Skyline this Saturday

[Cy Kaicener]

Ellen - It is going to be a bit warmer than we expected, so I will try and start at 2.30 am.

[KathyW]

I'm going to try to start sometime before 3 am on Saturday if I can drag my body to the trailhead by that time - maybe around 2 am.

[Pup]

I'm planning on hiking skyline tomorrow. I've lived and hiked/ran in the desert for 20yrs and this will be my first time on this trail-I know, unbelievable-but I will want to hook up with some of you or at least follow you as you lead the way.

[Cy Kaicener]

The weather on Skyline was cool and windy up to 4400 ft. After Flatrock the wind died down completely and it got very warm. I dont think anyone feels cold going up that steep section. I started around 2.30 am with Maria, Don E and Cathy U.
and took seven hours forty two minutes to get to Long Valley. At Flat Rock I met Max and Leila again and then was passed by Ellen who didnt need any rest there. Kathy W caught up to us at 7200 feet and said she was going past Long Valley. Another great day

[zippetydude]

Rats. I moved my run to Sunday, and now, at 3:50 in the morning, it's raining, and I'm looking at 80mph winds at the peak. Guess I'll have to try next week instead. Every day's different, I suppose! Hope everyone had fun yesterday.

z

[KathyW]

Except for the between Flat Rock and the trees it was just beautiful along the Skyline Trail yesterday morning. I continued on slowly past Long Valley and made it to the summit of San Jacinto. I'm tired today.

I took some pics:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/6501383_iP4qu#P-1-12

[Ellen]

Howdy All

I arrived at the Desert Museum and met Soames aka SH and Leah who were preparing their backpacks for their arduous day. I started at 3:50 and was pleasantly surprised at how good I felt. I’d packed enough food for C2C in case I totally lost my mind at Long Valley and decided to keep going. As Cy noted, the weather was fabulous, which probably explains why the climb to Shade Rock went by quickly. Thanks to the breeze scrubbing away the haze from the Coachella valley, the sunrise was particularly exquisite. The Salton Sea glittered and the ascending sun turned the San Jacinto range pink.

I met Kathy W between the 4400 foot marker and Flat Rock – she looked great. For once I didn’t crack on the never-ending ridge, which was a good omen for doing C2C. At Flat Rock I came upon a meeting of the Skyline Club -- Cy (the honorary lifetime president), Maria, Cathy, Don, Max and Leila. I felt fabulous and kept climbing to maintain the momentum. Shortly ran into Steve who was taking a break to enjoy the pristine day -- I met him on Skyline several weeks ago.

I reached Long Valley at 9:25 (5 hours and 35 minutes) – my fastest time yet. The die was cast – I was headed for the summit. Stopped at the Ranger Station to wash off the blood from my usual Skyline-related cuts and scrapes so that I wouldn’t scare other hikers on the way. By Round Valley I was starving (Gatorade and gels are not very satiating) and took a short break to refuel with pistachios.

After Wellman’s divide, I started to lag. As usual, the stretch to the Miller switchback seemed to go on forever. I finally passed the 0.3 mile to go sign. Right around the hut, I ran into Steve Gossett and friends from San Diego. I met Steve G on my first C2C last year – talk about synchronicity. He introduced me as “the survivor from the hut.” Hmm, perhaps I should wear a wig so that I can hike incognito. After a quick hug, he was headed back down the Devil’s Slide trail.

I met Greg from Orange County while scrambling over the rocks to the summit. This was his first C2C and he looked fabulous. He had started 30 minutes later and passed me. We enjoyed perfect summit weather – about 50 degrees with a light breeze. On the way down I met Kathy W near the Miller switchback – she was moving right along and still looked good. I caught back up to Greg shortly after Round Valley and we hiked back together. We saw Soames and Leah at the Ranger Station.

Greg and I reached the tram at 3 PM and had celebratory beers at the tram bar. I also met Bob and his friend from Orange County – it was Bob’s first C2C as well. While waiting for a cab, Bob and I discovered we share of history of triathlons. They kindly paid the fare. I headed off to Las Consuelas to refuel before the drive home.

The next time I want to feel like this, I'll set my alarm and just have someone come over and beat me with chains. Seriously though, I'm happy to be alive and able to complete my second C2C.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[tinaballina]

i must have just missed you guys, i didn't get started until 7am, that was a bit late with the time change, live and learn.
i got to the tram by 11:30, thought i could catch Cy but i must have just done so.
it was a great day on the mountain.
i attempted baldy yesterday unaware of the weather conditions the night before. i wasn't prepared and had to turn aroudn half way up manker flats.
they are saying next weekend will be in the high 90s, go figure.

[Cy Kaicener]

Tina - I left four and a half hours before you with three other people and only got to Long Valley at 10.20 am. It was the fifth time in six weeks.