Up and down… ON PURPOSE?

[Mox]

after reading all the warnings about the skyline trail, I'd like to get some input on the feasibility of intentionally starting from the floor, going to the tram, and then hiking back down to the trailhead. I see there are lots of warnings against trying this, but things to consider:

1. I'm a regular trail runner, living at altitude (Idyllwild), so I'm in pretty good shape.
2. I'm thinking of doing this fairly soon (early February), since we've had an unseasonably warm/dry winter so far, so I wouldn't be dealing with summer heat.

if I were to start at sunrise and assume a brisk hiking pace (I've heard not to try trail-running it), and I take three liters water with me (more than I've ever taken with me on any trail run), do you think this might be a reasonable risk for me in particular? This would be my first time on the trail.

Thanks.

[cynthia23]

Well, the good thing is if you get to the tram and you're really tired, you can just call it a day and take the tram back down. Obviously you will need to pay attention to how fatigued you feel once you get to the tram station. If you feel just great and you make excellent time (sub six hours) I don't think it's risky. If you feel tired and it took you more than seven hours to get to the tram station, then, no, don't try to go back down. Going down Skyline is indeed very grueling. Also, you will be descending into some (relatively) warm weather. Just play it by ear and err on the side of caution.

Now is a good time for novices to try Skyline (assuming it doesn't snow in the next two days!) because it's not a committed hike--i.e. you can go back down.

[Mox]

Thanks, Cynthia. much appreciated. i'll watch the weather. i did notice some upper elevation snow forecast for the end of the week - not sure if it'll reach to 8k feet....

[bluerail]

stash some water for your return trip. youll be fine in this weather.

[Mox]

stashing the water en route – great idea. Thanks. I don't know I never thought of that before; that could be useful advice even running up here in Idyllwild on long, out-and-back trail runs.

[bluerail]

You're obviously much stronger than I am.

[kenbenoit]

I did about 5800 upon Thursday in 2:27. i felt great but decided to come back down. It was much harder than the climb...took 3:05 and i got big blisters on the bottoms of my big toes!

[Sally]

Thank you, Ken, for re-affirming for me that I should stick to going UP Skyline and avoid trying to go DOWN!

[kenbenoit]

planning to leave from the Museum at 0700 but I am always late so probably 0730

[Mox]

i went up and back down a few weeks ago - about 7 miles up, 14 round trip - and can confirm that it was HARD ... sore thigh muscles for days. But it was absolutely doable, and a completely different visual experience going down from going up. Read the details here - http://www.dailymile.com/people/RicM/entries/27198140