Howdy All
Hiked up Skyline with Marilyn, Dennis and Tracy yesterday. We had good beta on the snow conditions of the traverse and the climb from Coffman's up to Grubbs Notch. As confirmed Skyline addicts, we were itching to go but wanted to be safe. Started about 5 am --it was 65 degrees and humid. Fortunately, the temperature and humidity dropped as we ascended.
Some IDIOT is spray painting red dots, arrows and smiley faces on rocks all the way up to 4 K
At Florian's point, we met a nice trail running couple who were descending (round trip Skyline). They confirmed the snow conditions. Patches of snow started at Flatrock. We stopped to don our traction devices shortly before reaching the traverse. A male trail runner shot by us without a word
Dennis lead us on the traverse and Tracy swept. Thanks to the new snow, there was a good/deep boot track, unlike our last three Skylines. I used Hillsound running crampons and hiking poles. Marilyn had micros and hiking poles. Dennis and Tracy used crampons and had ice-axes. While following Dennis up one of the switchbacks past the Thank you Jesus rocks, I nearly got mowed down by the male trail runner who was descending. He certainly lacked trail etiquette
and apparently didn't have the right footwear/gear
The snow was soft in places which resulted in occasional slipping, especially as we ascended from Coffman's crag. The route in the snow now nearly follows the summer trail
It's always a relief to get to Grubbs. Took the first available tram down and struggled with our smart phones to get an Uber or Lyft ride
Passed on Las Casuelas when my iPhone map app and indicated a 1.5 hour drive to Riverside. We did stop for In-an-Out in Cabazon -- we were starving
Discovered the west bound 60 was closed for "emergency road work," so the 10 was a mess.
I'll try to post some pictures.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen