Skyline Trail - Mar 8

[Cy Kaicener]

Four of us left the museum at 4.30 am to beat the heat after returning from 4300 ft elevation. Right after leaving I met Doreen and Tina coming up at half way. There were more than twenty other people heading up. I saw Joe, Larry, Tobin (the Dane) and Paul going for the tram. Tobin said he was going to do the full c2c to the peak. At 10.15 am I saw five young people at the metal warning sign at 1750 ft. They were heading for the tram believe it or not at that late hour. I hope they have enough sense to turn back.
There were hundreds of purple, yellow and white wild flowers.
Now for the party Yum

[Hikin_Jim]

Cy, do you think the upper section before the peak will be ice free? How about the upper section of Skyline before one hit's Long? Certainly it'sbeen warm; maybe things will be soft enough for travel?

Jim

PS Grab a bite of MW's BBQ for me, toss back a bit of liquid refreshment. Wish I were there...

[Cy Kaicener]

Jim - Tobin and Joe said that they would send us a trip report. If it remains warm for two more weeks, most of the snow and ice should be gone, just in time for the full moon. I will take the tram up next Saturday and check out the trail from the top.

[WOLFDOG]

Wow, never heard so many people attempting C2C especially with the snow covered north side near coffman crag. I remember the Riverside Mountain Rescue person that died trying cross the icy snow in 2003, a well experienced hiker I remember hearing. Nevertheless, it just isn't worth it no matter infallible one might feel. Then there are the stupid ones that don't prepare. For instance, I came across an overweight hiker all sprawled out on the trail taking a nap at the 5,500ft level. He was red in face and I asked him if he was ok. He said he was ok and was planning on camping half way near the 6,000ft. level. That I found hard to believe, and what I couldn't believe was this guy was smoking and leaving cigarrette butts along the way up the trail to where I met up with him. God only knows if he made it up to the tram or collapsed at his campsite never to be seen again.

[Torben Thomsen]

Left Museum at 5:45AM and arrived at tram at 4:45PM. After flat rock I was joined by Joe [a math student from UCR] who plans to spend the night in Round Valley or beyond. Because of the lateness of the hour I decided not to go to the top, but took the tram down, while Joe continued.

First snow on Skyline appears just beyond Flat Rock. Above 7600ft it becomes EXTREMELY treacherous. We both put on 10-point crampons and carried ice axes. For two hours we had to cut practically every step into the snow that varied from medium hard to rock hard.

It was a great experience, but do NOT even think of attempting the top portion of Skyline unless you are fully equipped for serious winter climbing. Even if you are experienced, it is dangerous. That also means that you must thoroughly know the trail or carry GPS equipment with the route marked. The path appears in only a very few places. Given the current condition of the snow I think that is will stay for many more weeks.

Came by place where hikers in December lost their way and had to spend a very uncomfortable night on the mountain. But more on that later.

[Cy Kaicener]

Thanks for the trip report Torben. This might prevent some hikers from attempting Skyline in conditions that most are unprepared for. The last 1000 feet are in the shade and it will take warm nights to melt the ice. I agree with your assesment that it will take a few more weeks.
We cant always go by the saying - What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.

[KathyW]

Thanks for the report Torben Thomsen and I'm glad you made it up there safely.

[cynthia23]

Wow. Thank you so much for this sobering trip report. I have been alarmed to hear people talking about doing Skyline in the next few weeks as it has seemed to me it won't be safe for at LEAST another month. We really appreciate you taking the time to post your warning, and congratulations on the safe completion of what sounds like a tricky and dangerous alpine climb.

[Jennifer]

Anybody with crampons, and training how to properly use them, and experience using them, can do Skyline right now without much problem.

Having done Skyline before is the major advantage - route finding skills should not be necessary, as the route is the same as the last time you did it.

Maybe not many people doing a hike near Palm Springs own crampons or know how to use them?

This seems to be the main reason this hike is over-hyped in my opinion.

[halhiker]

Anybody with crampons, and training how to properly use them, and experience using them, can do Skyline right now without much problem.

Having done Skyline before is the major advantage - route finding skills should not be necessary, as the route is the same as the last time you did it.

Maybe not many people doing a hike near Palm Springs own crampons or know how to use them?

This seems to be the main reason this hike is over-hyped in my opinion.

I don't think the hike is overhyped as much as people who live in the area get tired of hearing about unprepared hikers getting killed or rescued on this hike. I, as well as several other locals, have crampons, ice tools and other mountaineering equipment and the experience to use them but it's generally the non-locals who are encountering problems in this area and on this hike specifically..

I think a lot of people do not think mountaineering equipment when they pack their bags to come to Palm Springs.

The probably only bring their golf clubs and shorts.