Cactus to Clouds: 2nd Chance

Backpacker Magazine ranks Cactus to Clouds the 5th hardest day hike in the United States ("America's Hardest Dayhikes" by Mike Lanza, May 2005). In the article, Mr. Lanza points out that it is a "big deal to climb Mt. Whitney, but on the highest peak in the lower 48, you begin at 8,360 feet. To conquer Cactus to Clouds, you start on the desert floor and ascend 10,700 feet – a vertical half-mile more than Whitney." He also states, "The trek to San Jacinto's 10,804-foot boulder-strewn crown is only 800 vertical feet shorter than the climb from Everest basecamp to summit." While I haven't fact-checked Mr. Lanza's claims, I do know this hike is a whole bunch of fun (I think I'm even addicted to it).

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/b/c/e/event_22479886.jpegSo, if you're a hiking addict as well, have recently completed a long hike with at least a 6,000-foot elevation gain, and were not able to sign up for Tina's and Kathryn's hike, here's your second chance to hike C2C before the time changes. Please read the warnings and waiver below, and if you're still interested, sign up for the waitlist. Priority will be given to folks on Tina's and Kathryn's waitlist with the appropriate and verifiable hiking experience. Since Cactus to Clouds is potentially a very strenuous hike (again, please read the warnings below) and since this is my first time leading this hike, this sign-up process is necessary for your safety and the safety of the group. Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding.

Warnings
It's true … on a clear day at the top, we can see every major peak in Southern California and all the way to the coast, but to get there we will likely encounter wild temperature inversions from the desert to the peak as well as possible rain, hail, and snow up high. On this hike, we could experience all four seasons in less than 12 hours. For the Skyline portion of the hike, the Palm Springs record high in November is 102F, and the average high is 79F. And yet we may need micro-spikes or even crampons above 6000 feet.

Additionally, the steep ascent (approximately 8,400 feet in just the first 8 or 9 miles with another 2,400 feet to the summit) and change in altitude (we start at approximately 450 feet above sea level and summit at 10,834 feet) may necessitate that some hikers turn back.

Also, depending on the weather, I plan to shave approximately four miles off of the usual roundtrip from the Ranger's Station to the summit (a shortcut Jack recently shared with me), so we may or may not be hiking with Tina's and Kathryn's group on this leg of the hike, and our ascent from the Ranger's Station may be a little steeper (approximately the same elevation gain in about two-thirds the distance).

Adverse weather conditions may cancel this hike, but a little rain and/or snow should provide for a good time … right? Big grin (hiking is so much freaking fun!!!).

Waiver
Every year there are many rescues on this hike and in particular on the Skyline portion, and in the past, hikers have died. Please do not attempt this hike unless you KNOW that you are capable and can bring all of the necessary essentials. By signing up for this hike, you agree to pay for any medical or legal costs should you incur any injury, and you request your heirs, family members, and friends to respect your agreed waiver in case of an injury or death for any reason. Also by signing up for this hike, you agree that you are the only person responsible for your safety and well-being and that you will not hold the hike leaders or any other hiker responsible.

Details

Difficulty Level: Very Strenuous Start Time: 3:30AM (meet in the Palm Springs Art Museum parking lot at 3:20AM) Elevation Gain/Loss: over 10,500 ft gain/2600 ft loss Maximum Elevation: 10,834 feet Pace: Moderate but steady (no long breaks) for 12 to 16 hours Descent: Tram down and share a cab back to cars Packing Up
Please bring money for the tram ride down (approximately $12.00) and the shared cab ride back to the cars (approximately $5.00) as well as a little extra for cheers afterward in the Tram Station.

Please carry at least 3 liters of water and enough food to maintain your energy and compensate for your calorie depletion (it's rumored that a hiker can burn up to 400 calories per hour on Skyline). To avoid cramping, you may need to maintain your electrolyte balance with SaltStick caps or electrolyte gels from REI (ask your doctor).

Also remember to bring the ten-plus essentials (see REI's Ten-plus Essentials (http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/ten+essentials.html)) as well as the appropriate snow and ice gear if necessary.

Temperatures can change dramatically, and we may experience very cold and very windy conditions during our ascent, so please bring layers including a warm hat, gloves, wind jacket and insulation (fleece or down).

Weather
Forecast for the Trailhead (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Palm+Springs&state=CA&site=SGX&textField1=33.8303&textField2=-116.544&e=0)
Forecast for the Peak (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.81766299090527&lon=-116.67926788330078&site=sgx&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text)
Again, adverse weather conditions may cancel this hike.

I look forward to leaving some footprints behind with you. Thanks for stopping by.