Cactus to Clouds Hike, Mt. San Jacinto Peak

Went on this hike from the museum to the tram on Friday 1÷29÷16. Saw about a dozen other hikers for the first mile, then it was pretty deserted afterwards.
The last 2 miles to the tram is brutal in the snow. Took me about 3 hours in knee to waist high snow. Had to use ice axes and crampons.
Started at around noon and got to the tram at around 9PM. The tram facility is right behind the peak so I wasn’t able to see it until I was about 20 feet away. It was dark when I arrived so I wasn’t exactly sure where the tram was but if you hike to the top of the peak you can jump the fence and get to the tram area.
I was actually able to get cell reception on Sprint up to about 6k elevation, depending on the angle to the cell towers.
If you want to take an über from the bottom of the tram to the trailhead (~$ 10), make sure you call the über while riding down the tram! There was cell service for on the ride down on Sprint, but people have issues getting a data connection when they reach the bottom.
Update: As of ²⁄₂₀ — needed microspikes at the traverse (about 7470 ft) and snow shoes for the last 2 miles to the summit. DIdn’t use Ice axe/​real crampons but better to have them than not, check out the mt san jacinto hiking forum for trail conditions and
for weather updates.

You need a lot of time if you’re going to hike up this peak… We came late October and when we arrived at the trail is was around 10am and WARM. We only had a couple hours for a hike due to lunch plans, so we opted to go up for 30 mins and descend for 30 mins. There is a parking structure across the trail, so park there for free. When we got there, parking was packed and we had to wait for a spot. Luckily there was a couple that was leaving and we were able to snag their spot.
As soon as we saw the trailhead, it was already challenging. I wouldn’t recommend this trail for the inexperienced. It’s very steep and the trail is very rigid and rocky. It’s not very wide either which made it a bit challenging when you’re going around people or when people are passing. Luckily we barely saw anyone on the trail, which is odd for the amount of cars in the structure!
As you ascend, you get the cool breeze! Such beautiful and pristine views!!! There are lots of picture spots to stop and just soak it all in. You can even take your lunch/​snacks and have a small picnic — just note though there is no shade!!!
We only went up about a mile due to time constraints, but I would love to hike this again to go farther.
Not for the faint of heart!!!

If the high temp at Palm Springs exceeds 85 °F, I don’t even consider this trail. It’s a fall/​winter trail for me, period. Yes, people do it year round, but I would not unless you’re an experienced hot weather hiker and you like to suffer.
It’s comparable in exertion to Mt. Whitney (via namesake trail) in cool weather. In hot weather, it’s incredibly dangerous and demands a hiking partner or two. I might consider taking a 2-​way GPS beacon like an InReach as well.
Pre-​hydrate with a liter of gatorade before the trail, bring ample electrolyte tablets. Water intoxication is real and you could be vomiting water on the trail before passing out if your salts drop too low.

This hike is challenging physically and mentally — starting basically from sea level, hiking up to 10,834 feet in 15.5 miles, then back down for a total of 23 miles. It is considered the 5^th hardest day hike in the country.
I was warned that this hike would be the most difficult of my hiking career, so I trained quite a bit, doing many level 4 and 5 hikes. Now having accomplished the mission, I can say that, while it is quite difficult for many reasons, it is probably not the most difficult hike I’ve done. When the weather is cool to cold, like our day was, it is so much easier to do a difficult hike. I would not venture to do this one during the summer.
The first 9.5 miles, 8,000 foot elevation are supposed to be the toughest. While tough, I thought the last 2 miles were the toughest. There are many sizes of loose rocks under foot on this single file trail. There are some flat and slightly downhill portions of the first 9.5 miles, which I think allowed for this part not to feel as tough. However, the climb was still quite steep in certain areas.
The last 6 miles, after the tram station, are not that steep. The average ascension is about 500+ feet per mile. For me, though, the hike was so long that, at the last 2 miles, it was mentally challenging to continue on. It just seemed like it would never end. Views from the San Jacinto peak are spectacular and well worth the push onward.
Pearls:
— train smartly and intensely
— take at least 3L of water and electrolytes, then fill up at the tram station
— wear or bring layers if the weather is cold. It is much colder at the peak and with elevation
— wear sunscreen and a hat. Much of the trail is exposed
— stretch before, during, and after the hike
— bring lots of snacks and food and take frequent breaks to eat and drink. You can potentially burn 4,000−5,000 calories.
— it will cost $ 12 to take the tram down. You will need to take a taxi/​über back to your car, if you parked at the Art Museum. It’s too far to walk, and you won’t want to at that point.
Good luck!

