Time to "FIX" the Skyline "trail"

[Marknhj]

I can only speak from my own experience but when I moved to Palm Springs a year ago, began hiking and heard about the Skyline Trail, my initial thought was that I wanted to try it.

Then I googled, found this site, read the threads and realized I'd better be very cautious and well prepared. This was confirmed when I first came across the sign mentioning, "died" and "rescued"...

[Hikin_Jim]

I also had heard about Skyline long before I found this forum, and I have to admit that I was curious. However, I found this forum in the course of gathering current condtions for a hike, and as soon as I heard 8000' gain in 11 miles and heard about the temperatures, my first reaction was "NO WAY am I going anywhere near that thing unless I'm really really prepared." I knew that Skyline was an extreme hike and not to be tackled without a lot of planning, conditioning, and preparation.

Now, I'm a former Army officer, and I probably wouldn't have done an unfamiliar hike with out gathering intel and conducting a "map reconnaissance" which they drilled into our heads, so I doubt I'd be on Skyline completely clueless anyway, but the information here and on Perry's site removed any shadow of a doubt.

[magikwalt]

So what of the original suggestion??? Shall we fix up the top? I say yes.

1. How about a simple path to lead away from the shattered stump towards the fallen tree. Several people have told me of their journey to the edge.

2. Ducks throughout the final leg. With special heights assoicated with the move upwards from Coffman's Craig.

[halhiker]

I don't know that the trail needs "fixing". A little maintenance in a few places maybe but not fixing. In hiking this trail for over twenty years I have never not been able to find my way.

I think the problem with the trail lies not with the trail but with the users. Of the recent rescues that I'm aware of most of them had to do with people hiking the trail either ill prepared or at a time of year not really conducive to hiking this trail.

Personally, I think once the snow clears a little clandestine rake and shovel work in a few spots and the trail is good to go. And maybe another sign at the State Park boundary would be helpful.

And I don't like ducks. I l have a tendency to knock them down.

[KathyW]

I think the problem with the trail lies not with the trail but with the users. Of the recent rescues that I'm aware of most of them had to do with people hiking the trail either ill prepared or at a time of year not really conducive to hiking this trail.

So true.

[magikwalt]

Hal's point about the problem being with the users of the trail is highlighted by the latest hikers requiring "rescue". A helicoptor was needed to locate and show them the way home.

http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 8/80227006

So we don't like orange paint spots, white spots are okay but only below the billboard rock, trail ribbons are an enviromental hazard, ducks get knocked down and signs make it look more civilized than it is. Also the vast majority of those being rescued are physically and logistically unprepared for the demands of the route.

[guest]

Just a quick reminder, The State Park Wilderness doesn't allow for "improvements" even if they were needed, without approval.

Plus, if some over do it, they may be a backlash, as when someone decided on his own, to put up several brown sign posts along the route.

Many prefer wilderness to remain wild.

ss

[cynthia23]

Ok, what about my brilliant plan to nail a guiding trail of beer cans to the tree trunks? It's simple, it's recyclable, and we can place the cans above the snow line. If I use a can opener to cut off the tops, baby hummingbirds can nest inside.

I'm thinking Olde English 800 will best represent our demographic.

Since I came up with this plan, I get to drink all the beer.

Please send me donations ASAP.

[Hikin_Jim]

Sounds like you may have already received a lot of said donations.

[halhiker]

[quote="magikwalt"]Hal's point about the problem being with the users of the trail is highlighted by the latest hikers requiring "rescue". A helicoptor was needed to locate and show them the way home.

http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 8/80227006

(rest of quote snipped)

I bet these people were probably training for the Skyline this spring.