

Hi Ellen, I don't know whether to feel bad that I missed out on all the fun and beauty, or feel lucky that I missed the heat and humidity. It kinda sounds like the fun outweighed the heat.

According to Cy, in another post, Wednesday should be a nice day for Skyline. Hmmm... maybe?

[zippetydude]

Sally: Go with lucky. Next week looks like it's shaping up to be good Skyline weather.

Ellen: I'm glad you had fun, but ugh.

Skyline is at its mysterious best in the autumn with cool temps and swirling breezes in the predawn darkness. I'm hoping to make a trip or two up soon, but I'm glad I was sleeping in my nice soft cool bed at 5:00.

Incidentally, am I getting old and soft?

z

[Florian]

Incidentally, am I getting old and soft?

Older, probably. Soft, you, never. I'm thinking next weekend looks good for me too. I did some shorter desert hikes this weekend but not Skyline.

-Florian (Getting older and softer, but that's okay.)

[Ellen]

Howdy Z

Trust me, several times I wished I was still in bed

Autumn Skylines are also my favorite. Just checked the weather -- high in Palm Springs on Wed is around 80 with a chance of snow at the tram. Talk about a complete reversal.

Howdy St. Florian

Please bring your Florians -- the Cats Claw are out in force -- ugh I couldn't believe how often they overgrew the trail and grabbed us on the way by.

Howdy Sally

I think Skyline makes the most sense on Wednesday. I don't want to hike into a snow storm on one of three saints. I've heard that's not a good idea

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[rggibbons]

Hi Ellen, That sounds like quite a hike - Fun but oppressive! Don't think I've ever experienced the real heat and humidity like that on the trail...I am planning to be in L.A. at the end of the month though and hope to make a trip up, maybe on Sunday, October 30th. It would be great to see some of the regulars if I can make it...Doing Skyline is usually one of the high points of the year (no pun intended)...Robert