C2C

After a good hike the weekend before I figured it was time to finally do the Cactus to Clouds trail. As expected the weather was outstanding. I was basically in shorts the whole day and only put on a light sweater near the summit (amazing for February). 

I went for the full meal deal and hiked from the museum parking lot to San Jacinto and all the way back. I'm pretty sure I've never hiked a trail with more switchbacks. Compared to my Iron/Baldy hike the weekend before this one was definitely harder. 

Shortly beyond the Long Valley ranger station the regular trail was excessively icy though the summit was mostly clear. 

From the trailhead I reached Long Valley in 4 hrs 12 mins and the summit in 6 hrs 26 mins. From the summit back to the trailhead was 5 hrs 30 mins. 

As expected the hike down from Long Valley was pretty brutal and certainly isn't one I would care to do very often. I was hoping to get down before dark but ended up having to use my headlamp for about 20 minutes. 

http://www.mt-whitney.info/viewtopic.php?t=1117&highlight=c2c

Log

05:57am - Left trailhead
06:20am - Reached picnic area
06:30am - Reached the famous caution sign
10:09am - Reached Long Valley
10:14am - Reached Ranger Station
10:53am - Reached Round Valley
11:26am - Reached Wellman Divide
12:23pm - Reached summit of San Jacinto
12:45pm - Left Summit
02:23pm - Returned to Long Valley Ranger Station
02:31pm - Began descent from Long Valley
05:45pm - Returned to the caution sign
05:50pm - Reached picnic area
06:15pm - Reached TH

Stats

Time from TH to Long Valley: 4 hrs 12 mins
Time from TH to summit: 6 hrs 26 mins
Time from Long Valley Ranger Station to summit: 2 hrs 9 mins
Time on summit: 22 mins
Time from summit to Ranger Station: 1 hr 38 mins
Time from Long Valley back to TH: 3 hrs 44 mins
Time from summit back to TH: 5 hrs 30 mins
Total time: 12 hrs 18 mins