Saturday Skyline

[Kathryn61]

We went up Skyline Saturday, 1-12-13, and the conditions were quite different from what I read about Wednesday's Skyline. From Flatrock up we hit, very soft, dry powder. Ice was underneath, but deep enough to not be an issue. Once in the Traverse, the snow became deeper, perhaps 6 inches to a foot in places. We have photos that show the conditions of the snow in the Traverse.

If you start at photo #18, you can see the conditions from Flatrock and up.

http://www.meetup.com/Hiking-Coachella- ... /12569162/

All in all it was a beautiful Skyline, though very cold. The temps were about 25 degrees from the Traverse to Long Valley.

Kathryn

[Ellen]

Howdy Kathryn

Thanks so much for the TR and pictures I love cold Skylines.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

Nice photos. Looks like a nice time.

When did they put up that sign?


HJ

[halhiker]

All in all it was a beautiful Skyline, though very cold. The temps were about 25 degrees from the Traverse to Long Valley.

Kathryn

Only 25°? Had Ellen been along I'm sure she'd still be wearing shorts.

[HH8]

conditions were quite different

Thanks for the weather update

[Hikin_Jim]

Only 25°? Had Ellen been along I'm sure she'd still be wearing shorts.

You think she'd wear that much?

HJ

[Kathryn61]

Skyline is funny that way...I was wearing shorts too for most of the way up and at the same time I had to wear gloves and a few layers up top. It seems the legs are the last to get cold. I wonder if there is a reason for that...Oh and while my legs were fine, my toes were freezing! Ellen, why is that??

[Wild]

I'm no expert, but I'd say that since hiking mainly works the legs, your warmed up muscles keep them warm. As for the toes, well, we don't really have much (if any at all?) muscles in there. Also, the toes are the very extremities of our bodies.. and when your core temperature goes down, your body focuses on keeping the core warm and neglects to send as much blood to your feet..

Just my 2 cents

[Stockwell]

Are microspikes all you need for the Traverse? My hiking bud and I want to head up mid-late February to do our first trip up skyline, maybe even go for C2C. I know there will be snow on the Traverse, which is really my only worry. Will MicroSpikes do or would Crampons and Axe be more appropriate? I have no experience with Crampons and Axe though

Beautiful photos, much inspiration! Thanks indeed!!!

[Hikin_Jim]

There's no way to tell yet. Your best bet is to assess conditions 3 days before and then again right before you go.

If it's really icy, then crampons and axe are probably warranted, particularly if there's no tread stomped down. Keep in mind though that crampons and an axe require a) training and b) practice.

If it's just packed snow, then microspikes would probably be OK.

I'd keep an ear to the ground and have a "Plan B" in mind.

HJ