Report & Photo Link - Skyline Ridge (C2C) - 12/11/05
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:48 pm
Okay, it has been done, at least the really tough part. The original plan was to make it to Jacinto Summit and complete the Cactus to Clouds hike, but due to bad knees for my partner, the choice was made to cut it short - for today. That being said, we had the gear and were prepared to summit, but instead/retrospect, we simply hauled gear uphill. No matter, better to be prepared than...whatever.
So for the long and short of it, at 0445 hours and just us the whole day, we head out in the dark, about 50 degrees at the Museum; the info is correct, the trail is unrelenting from the start. After bumbling around the picnic tables looking for the "trailhead rock", we find it and head onward and upward, did I mention upward. The air was clear and the temps never go above 53 degrees. There is snow, about 1/4 to 1 inch near the top just below the notch, but other than that, dry and upward. Long Valley was 40 degrees and clear, in the sun. Much cooler in the shade and the hill below the notch. Took us 9 hours to reach Long Valley; had a few stops to rest and eat at the "small level area", "flatrock", and again just before the "big rock where you turn left before the cliff" as one site directs... The first time is always the most awkward, so the story goes - but I must have more.
Anyway, this is one to talk about. Folks at the tram stared in awe as Tram workers merely shook their heads. Seriously, this is one tough, unrelenting trudge, uphill, ~8000 feet from the floor to the tram.
Looking forward to snowshoeing up Jacinto Summit this winter - thats right, it must be done.
Follow this link for some shots of the trip.
http://www.dnkrhodes.com/main/thumbnails.php?album=49
So for the long and short of it, at 0445 hours and just us the whole day, we head out in the dark, about 50 degrees at the Museum; the info is correct, the trail is unrelenting from the start. After bumbling around the picnic tables looking for the "trailhead rock", we find it and head onward and upward, did I mention upward. The air was clear and the temps never go above 53 degrees. There is snow, about 1/4 to 1 inch near the top just below the notch, but other than that, dry and upward. Long Valley was 40 degrees and clear, in the sun. Much cooler in the shade and the hill below the notch. Took us 9 hours to reach Long Valley; had a few stops to rest and eat at the "small level area", "flatrock", and again just before the "big rock where you turn left before the cliff" as one site directs... The first time is always the most awkward, so the story goes - but I must have more.
Anyway, this is one to talk about. Folks at the tram stared in awe as Tram workers merely shook their heads. Seriously, this is one tough, unrelenting trudge, uphill, ~8000 feet from the floor to the tram.
Looking forward to snowshoeing up Jacinto Summit this winter - thats right, it must be done.
Follow this link for some shots of the trip.
http://www.dnkrhodes.com/main/thumbnails.php?album=49
