A Cool Morning on Skyline 10/5/2011

[Sally]

Thanks to the enticing cool weather forecast, I didn't have any trouble twisting Ellen's arm to do Skyline with me today. We were on the trail a few minutes after 6 Am under partly cloudy skies. In a matter of minutes a classic desert sunrise began to unfold. We ditched our headlamps after 1/2 hour.

The air temp stayed cool even after the sun came up. The clouds were a sampling of all types: cirrus, stratus, cumulus (a huge ominous one over the Santa Rosas), and even some lenticulars hovering over San Gorgonio.

We had lunch at flat rock. The sun came out for a while and it felt great until a stiff breeze kicked in. Time to get moving!

Going through the manzanita was a real contrast for Ellen, who had nearly melted on Skyline last Saturday, just 5 days ago. Once we were in the pines it was so chilly that I felt compelled to keep moving to keep warm.

On the traverse we ran into a Trail Angel who was taking action against some fallen trees across the trail. Some of the large obsticals have been dealt with. Thank you, thank you!

As we neared Coffman's Crag, which had a veil of mist at the top, it began to sprinkle. By the time we reached Grubbs Notch before 12:00 it was raining with a little bit of hail and sleet mixed in. The wind was really howling with gusts that must have been 50 MPH. I was a little freaked out about the possibility of being crushed by a snapped-off tree.

At the upper tram station we began to thaw out and had ourselves some beverages. While in the boarding area we ran into two hikers that had finished Skyline right after us, one of whom knew Ellen and the other a fellow who had successfully hiked the entire PCT this year. The gentlemen had a ride waiting for them at the bottom station and were kind enough to take Ellen and me back to my car.

Of course we had a great meal at Las Consuelas. Except for getting a bit cold and wet at the very end of the hike, it was the perfect day!

Thanks, Ellen! Another great day! Did you enjoy your hot bath? I relished mine!

[Hikin_Jim]

Thanks to the enticing cool weather forecast, I didn't have any trouble twisting Ellen's arm to do Skyline with me today. We were on the trail a few minutes after 6 Am under partly cloudy skies. In a matter of minutes a classic desert sunrise began to unfold. We ditched our headlamps after 1/2 hour.

The air temp stayed cool even after the sun came up. The clouds were a sampling of all types: cirrus, stratus, cumulus (a huge ominous one over the Santa Rosas), and even some lenticulars hovering over San Gorgonio.

We had lunch at flat rock. The sun came out for a while and it felt great until a stiff breeze kicked in. Time to get moving!

Going through the manzanita was a real contrast for Ellen, who had nearly melted on Skyline last Saturday, just 5 days ago. Once we were in the pines it was so chilly that I felt compelled to keep moving to keep warm.

On the traverse we ran into a Trail Angel who was taking action against some fallen trees across the trail. Some of the large obsticals have been dealt with. Thank you, thank you!

As we neared Coffman's Crag, which had a veil of mist at the top, it began to sprinkle. By the time we reached Grubbs Notch before 12:00 it was raining with a little bit of hail and sleet mixed in. The wind was really howling with gusts that must have been 50 MPH. I was a little freaked out about the possibility of being crushed by a snapped-off tree.

At the upper tram station we began to thaw out and had ourselves some beverages. While in the boarding area we ran into two hikers that had finished Skyline right after us, one of whom knew Ellen and the other a fellow who had successfully hiked the entire PCT this year. The gentlemen had a ride waiting for them at the bottom station and were kind enough to take Ellen and me back to my car.

Of course we had a great meal at Las Consuelas. Except for getting a bit cold and wet at the very end of the hike, it was the perfect day!

Thanks, Ellen! Another great day! Did you enjoy your hot bath? I relished mine!

Nice!

I think Ellen is secretly the Energizer Bunny. JMT, HST, multiple Skylines, never even slows down. Lost in a white out? No problem, just keep hiking. The real question is just what size battery does she take? I want some of those!

HJ

[Cy Kaicener]

Great trip report Sally. I bet you got some great pictures with the clouds floating above you.
The next couple of days should still have cooler temperatures. I am tempted if I can borrow my wife's car.

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Sally and I were near St. Florian's cache when I started hearing things. I wondered if I was hearing things (this is Halloween month after all). Then we reached the first obstacle the Trail Angel had cleared

Thanks to Don (my San J buddy) and his friend Matt (our taxi) for the ride down to our car. Congrats to Don's friend Gabriel who completed the PCT It took everything I had to complete the JMT this year.

Howdy Cy

Skyline and your fellow Cyliners miss you

Howdy Trail Angel

I still owe you a beer.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Sally]

Thank you Cy. You're right, I did get some good pictures of the clouds. As always, Larry stitched together the panoramas for me.
https://picasaweb.google.com/sallymorle ... directlink

[Cy Kaicener]

Sally - Its great hiking with cloud cover as long as they dont obscure the view too much.
Ellen - I miss Skyline and my fellow Skyline regulars something fierce. I can get a ride with Maria on Saturdays. Next Saturday is an almost full moon but temperatures near 90 are predicted.
Oct 22 I hope to join the Sierra Club at 4.00 am. (if my back is okay). A guy named Dan e mailed me from Chicago saying he would like to do Skyline after reading about it on my website and blog. He has done the Grand Canyon rim to rim and Kilimanjaro.

There are 2 scheduled trips today that I know of
The Meetup Group and OTL (from Pomona)

[qpalzm]

Hey Sally & Ellen,

It's your Trail Angel, it was great to meet both of you and I look forward to chatting over the beer that you were so kind to offer. I was able to get all of those beast out of the way. It took some work, but it was worth it.

See you on the trail


Trail Angel

[Ellen]

Howdy Trail Angel

I look forward to treating you to a beer at the tram

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[qpalzm]

I look forward to it!

[bluerail]

actually..I miss doing the limbo and my landmarks....