First timer - is this hike safe with the recent fires?

[sgarm]

I'm looking -- I'm looking! Thanks for the suggestions. One thing that attracted me to this hike is not only my love of Palm Springs and connection to the land, but also that it is primarily up up up. Going downhill, while less strenuous to the muscles, is very hard on my joints.

Any more information about the temperature gains? I read what Hikin Jim wrote, but it seems to me that if I start at 3am when it's still in the 70s, and hike up at a pace of nearly 1000ft per hour, I should at least 3000 feet up by sunrise. Am I wrong in my understanding that 3K ft up is about 11 degrees cooler than the desert floor? So, at 6am, temperatures start to rise rapidly at about the same rate that I can loose degrees because of my ascent. From my calculations, even if I'm slower than expected, I should still stay below the dangerous 90s, even on days when it reaches well above 100.

I would love it if someone could enlighten me here. Thanks for all the engagement, I really love the sense of community on this board.

[Hikin_Jim]

The really issue to me is not so much air temperature but solar exposure. Over Memorial Day, I did a 4 day hike in the southern part of the range. Highs were in the 80's. It was actually quite comfortable in the shade, but it felt really hot in the sun.

Last December, I did Skyline. It actually felt hot to me although the air temperature was probably in the 60's. I was quite taken aback. The desert sun is pretty strong on a shadeless trail like Skyline.

HJ

[cynthia23]

I have heard a few times the "but I can only do Skyline in August/September because of my vacation schedule". But that's like saying, "the only time I can get time off to climb Everest is during the monsoon season, so that's when I am going to do it." Skyline is a little shorter than Everest , but the summer heat is just as deadly as a blizzard. I know it is disappointing, but you would be taking a huge risk, and worse yet, putting potential rescuers at risk. Do you understand that if you can't make it, you can't turn around and go down (because of the heat below), and calling for a rescue will be your only option? A first timer should never ever attempt it during the hot months. Remember it's not just you who are at risk. The recent death-by-fall of the man in Nevada who was pulling out a stranded hiker via helicopter (and most summer rescues on Skyline are via helicopter) is a sharp reminder that no hike is worth that risk. Imagine how that hiker now feels, living with the knowledge that his choice caused a man's death.

Just wait until November. As Cy always says, "The mountain isn't going anywhere."

[Screerider]

Should I call them now or wait?
If you want to risk your life, fine. Figure it any way that pleases you. The problem is, you put the lives of our search and rescue teams in danger as well when they have to rescue you. Please don't.

[arocknoid]

Sarah, for which charity are you raising funds with this hike? A link would be appreciated; these days even many free-lance "informal" hiking fundraisers will have a web presence, whether via a program like Big City Mountaineers or completely independent/ website.etc.

MSJ forumites have politely responded, with restraint, but this query is such a loaded topic that the OP has overtones of "Crystal," as old-timers may recall. A charity weblink would provide veritas, for a topic which has such gravitas.

That being said, if Mt. Diablo is the best you can access for heat acclimation and strenuosity for September Skyline Debut, ignoring the advice of seasoned veterans here will demonstrate hubris bordering on suicidal. A quick check of weather data for Mt Diablo (incl a Paid database of historical info) shows that you really won't have significant "Time at Temperature" to satisfactorily prepare you for what Skyline has in store.

You'll be jumping into the fire not from a frying pan, but from a pina colada.

Even if you hike on a day with the high of 87, the *hourly* temp profile is much more favorable than that of Skyline on Labor Day. And what if we get an inversion on the day of your hike? Fricasse.

Try this Mt. Diablo hike (North Peak) on the hottest day forecast. Carry at least eight liters of water.
Repeat. Without refilling H2O.


Prep trail, North Peak at Mt Diablo. Did I mention you should be able to do this ten-miler back-to-back, with eight liters of H2O? A total pack weight of at least 25 lbs would also help offset and self-assess the deficiency of training at lower elevation and temps:

"If you're bugged by the existence of a parking lot atop Mount Diablo -- the East Bay's signature peak -- you're probably just the type to check out nearby North Peak, which gets far fewer visitors and offers just as many awesome vistas.... favorite path to North Peak is definitely the hard way: five miles and over 3,000 feet of climb on some of the steepest trails in the Bay Area. The struggle has rewards beyond knowing you've walked from near sea level to one of the highest accessible points in the region. In springtime, the hillsides light up with wildflowers; in winter, rains cleanse the skies so you can see the snow-capped Sierra peaks hundreds of miles away; in autumn, tarantulas prowl the trails in search of mates. Summer's about the only time when it's too hot to attempt this hike."

