Cactus to Clouds - 10/9/2010

Cactus to Clouds - 24 miles, 10,000 elevation gain.  It follows

the Skyline trail out of Palm Springs - elevation  500' -

to the summit of San Jacinto - elevation 10,834' -

and then back to Tram station - elevation 8,516'. 

To complete a C2C2C - return back to Palm Springs museum -

about an additional 10 miles.

 C2C = 24 miles 10,000 gain 2,000 loss 

C2C2C = 34 miles 10,000 gain 10,000 loss

Considered to be the toughest day hike out there.  That is

if 34 miles is still considered a day hike. 

With the goal of a complete C2C2C, we get a 2am start. 

It was 60 in Palm Springs and getting

 colder.  Hoping the sun will warm things up a bit. 



I've done Skyline twice before this attempt.

A few pics (from an earlier trip) of the lower Skyline trail.

On weekends there are usually 30 +
hikers doing Skyline. 

About 5 miles to go to the notch and Tram station.

We'll head for that big smooth rock and

up the chute on it's left.  3 miles from here to

flatrock.

Back to the current hike -

7 miles in and the first sign of sunrise.  A little slow going in

the dark - no moon at all. 



Took a short break to eat and watch the sunrise.
Cold and getting colder.  We had to get
going - Hector forgot to bring a jacket.   

  

This is just above flatrock.  Between here and the notch
is the roughest part.  Relentless.

We met this 72 year old guy at flat rock.  He's climbed this over 

 50 times. Man is fit!

 I can still hear him, come on Larry,

almost there!  Friggin 72 year old mountain goat.

Below the tram station.  Just a few more minutes to the Notch.

At the Notch - just under 12 miles with 8,000' of elevation

gain - 6 hours 10 min.  That completes the Skyline portion of the trip. 

The guy standing next to the women in pink is Fern - Mr Ambassador of the Skyline trail.  The nicest

guy you'll ever hope to meet and an absolute
freak of nature (fast and fearless).

We got our self issued permit for the peak and headed out. 

Another 5.5 miles and over 2,000' of elevation to the top.

Looking back towards the Notch. 

It's been easy hiking since the notch but we are whipped.

 

Just below summit.  Stunning day.  Crisp and clear.

Say's it all - we are there!

Summit house built from stacked rocks.   

Break time - 10,834' - 19 miles

Nice views!

It's hard to see but Salton Sea is to the right.

San Gorgonio to the north.

Now the decision, C2C and down the tram or C2C2C?

Decided an ice cold beer at the
tram bar sounded better than
another 10 miles.  We'll have to give it
a go another day.

Met up with a few guys I'd met on a previous
Skyline hike.  We paid the 12 bucks for the ride down
and caught a ride back to Palm Springs.

Perfect day!