C2C/SKYLINE: CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER. COME BACK IN OCTOBER.

[halhiker]

I came across this thread as I was preparing for a climb of San Jacinto via the Snow Creek Village / Pacific Crest Trail / Little Round Valley route. I completed the trip yesterday with no major problems.

I'm writing because, quite frankly, I was nearly scared off by the predictions of doom and destruction. I was thinking, "am I missing something? I've done this sort of hike before but maybe C2C or PCT is just the killer of all trails? Am I certain to DIE if I attempt this?" (Although PCT is not exactly the same hike as C2C, it's similar enough that most of the same considerations apply.)

Of course to do this type of hike you have to be prepared with lots of water, sun protection, good conditioning and common sense. But, I agree with those who state that if someone tells everyone that they can't do this hike, eventually people will just ignore said advice... which is what I wound up doing.

Cautionary is good, alarmist... ehh not so much.

Good hiking to all.

PS. As per the blog title, is the Skyline Trail actually "closed" by authorities for the summer? Or is that just the opinion of the author that it should not be attempted?

You're probably lucky the temps were fairly mild yesterday. The PCT is also a bit gentler of a climb with some shade early and once you get past the burned area below Fuller Ridge. There is no shade on the Skyline and no turning back. If you go down, you will die.

I don't know if it's alarmist to be weary of seeing idiots year after year get into trouble biting off more than they can chew. Skyline isn't technically closed in the summer but maybe it should be and, if people keep coming into town who have no clue about the seriousness of the undertaking, maybe it will be.

[bluerail]

Come on Cynthia, sit up, takes some deep breaths....relax and think good thoughts...everything will be ok....

Im stocking boxes saturday...anybody wanna help ?

[cynthia23]

Thank you fellas! I'm feeling much better now!

Can't help with the restocking on Saturday BlueRail--raincheck? Thanks for doing this.

[Ellen]

Howdy All,

I went up Skyline with Perry A and Sister Sally on Wednesday. We left at 4:15 AM. The starting temperature was in the mid-60's. Better yet, we had a wonderful breeze, which helped cool us off. We were at 3 K by the time the sun came up. We arrived arrived at Grubbs Notch at 9:45 and took the first tram down.

I specifically avoided Skyline last Saturday and Sunday due to the heat. I took advantage of the freakish cool weather on Wednesday to sneak another in another Skyline.

As Hal noted, Wednesday was unseasonably cool and the PCT isn't as steep -- it takes 18 miles to gain the elevation that Skyline gains in 10 miles.

[quote="halhiker"]
You're probably lucky the temps were fairly mild yesterday. The PCT is also a bit gentler of a climb with some shade early and once you get past the burned area below Fuller Ridge. There is no shade on the Skyline and no turning back. If you go down, you will die. [quote]

For those who feel that board members are being "alarmist" about warning against hiking Skyline in the heat:

1) Since I've joined the board in spring 2007, the Powers that Be in Palm Springs have discussed closing the trail when a large number of hikers are rescued or someone loses their life.

2) The locals such as Doreen, Scott Scott, Andy Holinger, Grandmaster P, Cynthia, etc. and long timers such as Cy who have been hiking Skyline for years have been subjected to continued threats of closing this beloved route when ignorant (and perhaps arrogant) hikers ignore well-meaning advice to hike elsewhere when it's hot.

3) A Skyline rescue may place SAR members such as RMRU, San Jacinto Rangers and even tram employees at risk of injury or worse.

4) A Skyline rescue diverts Rangers, tram employees and SAR members from other essential duties.

Before hikers attempt Skyline in the heat, I ask them to please consider these points.

From the heart,
Ellen

[bobodobo]

Well I don't know a gentler slope make a hike easier... gentle or steep, either way you have X elevation to gain and personally I can gain X elevation more quickly in 10 miles than 18 miles of trail. Also I haven't done Skyline yet, but my impression is that it's almost all uphill whereas PCT has A LOT of downhill stretches which add to the effort required.

And yes I know that the starting elevation is lower on Skyline, but there you have a guarantee of relief at 8500', whereas on PCT there is none - there was nobody on Black Mountain Road nor at the Fuller Ridge campground that day. By the way, just looking at Google Earth it seems like the trees start at about the same elevation on either route, so the shade issue appears to be a push.

But the bottom line is always the same... if you're going to hike in the desert in the summer, you need to be prepared in terms of weather, water, route finding, sun protection and (most importantly) a realistic assessment of your group's capabilities. It's really no different on San Jacinto than any other hike.

PS. Would you also be in favor of closing PCT for the summer?

[Ellen]

Bobododo,

You did not address any of my points regarding the overall effects of a Skyline rescue on local hikers, tram employees, and SAR.

I do not advocate closing any trail. I agree that hikers should be prepared and responsible.

I feel that you want to argue. I do not.

Enough said.

Ellen

[Zé]

Well I don't know a gentler slope make a hike easier... gentle or steep, either way you have X elevation to gain and personally I can gain X elevation more quickly in 10 miles than 18 miles of trail.

Maybe you don't, but I do. A gentler slope does make a hike easier. Easy slopes (let's say < 15%) mean you won't be exerting as hard at a walking pace as you would at > 20% grade. You would have be be running up the PCT to be exerting as hard as you would walking up Skyline.

Were you running up the PCT? No. So you comparison is invalid.

[zippetydude]

Ow! C'mon you guys, don't jump him for an honest post! He hasn't been disrespectful and made (I think) some valid points. It's a tough trail, but I myself don't jump to the conclusion that having to hike back down is certain death. No worries, we all love the same wilderness.

z

[neverwashasbeen]

I think the heat is starting to get to some people.

[Perry]

Maybe there should be rule of not starting topics in all caps. It seems to generate a lot of heat.

I can see both sides here. On the one hand, it is possible for a few people, and hearing somebody say it's impossible just sounds like a challenge. 10 years ago I probably would have started at noon in July with 3 gallons of frozen sports drink just to prove that it can be done. Stupid, yes.

On the other hand, I would strongly warn anybody thinking about doing it in the heat that it can be very dangerous and possibly deadly and explain that it's more fun when it's cooler. But if somebody really really wants to do Skyline in the summer, there may be no talking them out of it. In that case I would recommend 3 gallons of ice and 3 bags of pretzels.