#282 on Skyline!

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi Everyone,
Had a great time on Skyline Sat. The temp was a little warmer than I like it to be, but what a blessing to be hiking all the way up in January!!!
It was great to see Fernando and Lindella and her group. Not too many people on the trail which was kind of nice. Pretty quiet most of the way.
Just a heads up about that crop of rocks after you drop down from the benches at the beginning of skyline(appox.600-700ft.). I have been pulling the rocks off because some idiot decided to paint a red arrow up the side of the rocks. The trail then goes down to Ramon or over to skyline. Also, did anyone notice all the bushes and plants that were hacked off at the 23 switchbacks at shady slope??? I know a lot of you don't go that way, but, does anyone know who did this???
I am still telling hikers not to go up that one section on the red hill that is just about completely collapsed at the point where the short cut meets the trail. Steve and Fernando did a great job of stacking rocks, but hikers keep stepping over the rocks. Not sure if maybe putting a "do not enter" sign might help. I hate to do that, but not sure what else I can do to stop hikers from going up that small section. I hope all of you will take notice and not take your groups up that way. Other than that, its always a joy to be out there and see you. Sorry I didn't get to see Ellen. I heard she was hiking on Sunday. Hope you had a great day Ellen. Jack and Katherine were also on the trail. They saw me while I was walking down the tram road to get back to the Museum Parking lot. I know you all think I am nuts doing that, but believe it or not, it relaxes me. By the time I finish, I fell pretty good and all the back aches are gone!!!(lol) So is my mind(lol)'
See you all soon
Doreen

[bluerail]

Doreen, I ended up on the trail the other day spent awhile with a guy that maintains a section of the pct. He had clippers and was doing some trimming.

Congratulations on 282 !!

[Robert Hunt]

282 times is outer space! It was great to meet you Sat. I'm curious what the difference is in effort & time between Sat's #282 & #1. Also got a smiling hello from a flying Lindella who, I later learned, was carrying an extra heavy pack for training purposes. Talking to Fernando about Snow Creek w/Steve...wow!
Those rocks do help steer the people who care but there'll always be those ignorant of hastening erosion that seek a quicker way instead of just being quicker. I'd think that the difficulty of this route would weed out those that don't care but...
Awesome skills Doreen! Robert

[cynthia23]

Congratulations Doreen! I too am interested to hear how 282 feels different from 1--or maybe #50? Do they seem different, the same?

You have a very unique perspective on the trail!

Kudos to you, Gal.

[Ellen]

Howdy Doreen, my Skyline Queen

Congratulations -- you continue to inspire me

I went up on Sunday with the Craigmeister, Marilyn and Liz -- it was a beautiful day. Craig's work schedule is changing, so this will be his last Sunday Skyline. I'm planning on hiking this Saturday -- hope to see you.

Regarding your mind being gone after hiking Skyline, some would argue that your mind must be gone BEFORE hiking Skyline

Miles of smiles and hearty hugs,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

your mind must be gone BEFORE hiking Skyline

This explains a great deal about a great many.

HJ

[Cy Kaicener]

Congratulations Doreen. It has now been blogged

http://cys-hiking-adventures.blogspot.c ... rings.html

[DancesWithTheMountains]

Hi my dear skyline friends,
Loved, loved. loved all the comments. I have to say the first skyline was with Scott and about 12 people and I just didn't know what I got myself into.(lol). Over the years I became so fast that right before I got cancer I was doing skyline almost 3 times a week. My timing was between 4:20 and 4:45. It was easy for me at that time. Now, I am just grateful that I can still do it even though it takes me more like 8 hrs. I'm alright with that because I appreciate the beauty a little more than before because I was always trying to beat my last time. Like a fine wine that ages, so too have I aged with this trail in a beautiful way. Its more like visiting an old friend. My favorite thing is knowing all of you. You are all very creative with your comments. Very funny(lol)!!! Glad to hear from you, Jim and Cynthia. Of course there is always my Ellen and Steve and Fernando. Nice to meet you Robert. I hope you enjoyed the trail and to you Cy, our trails will meet again.
Happy Trails
Doreen