First Timer Followup

[cgrizzard]

Wow - what an incredible hike!

We left Thursday morning from the museum at 2:30 am (it was 95 degrees at the bottom). We got confused around 1400' at the first intersection. One sign said Tram only and pointed towards the Ramon trailhead. We started towards that direction but quickly realized it was going back down. We got back on the right trail and saw all the warnings (ticks, scorpions, snakes, heat, no water, death, etc). Oh well, we came from GA so we had to keep moving.

Over the next mile, i think we saw two signs with conflicting mileage and completion times. That seemed a little confusing. The next milestone was an unbelievable sunrise around 4000 feet. It was spectacular. This section was great (relatively cool, nice breeze, not too steep and a great view of the city).

Then it got ugly. The last 2000' was steep! We had no problem follwing the trail until we were about 500' from the top at the tram station. We came to a gully and lost the trail (another sign or arrow here would be nice). At that point, we headed straight up hill on hands and feet bushwacking the gully. This was extremely steep with loose gravel, rocks and pine straw. About 50' from the top we ran into the trail which we took to the top.

overall, it was extremely hard, but an absolute blast. You locals have one of the best hikes in the country.

thanks for your advice and whatever part you play in maintaining the trail.

Chip

[halhiker]

Wow is right. Glad you made it alive. Up top it is possible to get off route but I don't think there are going to be any signs since it's not an official trail. Besides, if someone does put up a sign one of us would probably take it down.

[guest]

Glad you "enjoyed" the hike, being from Georgia surely helped in this weather.
I agree with Hal, many want to make this some kind of official trail, but most of us locals ( including the gov agencies) consider this a cross-country route, so signs & paint are not welcome in this beautiful wilderness.

Hope you can come out and do the hike again someday.

ss