C2C Hike on 12.26 or 12.27

[mustaineaddict]

Hello all, I am in the Palm Springs area visiting for the holidays and want to hike the C2C trail either Thursday the 26th or Friday the 27th of December. I am looking for anyone interested in hiking with me since i've never done the trail before.

I am a very experienced backpacker and outdoorsman, I've done numerous 20+ mile days before, and 7000ft+ vertical climbs in the past, and frequently take multi-day trips in the mountains so I have no doubt my skill level is appropriate for this hike. Furthermore I spent this past summer as a research geologist in the arctic so I have plenty of stories for the trail if there are any interested people who would like to take a brisk hike to the summit.

Furthermore if anybody has hiked the trail recently, how were the conditions? Do you think its reasonable to hike to the summit and back down to the tram in less then 10 hours. I really don't want to be hiking in the dark.

Thanks and happy holidays.

[Hikin_Jim]

Merry Christmas. You should do fine. There is little snow right now.

It's a big hike. You might have to hike in the dark. Bring a headlamp. Assess your time when you come up to the tram the first time.

HJ.

[bluerail]

I will most lickely be at museum th on Friday am about 6, you should be fine for daylight with a brisk pace, hope I see you I'm sure you have some interesting stories

[Hikin_Jim]

lickely

Steve is very friendly.

HJ

[mustaineaddict]

I think i'll be at the art museum around 6-630 tomorrow morning. Steve, if I catch you that would be great, but I might get a bit of a later start. Hope to see you out there.

[TectorGorch]

My wife and I will leave San Diego at 4a which should put us at the museum trailhead at 6:30. I'd love to hear your Arctic stories!! We'll look for you on the way up.

Don and Diane

[mustaineaddict]

Well I hiked the C2C trail today. I left the museum parking lot around 7AM, so I think I missed those of you who posted on here. The first 4000 vertical feet or so felt like a breeze, the grade and switchbacks made it a very enjoyable hike through the high desert.

It was very cool watching the change from high desert to mountainous conifer forest, I will admit I thought the transition would be quickier, and for it too be colder up top.

It took me 6.5 hours to reach the tram, I didn't go for the summit because my legs were feeling it, and I was worried about daylight issues.

Definitely one of the best and most challenging hikes i've ever completed. I must say I'll recommend this to any hardcore hikers out there to test their meddle. Mt only complaint would be the massive crowds in long valley were sort of annoying after having nearly seven hours of peace and solitude.

[Hikin_Jim]

Congrats. Got photos?

HJ

[TectorGorch]

Sorry we missed you...we left San Diego at 4a and hit the museum trailhead at 6:30. We met Ed on the way up who said there were two in front of him, thought maybe one was you. We only saw one other person, a guy coming DOWN who had been camping above and didn't seem to know what day it was. We were at the tram by 12:30, then down to our favorite Pho restaurant, PHO 533 for a bite before heading home. We have been wanting to do this as a day hike from San Diego and it worked out well. About 12 hours door-to-door.