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Skyline Trail by Davis2001r6  Overview Have you ever wanted a real challenge? If so, this is your hike. Cactus to 2 Clouds climbs from the Desert of Palm Springs, CA to the highpoint on Mt. San Jacinto, gaining over 10K feet in the process. The good part is you get to take a tram down from 8K feet. Warning The hike to the tram is difficult to say the least, gaining 8K feet in just 10 miles. It is also the most remote. The trail is east facing so you will have an early start to get up off the desert floor before sunrise. There is no water along this part of the trail and you may not see another person either. Don't even consider doing this hike in the middle of summer, if you do have the helicopter on speed dial. In winter mountaineering equipment will be required just to get to the tram, ice and crampons a must. People have fallen to their death a few miles below the tram trying to traverse the icy trail. Hike The hike begins in the city of Palm Springs. There are two trailheads, on at the back of a subdivision where Ramon Road dead ends and the other is the one in which I used starts at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The trail climbs steeply for the first few miles and is also the hardest part to follow with a maze of zig-zags and switchbacks. You will need an early start (3-4am) to get out of the lower section before sunrise. As you gain in elevation you get into more shrubbery and then lots of Manzanita. Even higher you're hiking through pine trees with some of the largest pine cones you will ever see. The trail is fairly easy to follow most of the way, it's gotten more use in recent years, there are white dots spray painted on many rocks for a good portion of the trail. Similar to what you may have seen on the Siphon Draw trail to Flat Iron. They light up nicely with a headlamp at night to steer you in the right direction. As for most hikes, if you think your off trail, just retrace your steps for a bit till you find the trail again. From the tram to the summit of San Jacinto the trail is very clear and signed as well at all the junctions. Only near the very top it's just a bit of a scramble whichever way you would like. There is a summit house about 100 yards and down a bit from the Summit, some have been known to spend the night in there. Including one women last winter with a broken leg that had to make camp in there for 3 days until weather could clear to get rescuers up to her. Mileage for the hike Palm Springs to the tram - 10 miles one way. From the tram to the summit is another 5.5 miles one way, 11 miles roundtrip to get back to the tram. If you do the full Cactus to Clouds you're looking at a difficult 21 mile day. Water There is no water for the first 10 miles on the trail. Once you reach the tram level there is water at the Long Valley Ranger Station, the outside faucet was turned off, so I just filled up from the bathroom sink. There is also water available at the tram, but that requires going up about 200 feet of ramp and steps to get up to it. Piped water is available 2 miles up from the Tram at the Round Valley Camp. Camping Is available above the tram at Round Valley. You need to get a Wilderness Permit Application from the State Park, it says to send it in at least 10 days before your trip but less than 8 weeks. Walk up permits may be available in the non peak seasons. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
