[neek]

Happened to choose a day when Palm Springs was about as warm as Seattle for this hike. Left our fantastic Airbnb place on foot around 3am this morning. Headed up the North Lykken Trail and soon hit the skyline trail and proceeded along the standard "cactus to clouds" route, well documented elsewhere, without incident. Hit the top around noon. Here are some shots:

After gaining 10800 ft in 16 miles we weren't too keen on hiking all the way back, so went 6 miles back to Long Valley, had beers, and took the tram down. Then a Lyft back to the house. While the original intent of escaping Northwest spring gloom didn't really pan out, since Seattle weather was spectacular today, we had a great time and are glad to check this one off. Got an early enough start that crowds weren't an issue, barely saw anyone on the way up. Weather was perfect; 90 on the valley floor today and maybe 50 at the top. I drank about 3 L water but generally it's advisable to bring much more. Can't imagine doing this one in real heat.

[awilsondc]

Nice job! That's a classic, and a helluva hike. So much elevation gain!

[RichP]

That's a stiff climb.

[John Morrow]

Turn the volume up San Jacinto

Thick cloud - steam rising - hissing stone on sweat lodge fire Around me - buffalo robe - sage in bundle - rub on skin Outside - cold air - stand, wait for rising sun Red paint - eagle feathers - coyote calling - it has begun Something moving in - I taste it in my mouth and in my heart It feels like dying - slow - letting go of life Medicine man lead me up through town - Indian ground - so far down Cut up land - each house - a pool - kids wearing water wings - drink in cool Follow dry river bed - watch Scout and Guides make pow-wow signs Past Geronimo's disco - Sit 'n' Bull steakhouse - white men dream A rattle in the old man's sack - look at mountain top - keep climbing up Way above us the desert snow - white wind blow I hold the line - the line of strength that pulls me through the fear San Jacinto - I hold the line San Jacinto - the poison bite and darkness take my sight - I hold the line And the tears roll down my swollen cheek - think I'm losing it - getting weaker I hold the line - I hold the line San Jacinto - yellow eagle flies down from the sun - from the sun We will walk - on the land We will breathe - of the air We will drink - from the stream We will live - hold the line

[Midnight Slogger]

Super cool, thanks for posting this Nick.

[Schroder]

After 11k gain in 9 hours I guess you deserved the tram down.

[User-Name]

Just adding some of my own pix to the T.R. Palm Springs and the desert around it are incredible and well worth the journey. The flight is tolerably brief, the town quirky and fun, and the hike up San Jacinto is unforgettable.

Main Trailhead sign...

Had a chance to visit the Art Museum and its incredible collections on the day before the hike. Some of the amazing work of realist scultor Duane Hanson...

Early morning light above Palm Springs...

Cactus at first light...

More kewl cacti...

The middle section of the route is a very fun ramble through cacti and yucca...

Palm Springs from the summit of San Jacinto...

A cool old cabin near the top...

Escaping the heat on the mountain slopes 10,000 feet above the desert floor...

the final leg of the route: the ramp to the tram center...

Gawkers...

Observing the observers...

Climbing aboard the rotating tram car...REALLY FUN!

Weeeeee!

Some classic Palm Springs commercial architecture....

...and a residence.

[User-Name]

...and if you decide to take an early-morning urban hike while it Palm Springs, as we did, tread lightly...some of the good citizens may be sleeping late ...