3:15am at the Art Museum. I stayed the night at a motel across the street and had an easy walk to the trailhead. It's already almost 75 degrees though!
I was worried about following the trail in the dark, but it wasn't too bad. The scouting trip the previous week definitely helped.
The Palm Springs skyline.
Sunrise just before 5:30am. I haven't seen anyone on the the trail yet.
Almost halfway.
The little blue dot is the top of the tram still a few thousand feet above.
A beautiful early morning. I'm starting to pass a few groups now that must have started much earlier than me. All but one were only headed to Long Valley…
I had been down this part of the trail in the dark, but never up it. Definitely a different look this time of day.
Made it to Rescue Box #2.
Starting to get close to the ridge with the moon still visible above.
I always love this rock.
Made it to Long Valley in exactly 6 hours, about 30min faster than last week, and only about 30min slower than my best time.
Always nice up here. This would be under 6" of snow the following day!
A buck strikes a majestic pose for me.
Made it to the Hut.
Summitted! It was crowded and cold on top. Only two other groups did C2C today, and I was the only solo party. I stayed for about 30 minutes and then headed…
Always hard to believe you start waaayyy down there.
More deer on the way down.
View from the tram station as I wait for the one-way ride down and then an Uber back to the car. Almost exactly 12 hours for the full C2C, and probably a little…