Skyline Sat Sept 22

[Ellen]

Howdy all

Okay, it's official -- I'm hiking Skyline tomorrow. Due to the cooler weather, I'll be starting around 5:45-6:00 AM. I'm meeting another Skylie (Karin) at the parking lot at the tram at 5:30 AM to do a car stagger.

We'll gladly ferry anyone from the tram to the museum tomorrow morning and back to the museum from the tram after the hike. I'm guessing around a 6.5 hour ascent. Of course, there will be the celebratory beer at the tram before going down

I'm really looking forward to not hiking down hill. My quads still feel the Vivian descent from last Sunday

It will also be a nice change to have the extra weight in my daypack be due to rain gear and not additional water

Anyone else going?

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

Hey, Ellen, you go girl. Sounds like a great Saturday for a hike. I'm going to lay low this weekend, cause I'm doing 10K Ridge, Lake Pk, and Grinnell Mtn over in the SG Wilderness the 29th & 30th.

So when does the "regular" season for Skyline typically end. By "regular" season I mean the season where you don't have to contend with ice and snow. I assume that in November one would be pushing it, but that in October you'd probably be fine unless it's an El Niño year or something like that. Does that sound about right? I'm thinking about doing Skyline in October although I probably shouldn't since I've got a lot to do for the wedding.

[Ellen]

Howdy Jim

Holy cow, you are a glutton for punnishment I've done Grinnell ridge to the summit of San Gorgonio and back, that was enough for me

If I recall, you just did Momyer (I saw your posting on the SGWA board). I've only gone up Momyer once -- it was that psychologically devastating. I like going up the trace trail, along the ridge, down Momyer and out the old Dobbs Cabin trail. For me, even going down Momyer is too long Too bad I'm not a ultra-runner like Z-dude -- the time would pass quickly.

I did Skyline in December last year after a fresh snow. It made the last 1,500 ft climb very interesting. There was no ice, thank goodness.

Good luck on the wedding preparations. I'm glad to see you're getting outdoors soon for work stress-relief.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

Howdy Jim

Holy cow, you are a glutton for punnishment I've done Grinnell ridge to the summit of San Gorgonio and back, that was enough for me

Yeah, going up 10K ridge from Fish Creek Camp is going to be brutal. Anyone know where I can get a good body bag??

If I recall, you just did Momyer (I saw your posting on the SGWA board). I've only gone up Momyer once -- it was that psychologically devastating. I like going up the trace trail, along the ridge, down Momyer and out the old Dobbs Cabin trail. For me, even going down Momyer is too long Too bad I'm not a ultra-runner like Z-dude -- the time would pass quickly.

Well, to be specific, I started on the Momyer Cr Tr but turned off the Momyer Cr Tr at the junction with the Alger Cr Tr. I then proceeded to the jct with the Falls Cr Tr and went up the Falls Cr Tr to $ Lake Saddle. Doing the full Momyer Loop (up the Momyer Cr Tr, down the Falls Cr Tr, back to Momyer Cr Tr via the Alger Cr Tr, and then back to the Momyer TH) is on my list but I didn't have time this trip out.

I did Skyline in December last year after a fresh snow. It made the last 1,500 ft climb very interesting. There was no ice, thank goodness.

OK, then it sounds like a late October ascent of Skyline would be pretty reasonable. I'm looking at Oct 20 or Oct 27.

Good luck on the wedding preparations. I'm glad to see you're getting outdoors soon for work stress-relief.

Why, thank you.

[KathyW]

Jim: You're going to love the 10K ridge - it's just beautiful out there.

[GDannyboy]

Anyone else going?

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

I'm going, but will be parking at Ramon Rd. and only assending to the 5k level. It's been awhile since I've been at that elevation (Use to live in Lake Arrowhead) and I'm out of shape (Just quite smoking in June and have gained some weight).

Not sure when I'll be hitting the trail. Hopefully at round 6 AM.

Dan

[Perry]

Anyone know where I can get a good body bag??

I take it you don't mean a bivy.

[Hikin_Jim]

Well, a bivy is not a bad idea, but I meant a body bag -- so my body can be airlifted off the mountain after those 3 peaks. We're going straight up the ridge from Fish Cr Camp to 10K ridge. That's pretty heavy duty when you add two other peaks in and the fact that we have to pack back out again to the Aspen Grove TH. It's about 10 - 12 miles RT on Sunday, so I guess it'll be OK, but I don't like it when the topo lines start pushing and shoving ('cause they're so jammed together). I know, I know, quit moaning. It's not like I'm doing Skyline, right?

[Hikin_Jim]

Jim: You're going to love the 10K ridge - it's just beautiful out there.

I hope so, I've been wanting to do it for some time. Looks interesting.

I eventually want to get all the 10K+ peaks in S. California, these three are definitely on my list. Plus it'll be nice to be in the Apen Grove/Fish Creek area again. Haven't been over there for about 3 or 4 years.

JB

[Ellen]

Howdy all

As Dan pointed out on another thread, the weather on Skyline yesterday was fabulous

We started at 6 AM. It was a bit humid but the temperature was perfect, perhaps in the low 60's. Clouds covered San Jacinto -- it felt like we were hiking into the heavens. As we ascended, the views of Palm Springs were breath-taking -- shadows from clouds interspersed with rays of light.

Past the 4400 ft mark, it started to drizzle -- never really rained. I was actually a little chilly until we hit flat rock. The sun came out and felt fabulous. This was the first time I've ever enjoyed the sun at flat rock Walking down the wash a bit, the view of Palm Springs was incredible. It looked like a water color portrait -- like a fantasy land in a fairy tale.

The cool weather was a great incentive to keep moving and stay warm. When we hit tree line and looked down on Palm Springs, it was easy to see why the trail is called Cactus to Clouds. We were climbing in a cloud from that point on -- never did see Coffman's crag. It was 38 degrees and windy in Long Valley. We were very happy to NOT be doing San Jacinto -- couldn't even see the summit due to cloud cover.

The only dissapointment was not having draft beer at the tram bar. The pump lines weren't ready and no one had any incentive to fix them. We finally gave up and had skunky beer (Heiniken), rode down and had a fabulous dinner at the original Las Consuelas (sp?)

All in all, a memorable day

Miles of smiles,
Ellen