Fri, Oct 23 · 11:00 PM PDT
Cactus to Tram (Skyline Trail) — Overnight Hike
Friday, October 23, 2026 | 11:00 PM – Saturday, October 24, approximately 8:00 AM
Distance: Approximately 10.5 miles
Elevation gain: Approximately 8,000 feet
Pace: Steady, moderate hiking pace
Difficulty: Extremely strenuous — experienced hikers only
I'm looking for a few experienced hikers to join me for an overnight ascent of Skyline Trail in Palm Springs.
Our plan:
We'll start together at 11 PM and hike at a steady, sustainable pace, aiming to reach the tram station Saturday morning. Anyone wishing to continue toward San Jacinto Peak may do so independently, but my plan is to finish at the tram and descend by tram as early as possible.
This is a demanding hike with significant elevation gain and challenging navigation, especially in darkness. Participants should be comfortable with strenuous mountain hiking and have experience on trails such as Mount Baldy or San Gorgonio.
Important requirements:
Download an offline GPS trail map in advance. Navigation can be tricky in the dark.
Bring sufficient water, electrolytes, food, a reliable headlamp with backup lighting, and appropriate clothing for changing temperatures.
Be physically prepared for approximately 8,000 feet of continuous climbing.
Have a safe turnaround and emergency plan. We will discuss turnaround decisions before starting; no one should assume that descending Skyline alone at night is a safe fallback.
Understand that this is an informal hike among experienced hikers, not a guided outing.
A little about me:
I've completed Skyline several times, as well as the full Cactus to Clouds hike. However, it's been over a year since my last ascent because of family responsibilities, and I'm looking forward to returning to this extraordinary trail.
I'd love to share the experience with hikers who appreciate a challenging climb, the peacefulness of the mountains at night, and the beauty of watching the desert give way to the high country.
Please message me if you're interested, and tell me a little about your recent hiking experience! 🥾⛰️