c2c 5/23/15

[sdchargerhiker]

is anybody doing c2c this weekend? my group is planning on starting at midnight friday night.

[zippetydude]

With this weather it's almost a sure thing there will be plenty of hikers. Just might be out there myself!

z

[Hikin_Jim]

Weather report looks reasonable.

HJ

[sdchargerhiker]

With this weather it's almost a sure thing there will be plenty of hikers. Just might be out there myself!

z

we've pbeen planning this hike for a few months now and a few weeks ago decided to postpone it due to the crazy heat but it looks like the weather should be in our favor this weekend! maybe we'll run into you hopefully!

[zippetydude]

About that start time...I don't know your hiking speed, but there are good and bad sides to starting in the dark. The good sides are that it is cooler and looking back down on the lights of Palm Springs from above is a beautiful sight. The bad sides are that it is harder to find your way and that you don't really get to see the terrain (which is constantly changing as you rise through different biomes) when it's completely dark.

So, if your party is in good physical condition you might want to consider leaving a couple hours before dawn as opposed to leaving at midnight. That would still allow you to enjoy the coolness and the beauty of the lights and the rising of the sun over the desert without having to do most of Skyline (the hike from the desert floor to the tram) in the darkness. It would put you in Long Valley around noon, which would allow you about 8 hours to go ahead and do the next section of the hike, from the tram to the peak and back. Since that's the easiest part, it's not usually hard to accomplish it in less than 8 hours, even if you stop for a while and take in the views from the peak, snap some pics, call friends at home and brag, etc.

On the other hand, if you leave at midnight and make even very modest time you'll end up in Long Valley around 7:00 or 8:00. While it would be dark for most of the lower section, this would allow you 12 full hours to do the easier section to the peak and back. If your party has members that prefer to hike very slow, this original plan of yours is probably the best choice.

Just a thought from someone who has done the trail a few times at all hours of the day and night. I've started in the afternoon, in the morning, in the darkness before dawn, and once (only once) around midnight. The midnight version was very nice, but I ended up at the tram hours before it opened and did not feel like doing the peak that day. Unfortunately, it was nice at the bottom but 29 degrees at the top on that occasion, and I was only wearing shorts and a tank top. I froze for an eternity, so I loved the hike but did not enjoy the wait at the end! Just some thoughts. Hope you have a ton of fun no matter how you decide to do it.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

I ended up at the tram hours before it opened and did not feel like doing the peak that day. Unfortunately, it was nice at the bottom but 29 degrees at the top on that occasion, and I was only wearing shorts and a tank top. I froze for an eternity...

So, I'm going up Skyline in December, somewhere around Flat Rock, and up comes Zip, wearing shorts and a tank top. Zip remarks, "gee, it's getting cold; I'd better put on some more clothes." I'm thinking he's going to pull out a windbreaker or something, but, no, what does he pull out? A "T" shirt. A lousy little cotton "T" shirt. Practically an arctic parka!

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

Here, Zip, here is what you really need. You're welcome. Just tie it around your waist of course.



HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

On a more serious note, the trail from the Ramon Trailhead is generally regarded as easier to follow. Here's my Trip Report if it helps any.

HJ

[zippetydude]

So you're an STP fan also? I've gotten some great deals there! My latest steal, La Sportiva Electrons...list is $130.00, you can usually find them for around $85.00, I got 'em for $32.00 on STP! Amazing place.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

Yeah, I definitely like STP. If you follow them on YouTube and Facebook, every once in a while they offer a 40% off across the board, unlimited coupon, the best deal from them that I know of. They posted one last night on YouTube, and I picked up some long johns and some Merino wool socks.

HJ