Cactus to Clouds (C2C) / 23 Miles / 10,500 Gain

It's been a long while since I've lead a hike, so what better way to come back than to do C2C. Here's some more information about the hike!

Mileage: 23 Miles

Very Strenuous

Description:

The Cactus to Clouds Trail from Palm Springs, California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs,_California), to San Jacinto Peak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jacinto_Peak) is a hiking trail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiking_trail#Walking_trails) with the greatest elevation gain of any trail in the United States.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus_to_Clouds_Trail#cite_note-1) Also known as the Skyline Trail, it climbs 8,000 feet from the desert to Long Valley where it joins with the main trail to gain another 2,600 feet to the summit. The trail is ten miles to the tram in Long Valley or twenty miles to San Jacinto Peak and back down to the tram.

The trail starts behind the Palm Springs Art Museum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_Art_Museum). The bottom portion, known as the Museum Trail, continues to a junction with the North Lykken Trail. At its end it joins the Desert View Nature Trail. Hikers may proceed to Long Valley and then continue to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_Aerial_Tramway) or San Jacinto Peak.

Getting There:

From Los Angeles take I-10 east to CA 111. Take CA 111 into the town of Palm Springs where CA 111 turns into Palm Canyon Drive. Make a right onto W. Tahquitz Canyon Way to Museum Drive. The trailhead is located at the Palm Springs Desert Museum (http://www.psmuseum.org/) at 101Museum Drive. Also the trail can be reached by continuing on Palm Canyon Drive and making a right onto W. Ramon Road and following it to the end. Unless you are returning to the trailhead you will need to arrange a car shuttle or leave your vehicle at the Palm Springs Aerial Tram (http://www.pstramway.com/) and take a taxi to the trailhead. Most people who hike this trail take the aerial tram down the mountain. If you do plan on hiking back to the trailhead it will be a 35 mile day. If not, your hike will be 23 miles.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/b/2/2/600_400051522.jpeg

What to Bring:

1. Hiking Boots

2. Head Lamp

3. Poles

4. Layers of Clothing

5. Food

6. Money for the Tram Down & Taxi back to Cars

7. A BIG heart for success!

and more and more water!!!! :)

PLEASE NOTE :

My hikes are for the strong at heart and will be moving at a good pace, (but not super fast). There will be NO sweeper and you are ultimately responsible for yourselves. I'm only here to lead you in the right direction, so please know your limits as this hike is a butt-kicker!!!