Ski Mt San Jacinto this week?

[Rallyroo]

Few years ago, I was crazy enough to do the Cactus to Clouds Trail during the month of February; 500' to 10,834' for an elevation gain of 10,334', in one day. The trail basically starts in Downtown Palm Springs and ends up at the top of Mt San Jacinto.

12 miles to the top of of the Palm Springs Tram 500' to 8000'
6 miles to the summit 8000' to 10,334'
6 miles back to the tram
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24 miles in a day while hauling winter gear (ice ax, crampons, etc)

Then take the tram down for free (used to be free for the one way trip down, but I think there is a fee now). The tram operators figured who would hike up to the top of the tram anyways?

[kellymoe]

Few years ago, I was crazy enough to do the Cactus to Clouds Trail during the month of February; 500' to 10,834' for an elevation gain of 10,334', in one day. The trail basically starts in Downtown Palm Springs and ends up at the top of Mt San Jacinto.

12 miles to the top of of the Palm Springs Tram 500' to 8000'
6 miles to the summit 8000' to 10,334'
6 miles back to the tram
=============
24 miles in a day while hauling winter gear (ice ax, crampons, etc)

Then take the tram down for free (used to be free for the one way trip down, but I think there is a fee now). The tram operators figured who would hike up to the top of the tram anyways?

That sounds gnarly, where does the trail start? That is way rugged country on the PS side of the mountain.

[Rallyroo]

That sounds gnarly, where does the trail start? That is way rugged country on the PS side of the mountain.

The trailhead for Cactus to Cloud starts at Palm Springs Desert Museum. The Cactus to Cloud trail has the reputation as one of the most difficult day hikes in the US.

[Co-opski]

Well done.