Congrats to all the first timers!

[zippetydude]

Great day for Skyline - cool to cold the whole time and great company from some regulars, semi-regulars (like second and third timers) and some first timers as well. Too bad we missed Ellen (Hi Ellen!) and whoever hit the trail with her...we started a little after 6 and took a kinda leisurely pace, so we didn't catch up to them.

Congrats to Dave on his first through hike, and to several other first timers that we met and spoke to at the top but didn't get their names.

Fern is officially a monster, having completed a 100 miler last weekend, then buzzing up Skyline like it was nothing today.

In any case, thanks to all for great companionship! May be my last Skyline til October, so it was fun to see you all.

z

[Ellen]

Howdy Z

I'm so sorry we missed you Cindy, Perry A, Robert and I started a bit after 4:30 AM out of habit I don't mind doing that first section in the dark and love looking down at the lights of Palm Springs.

Congratulations to Perry A for his "first time" doing Skyline two days in a row It was warm and humid on Friday -- I had an interesting pattern of salt stains on my shirt when we reached the tram.

The cool temperatures on Saturday were an absolute gift -- I couldn't believe how much better I felt compared to Friday. Also didn't have the salt stains on my shirt at the tram.

Someone wrote "I'm sorry" on a rock at about 7 K -- anyone know what that's about?

Checking the forecast for this weekend -- looks like we're back to ugly hot weather. I'll be starting my hikes in the pine trees from here on out unless we get another freakishly cool day.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi Everyone,
That was really a great day on Skyline. It was so nice to see
all of you again. I did #269 but I don't think I will be going back up
till it gets cooler again. So nice to see Steve, Fern, Zip, and of course
my Tina. It felt like old times again on Skyline. Hiked with Katherine
for awhile and then continued on till she caught up with me in tree line area.
All we were missing was Ellen and it would have been complete.
I think its time to go to San G for awhile and work on that peak!
Stay safe and happy trails to all.
Doreen

[Ellen]

Howdy My Skyline Queen Doreen

Arrgh! The only problem with that 4 AM start was that we missed seeing you, Zip, my pain sista Tina and other friends. Congratulations on #269.

Vivian is open!!! Time to return to San Gorgonio.

Miles of smiles and hugs,
Ellen

[zippetydude]

San G is perfect right now. I did it on Monday from SF and didn't step on one bit of snow. I'm hoping to hit Vivian soon. If someone gets a permit and doesn't mind putting a bigger number of hikers on it, a few extras can piggyback on a friend's permit. If I'm able to get a permit I'll reserve a couple extra spots and then I'll post the day and time, and of course anyone/everyone is invited along. Varying paces don't matter, it's just important to be on a permit.

z

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi Zip.and Ellen
Because of the heat, I'm going to be on San G tomorrow. I love that
trail. We will be taking the South Fork route, not Vivian. Maybe I will
see you once again on that trail. Will be with Katherine and Jack, Joe
and Jeff. Not sure how many people are on the permit. You might want
to contact katherine and see if there is room. We are leaving the desert
around 4:30 a.m. If not this time, then hopefully I will see you once
again.
Doreen

[Ellen]

Howdy Doreen

Wish I could join you tomorrow but I'll be in Palm Springs giving a talk at a sports medicine conference. Pretty ironic -- my San Jacinto buds will be cooling off on Gorgonio and I'll be baking in Palm Springs Normally I try to work in a Skyline around this conference but it's too darn hot.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi Ellen,
Sorry we missed you on San G. What a perfect day to hike. The
temp was great and for some reason it didn't seem like a long hike up
this time. It went pretty fast for me even though it still took me hours
to reach the sign right below the peak. I stop at that point and rest for
about 15 minutes and start the climb down. I really start to feel it
the last hour. It just seems like its not going to end. It was worth it.
It hard to describe to people that beautiful moonscape above 11,000ft.
I love that area. It took me awhile to turn and walk away from it. It
just seems to take my breath away with its raw stark beauty. How blessed
we are to be able to climb and see these amazing places!!!
Look forward to seeing you soon
Happy Trails
Doreen

[tinaballina]

That was a great day, got to hang out with Zip.