Monday, October 31, 2011

Cactus to Clouds on November 5

Cactus-to-Clouds before the Clocks Turn Back!


Selected By: Tina

We will meet in the Museum parking lot.
Selected By: Tina

101 N. Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA (map)
"The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!"  - John Muir
We will take advantage of the last day of Daylight Savings Time to hike C2C. According to Wikipedia, the "Cactus to Clouds trail involves an arduous climb of over 10,000 feet from the Palm Springs Art Museum [at approximately 450 feet] to the summit at 10,834 feet. The mountain is quite rugged in places, with several outdoor hazards that hikers may be unprepared for, including high altitude, severe weather, steep rock faces, and wild animals. Hikers and climbers die or are harmed every year."
C2C is a very beautiful but extremely strenuous and potentially dangerous hike. If you would like to attend, and if you have done a recent hike with at least 5000 feet of elevation gain, please sign up by joining the Waiting list. If we have hiked with you before, or if we know about your hiking experience, we will add you to the Going list. This sign-up process is for your safety and the safety of the group. Thanks for your understanding!
Details
Difficulty Level: Very Strenuous
Start Time: 3:00 a.m.
Elevation Gain/Loss: over 10,000 ft gain/2600 feet loss
Maximum Elevation: 10,834 feet at the summit of Mount San Jacinto
Pace: Moderate but steady for 13 to 14 hours total (it's possible it could take as long as 16 hours)
Trail head: Palm Springs Art Museum parking lot
Descent: Tram down and cab ride back to cars
Carpooling: Highly recommended
Don't Forget to Bring
Money: The cost for the one-way tram ride is approxima $12.00. We will then share a cab or two back to the Museum. The cab fare usually ends up being about $5.00 per person. Bring extra money if you want to purchase food/beverages at the Tram station.
Headlamp and extra batteries: We will be hiking in the dark for the first few hours.
Ten Essentials: The standard hiking/outdoor emergency gear, including first aid kit and moleskin. The classic and updated lists with a good explanation: http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/te...
Water and Food: At least three liters of water (we can refill at the Tram station), snacks, lunch, energy bars, gels and definitely electrolytes. Electrolytes are especially important to prevent or stop cramps.
Layered Clothing: The temperature can drop up to 30 degrees as we ascend, so bring layers, including hat and gloves.
Weather
Forecast for the trail head: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?Ci...
Forecast for the peak: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?la...
Stormy weather and/or snow/ice on the trail will cancel.
Waiver
Every year there are many rescues on Skyline and over past years several hikers have died. Please do not attempt this hike unless you know that you are capable of doing it and please bring the necessary essentials. Skyline is especially dangerous in warm or hot weather. Please note that you agree to pay for any medical or legal cost involved in case of an injury to yourself, and request your heirs to respect your agreed waiver in case of a death due to any reason, by signing up for this event.
  • Rod  (Cat Herding Specialist)
    Rod (Cat Herding Specialist) Wow! I guess I am going to miss making the C2C this year. :(
    Posted October 10 at 6:15 PM
  • Muku
    Muku Anyone takes 15N to 10E and for sure do C2C can pick me up on the way? I'm in 3:45am group but I'll wait =)
    Posted October 22 at 6:50 PM
  • Muku
    Muku Ivy or Jeff? (save me...) =)
    Posted October 22 at 6:51 PM
  • Jeff waterfallman
    Jeff waterfallman Muku, you already have a seat with me, Ivy, and Michael meeting at Corona pnr.
    Posted October 22 at 11:09 PM
  • Muku
    Muku Oh, did I? Awesome! Thank you, Jeff =) What time?
    Posted October 22 at 11:18 PM
  • Muku
    Muku Oh, did I? Awesome! Thank you, Jeff =) What time?
    Posted October 22 at 11:19 PM
  • Jeff waterfallman
    Jeff waterfallman Muku/Ivy, Michael will let us know.
    Posted October 23 at 6:29 AM
  • Perry A
  • Perry A
    Perry A a different start point but much of the plot line matches our route:
    http://dsusd.k12.ca.us/hikes/Cactus%20To%20Clouds.html
    Posted Yesterday at 10:04 AM
  • Perry A
    Perry A I did this same hike with a different group on the 29th and 2 people took over 17 hrs to complete the hike. I did my best to talk them into turning back to no avail. You do NOT want to sign up for this hike if you are not really prepared. It is a lot harder than Mt. Whitney - based on what more than once recent Whitney hiker told me in person. ;)
    Posted Yesterday at 4:35 PM
  • Perry A
    Perry A We had lots of walki-talki hand radios in the group and communication between the sub-groups was easier.
    Posted Yesterday at 4:37 PM
  • Muku
    Muku Tina and Kathryn, JUST ASKING, do we still really start @ 3am? Other group is talking "later start" due to cooling down....
    Posted Yesterday at 9:20 PM
  • Florian
    Florian Sorry Tina, I'll drop :( I did C2C this week-end with no sleep and it was tough for me... don't want to do it again with no sleep 3 weeks in a row :) Hope to hike sometime soon with you. Can't wait for the snow !
    Posted 24 minutes ago
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