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Topic: The Skyline Trail, Journey from desert to pines in a day< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
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HikingJim Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Dec. 14 2012, 5:07 pm  Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
I recently hiked from the Colorado Desert at 500' to Long Valley in the San Jacinto Mountains at 8500' -- a gain over 8000' in a single day.  I thought I'd share some pics from what many consider one of the most challenging hikes in the Southwestern United States.  Full trip report here:  A Journey Up the Skyline Trail.

Photos
Near the desert trailhead before dawn:


Still in the desert, eight miles to go:


Reality check:

(not to mention about 7000' of vertical gain yet to go)

Looking down at Palm Springs, pre-dawn:


Sun just below the horizon:


Dawn in the desert:


continued...

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Adventures In Stoving
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HikingJim Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Dec. 14 2012, 5:08 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
...continued

Desert plants:


Steep desert terrain:


Salton Sea illuminated by the morning sun:


Relentless sun (even in late fall):


So close and yet so far (4000'+ vertical yet to go):


Looking back:


Looking north to the four highest peaks in Southern California (all worthy climbs in and of themselves):


Leaving low desert climate, entering high desert.  Pines can be seen in the heights in the distance.


Rugged terrain:


Out of the desert and into chapparral (about 6000' elevation):


continued...

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HikingJim Search for posts by this member.

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PostIcon Posted on: Dec. 14 2012, 5:10 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
...continued

Looking back again:


Finally!  Into some pines and some freaking shade!


Traversing toward Coffmans Crag:


Reaching Coffmans Crag:


Last major ascent (about 8000' elevation):


The top at last!


Later:  Tired but happy!


Hope you enjoyed the photos.  Full trip report including maps at:  A Journey Up the Skyline Trail  

HJ

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PostIcon Posted on: Dec. 24 2012, 6:41 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic. Skip to the next post in this topic. Ignore posts   QUOTE
Nice. I love the desert.
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PostIcon Posted on: Jan. 02 2013, 11:47 pm Skip to the previous post in this topic.  Ignore posts   QUOTE
Thank You! Always thought that would be a cool hike!
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4 replies since Dec. 14 2012, 5:07 pm < Next Oldest | Next Newest >

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