Tram Hike for Newbies?

[Bob_J]

Well, reading this forum has now officially scared the crap out of me. A group of friends and I had planned on taking the tram and then hiking up to the peak, sometime in June. Probably camp in Long Valley. We've all done some moderate hikes before, and two of my friends have been on San Jacinto before (I haven't).

Will we be able to handle doing this hike, do you think? It sounds like the tram hike is easier than doing the full-blown Skyline trail (I have no interest in doing that hike!) Any tips or advice for someone doing this hike for the first time?

[simonov]

Tram to summit via Long Valley is easy-peazy! Only 5.5 miles one way, and a breeze if you intend to camp in Long Valley. Only actually gets steep for the last mile and a half, and even then it's not too bad.

Most of the scary discussion you have been reading has been about the Skyline Trail, which is a pretty challenging hike from Palm Springs up to the upper Tram station. A whole nuther thing.

Edit: video of a day hike from tram to summit in November: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nTG1HVz8uiA

[Hikin_Jim]

A couple of items to note:
a) Simonov is absolutely right that the hike isn't all that bad, BUT right now there's a lot of ice up there. Wait until the ice clears (unless you're an experienced mountaineer). We had a member of this forum have an ice accident up there a few weeks ago. It very nearly cost her her life.
b) You can't camp in Long Valley, but you can camp in Round Valley (maybe that's what you meant?) or Tamarack. Make sure you contact the ranger station in advance and get an overnight permit.

[AlanK]

Well, reading this forum has now officially scared the crap out of me. A group of friends and I had planned on taking the tram and then hiking up to the peak, sometime in June. Probably camp in Long Valley. We've all done some moderate hikes before, and two of my friends have been on San Jacinto before (I haven't).

Will we be able to handle doing this hike, do you think? It sounds like the tram hike is easier than doing the full-blown Skyline trail (I have no interest in doing that hike!) Any tips or advice for someone doing this hike for the first time?

The first time we did the Cactus to Clouds hike, we met a guy at about 5000' who had had done the hike before and was going at about our pace. So we hiked together. When we got to Long Valley, he announced that we had come to the "bathrobe and bedroom slippers portion of the program." His point was that, although the hike to the summit is an honest one, compared to the hike from Palm Springs to Long Valley, it is indeed quite easy. If you are going in June, snow should not be an issue and you should have clear sailing. Just remember that you will be starting at over 8000' and that you will have arrived there from low elevation in quite a hurry (via the tram).

[erin]

i'm also a "newbie" who is interested in doing the tram to peak hike. i noticed someone say that now is not a good time to go because of the snow and ice. how soon could i reasonably plan a trip up there and avoid the more dangerous weather conditions?

[Hikin_Jim]

Erin,

You're very prudent. A hiker slipped on ice in Falls Canyon last week, and he is no longer with us.

Hard to say when things will be clear. It's March, and in some years March can actually be a pretty heavy snow month. Certainly, I would think May would be a good month for a tram to summit hike, but if the heat keeps up April might be good too. I guess just keep an eye on this board. You could also call the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Ranger Station.

My guestimates. Anyone else want to play fortune teller?

HJ

[marmot]

another great trail is the main desert view trail, which is in long valley. I'd imagine that such a trail would have good views of the desert and of C2C.

[Quivers of Shivers]

A friend and I are totally unfamiliar with San Jacinto but we were hoping to do the tram to summit hike there in two weeks time when we fly out there from the East.
It looks like this wont be an option as we do not want to use crampons and picks. Nor are we experienced mntnrs. Will there be any hiking trails around the tram mid-March doable with just poles and possibly yaktrax or would that be ruled out? we dont want to take any inordinate risks so alternate suggestions would be appreciated.


i.e. that main desert view trail above poster reccomended, would it likely be iced up and need at least snowshoes with cleats or should we just check on the wx again a few days before we get there?

[Bob_J]

Me again. It turns out our friends may not be able to go hiking until July. Is that going to be a bad time to take this trip? Too hot?

[Hikin_Jim]

Me again. It turns out our friends may not be able to go hiking until July. Is that going to be a bad time to take this trip? Too hot?

Bob:

It could get hot, but typically it's OK in July if you're going from the tram to the summit. While Palm Springs may be 114' F (in the shade), the top can be 20 - 30 degrees cooler. It will be deceptively dry. You'll lose more water than you think without noticing it because the dry air will dry your sweat so quickly you may not think you're sweating much -- bring extra water. You can re-fill at Round Valley, but you need to bring iodine tablets or a backpacking water filter.

Keep your eyes on these links:
1. San Jacinto Summit (approx.): http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=sgx&smap=1&textField1=33.817083333333&textField2=-116.69375
2. Upper tram station area (approx.): http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=SGX&llon=-116.876247&rlon=-115.846247&tlat=34.244584&blat=33.217084&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=56&map.y=111

HJ