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/north-p ... state-park

July averages as the hottest month there, Aug Avg High is 85; you are finishing your training and heat acclimation during a period of anticipated *declining* temps

Mt Diablo forecast with peak /summit temp gradient (Centigrade/Celsius)
http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/ ... casts/1173

Ten day forecast. If you are a grad student, you may not be able to hike on the warmest days, Tues + Wed, 87 F. Highs on Sat Sun are only 83/82, and the mid-range forecast shows a cooling trend before Labor Day (less accurate predictablility, JUST LIKE SKYLINE 3 weeks from now).

hourly summary example; not much time "at heat" if you do ten miles RT x 2 starting in the a.m. :
http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyho ... inIndex=24


Skyline on Labor Day (for a first timer!!) with this level of preparation is a recipe for disaster, and puts rescuers at risk.

This is an example of why the Calif Legislature is considering legislation to expand liability for rescue reimbursement to hikers under certain circumstances (tipping point:Cendoya), and which provides impetus to those who advocate downright *closure* of certain trails and areas.

So, which charity are you hiking for? If you choose an alternate trail for your hike, as others have suggested, you probably will get additional support and contributions from the wide audience of this board. Post a link so we can contribute on your behalf. We look forward to a safe hike for you, and successful charity fundraising.

kind regards,
arocknoid

[bajabobthefireman]

My feelings are that the hike can be done this time of year, but for someone doing it the first time it would perhaps be better to do it during a cooler time of year. A lot depends on your own fitness level and how you handle the heat. The lower part of the hike isn't so difficult, it doesn't get steep until you reach the big manzanita patches at 7000 elevation. That's also where the shade starts. I have friends who have done it this time of year and they started around midnight w/ a full moon, it's a little tricky at the bottom, especially in the dark, there are a few forks in the road and you have to be able to know the right way to go. As mentioned by others the sun will just beat down on you until you get up by the timber line, it's pretty easy to get dehydrated if you're not used to hiking in 100 degree weather for several hours. Last time I did the hike was back in April. We started really late, about 8am. Of course it was cooler then but even taking a lot of breaks along the way we were at the tram station at about 6pm. Anyway hope this helps, looks like you've gotten a lot of advice.

[HikerLinda]

Just need to say, please listen to those warning you about Palm Springs heat. They live here and they know! Even getting an early start, lets not forget the night time temps only get down into the low 90's.... and lets not forget about those snakes who love to occupy the trail and you may not see them in the dark

My husband and I were able to climb the skyline on March 23rd of this year. Loved every minute of this hike.....We found the perfect weather window with the high being "only" 88 that day.

The Skytrail will be here in the Fall and Winter... but...For everytime a hiker is rescued, it just makes me wonder if the "powers that be" might find it justified to close down our wonderful Skyline trail....

Hiker Linda in Joshua Tree

[HikerLinda]

...not only dealing with heat issue ibut also s the issue of getting lost or turned around on this trail.... so many have made "shortcuts".... easy to get off this trail in the daylight so in the evening, when you are only looking at 2 feet in front of you instead of seeing the big picture.... another factor my husband brought up to me just now.

We both are experienced hikers and have hiked in PS for many years and even WE got "off" the Skyline trail twice on our day of hiking it on March 23rd!!!!!

Hiker Linda in Joshua Tree

[sgarm]

Seems perhaps this got lost in the thread of comments, but we are no longer going to do this hike on Labor Day. I'm not sure if we will reschedule for later or find another mountain, but thanks for all the suggestions from those who made them!

[towbradley]

Beautiful choice to not go. Come in the spring or fall when things cool down. Like me, im going to wait until i get better acquainted with the weather system up there and hopefully hoof it up with someone who's in the know for my first time on the c2c. Too many times the friends here are posting bad situations that people put themselves in because they either were ignorant about the extreme conditions or just foolish in their thinking. Anyway, hope to see you and your hubby soon to visit the majestic san jacinto mountains.