Cactus to Clouds, CA :: Water & Last Tram

[Jim]

Blame Chumley for this one.

It's looking like a very real possibility that the severe drought has left southern California's mountains completely bare of snow at what should be the middle of the deep, snowy winter, above 8,000'. As a result, I had thought I might be able to hike Cactus to Clouds around the 7th or 8th, if I was able to get in a couple of good training hikes over the last few days, and some maintenance hikes on the 2 remaining days off, during the next week. Alas, I got a lovely winter cold from a coworker, and I won't be attempting the full 21 miles and 11,000'+ of AEG. However, the questions still stand.

Water, is it available at the upper Tram station?

The last tram down is at 945 PM, unless noted by the Tram's website?

Actually, I don't know how much I might attempt, as being sick knocked me back so that 360' was a lot today. I love how the human body seems to destroy itself when it gets sick. I may still attempt a 1 way Palm Springs to the Tram station, or up and down. Up only is rather short, but it is about 9,000' of AEG over 10 miles. That would be a personal best, even if not over 10,000', as I had hoped.

On the other hand, a huge storm could develop out of nowhere, the mountain could be buried under snow, and all of this could be moot.

[BobP]

Don't get water from the ranger station joe says it's plumbed to the sewage system. There are vending machines that have water and there is a bar for other beverages at the tram.

[Jim]

Oh, the water can't be that bad. Is it?

Actually, if I just did a 1 way hike up, tram down, I probably would carry 4 liters of water, and not have to worry about water on top. I would have thought water up there would be as good as the stuff in the Sierra, which is usually excellent.

Thanks.

[big_load]

I'm ignoring this question, but only because I'm ignorant of the correct answer. (I didn't want to join the herd lurking ignorantly in the shadows. I'm out in the open, fair game for anyone with enough firepower to bag an ignoramus). :STP:

[joebartels]

It was horrible. I'm guessing that's not typical or others would undoubtedly mention it. Nevertheless I'd prehydrate and just carry a few quarts.

Might ask syoung to check this weekend ( you probably already saw his post, but just in case )
http://hikearizona.com/trip=99041

[Jim]

I had not. Ironic that his was right above mine.

[Dave1]

C2C may be in trouble:

http://popupbackpacker.com/please-help- ... er-trails/

[KwaiChang]

C2C may be in trouble:

http://popupbackpacker.com/please-help- ... er-trails/

I thought this was sneaked through in the last act that the scum in Washington passed at the end of the last session? I sure hope not. I have come to see the BLM as the Evil Empire.....

[chumley]

@Dave1
I would have to do more research on the proposal, but C2C already crosses two segments of ACIR land covering 2.36 miles. This swap would just mean an additional 1.4 miles of the route and a third segment would traverse tribal land. I'm not sure why the swap would cause any change to the way the tribe administers visitor access now.

The swap would not change the land status of either the beginning or the end of the route, which is most often how access is restricted.

I wonder why the tribe would suddenly disallow permission for hikers to cross their land just because they added another square on the checkerboard?

Then again. The route has always crossed native land to begin with, so any previous access should be appreciated and not taken for granted. The proposed land swap is irrelevant here.

[Jim]

Anyone ever eat at the Tram restaurant?

Is the food any good for a mid-day meal, but not too expensive? They don't have a menu posted on-line, and I want to hike up and down the Skyline in a couple of weeks, skipping the summit or a full C2C since it is too early, and would like to eat something real on top. I'd probably buy water, too, or get it from some other source up top, since I expect to need at least 4 liters to descend.

Out of curiosity, I wonder if anyone can comment on trail condition. Is it more like Finger Rock, rough and rocky, or smooth and super well maintained, like a GCNP trail?

[joebartels]

The restaurant is run as a package deal, I wouldn't count on much. Oddity on our first trip. Berk walks up. You can see coffee brewed in the background. Cup of coffee. We're not open. They open in like ten minutes. The first tram hasn't arrived. The guy is sitting in the echo chamber, staring at us. Berk... how 'bout five bucks. We're not open.

He never flinched. Which was good as I think we were the prey.
Just one incident, tens of thousands probably had no issues.

The trail is not national park quality but it's good. The exact route is semi questionable in a couple spot in the lower range. That said there is no concern that lasts over ten seconds. No climbing over rocks. In my first year it seemed sliding backwards steep near the big boulder before 8k. Never noticed that since.

Sandal walking smooth for a bit after Mountain Station. The long switchbacks near the top seem like the most uneven terrain, perhaps due to fatigue.