Skyline is in State Park

[halhiker]

The upper areas of the Skyline are in the State Park. I know because the Rangers pulled a bunch of fixed climbing anchors off Coffman Crag years ago and the trail goes right by Coffman. Lower areas are Aqua Caliente and BLM.

The last time the State Park closed like this it was closed until the first winter snowfall. I think it was in 2003 or 2004. The fire danger was too extreme and this year is worse. I haven't been up Skyline lately (too many people these days) but I would imagine it's all pretty dry up there.

For someone looking for a hard hike in the area I would recommend Rabbit Peak. I actually think Rabbit Peak is harder than Skyline.

Another fun hike is from the Coachella Valley to Key's View in Joshua Tree.

It's not as challenging as the others but it's less traveled.

[KathyW]

Rabbit Peak is harder than Skyline - you have to hike back out. I love the Santa Rosas. The hike to Rosa Point is a great hike too. When I did Rabbit we went from S22 and over Villager. I'd like to do it from the Coachella Valley next time.

Here's some info on Rabbit, Villager, and Rosa:

http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/hpslist.htm#30

Some pics of the area:

Rabbit/Villager:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/1254196#58809020

Rosa Point:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/1245290#58368880

[Perry]

Another fun hike is from the Coachella Valley to Key's View in Joshua Tree.

It's not as challenging as the others but it's less traveled.

Is that Wide Canyon? There's a few gravel roads in Sky Valley. Or do you mean just going cross-country and weaving around cactus plants?

Me and Zip were talking today about doing Palm Canyon to Hwy 74 or Dunn Road (Cathedral City) to Pinyon Pines. Anybody wanna carpool?

[guest]

Hey Perry & Zip,
You might wanna hold off till the smioke clears, it heads over Garnet Ridge, the low point on the San Jacintos in that direction. An article in the paper stated the particles go right through a paper mask like many people wear.

Kathy, thxs for the thorough info on Rabbit Pk did it many years ago, it was lie 12 hrs! Between you & Jim & some of the others, you guys could write a book!
ss

[Perry]

Today, the air has been relatively clear to the north of I-10 with clouds that are actually made of water. I could see the 3,000-foot peaks above Desert Hot Springs and Sky Valley. Probably Joshua Tree NP is also relatively clear. Some of the trails out here have large pieces of trash, target shooters, and off-roaders, but there some that aren't so bad.