One could rate this hike as 5 stars or 1 star depending on your perspective. I’m going with 5 stars because, for its purpose, it’s the best there is. If you want a really tough hike with the maximum possible elevation gain and some very impressive views, this is the best you can do in southern California. If that’s not on your agenda, give it a miss.
Lots of people write frantic warnings of doom and despair on this hike — personally I found it to be strenuous but straightforward. Everyone has to gauge their own abilities, experience, fitness, etc. and choose wisely.
I did this hike solo in late April, got a later start than most (6:00 am), made it to the tram about 12:45 pm, to the peak at 4:45 pm and back to the tram at 7:00 pm. The high in Palm Springs that day was 89 F but the temperature was never an issue to me… the part I liked the least was the downhill from the peak back to the tram at the end of a very long and tiring uphill trek.
If you’re really looking for the ultimate workout, get an earlier start than I did (or be more fit than I am) and go for a «double skyline» — museum to tram twice in a day, about 16,000′ elevation gain — rather than going to the peak. That’s what I’ll try next time.

EXTREMELY CHALLENGING! This hike was amazing but very difficult. Many of the other reviews give you a pretty good idea on what to bring with you (in regards to supplies), but to add to all of those I highly recommend that you take an honest assessment of your physical fitness prior to attempting. If you haven’t been from low altitude to way above sea level before then get ready to be rocked! The people I did it with were in really great shape and still we had multiple people with muscle cramps and nausea towards the end (we all made though). Our total time was 12 hours and 28 minutes, so leave early (we started at 0345) this isn’t a «in and out» type of hike so make sure you are mentally prepared for an all day event. If you really want to see more go to YouTube and search «Cactus to Clouds» there are some great videos to prep you mentally for the hurdles that will come with this challenge. And remember these words while hiking «Obstacles are those things you see when you take your eyes off your goals». Stay safe and buy some salt tablets to prevent the cramps.

Why «5» Stars? Because there is VERY LITTLE DOWNHILL on this hike. I would not rate it as the 5^th hardest hike I’ve ever done simply because of this fact. If I were to do C2C2C, then I’d give it a «hardest hike» rating.
I personally found it easier than say San Gorgonio (coming down Vivian Creek is much harder) due to this fact. The only downhill on this hike is from summit to tram (5.5 miles) and that is a very gradual easy downhill.
If you are someone who excels on uphill, but has knee issues on the downhill … this is the hike for you IMO: D

Cactus to Clouds is one of the hardest hikes you will ever do, now lets get this straight, Cactus to Clouds is the Skyline Trail
, the first 10 – 11 miles and the hardest (leg cramping hard), and then the Palm Springs Tram to San Jacinto Peak Trail
.
This hike is really like hiking two different hikes. The first one gaining the most elevation (8500 feet in 10 – 11 miles) — the Skyline Trial, people have died on this trail from Heat Exhaustion ! The 2^nd part of this hike you deal more with the elevation. (from 8500 feet to 10,834 feet in 6 miles), the elevation change on the 2^nd half is not that much, but you are up At Elevation and that means that some people will find it harder to breath, and that the weather can change very quickly.
You need to bring a lot of water, everyone has different water needs. I myself go through a lot of water. I used 4 L on the first part of the trail (Skyline) and another 3 L on the 2^nd part of the trail (Tram to San Jacinto Peak).
You also need to be prepared for the elements, there can be a dramatic change in climate from the beginning of the hike to the top. This last time we started probably in the 60’s in early morning Palm Springs, by the time we made it to the top we had rain, snow, and sleet being pushed into us with pretty strong winds that left the top at — 5 degrees with the wind chill, by the time we made it back down to the tram I had the very beginnings of frost bite on my fingers from wearing crappy gloves. I’ll plan better next time. But I brought several layers. I started in a Sports T Shirt and by the time I made it to 6000 feet I was also sporting a sport micro fleece top, and then around 9000 feet I was putting on wet weather gear, so you see you need to be prepared.
Make sure you check your equipment before you go. The last time we were on this trail the guy behind us had to ask us to use our light so he could change out the batteries on his headlamp, this was at the very beginning of the trail, I would just assume that you should put in a fresh pair. Depending on how early you start you may be using your headlamp for several hours in the morning and maybe a few in the evening as well depending on what time of year you do this and how long it takes you.
Make sure you bring at least $ 12 for the ride back down the tram, last car down is at 9:45 pm. Also bring some money for a cab, $ 22 back to the museum, and a little extra for a drink with your friends at the tram.
All in all I enjoyed the hike, and even though my friends and I swore we would never do the whole thing again, I’m already thinking about the next time.

Just completed just the Skyline and half the summit (4÷18÷15) and it is a doozy. This makes Baldy look like a joke. I will try to make my review as concise as I can.
Time started and ended:5:30 AM — 4:00 PM — completed Skyline Trail (first 9 miles) 4:00 PM — 6:00 PM = went half way up to summit but had to turn around because would realize we would miss the last tram down. Should have started at 3 AM or 4 AM to complete the hike.
Helpful website (as Peter P pointed below):
Parking: FREE parking ACROSS the museum (plenty of street parking). DON’T PARK IN THE MUSEUM as you will get a warning or a ticket.
Trail entrance: Across the parking lot in the back RIGHT corner of the parking lot (if looking at the museum straight on). It is next to parking spot with the name B. Johnson.
Temperature at time of start: 75 F. Reached 89 F by 9:00 AM on the trail. Didn’t notice a drop in temperature change until got to the trail to begin summiting. At summit trail only needed a light jacket as there was BARELY any snow and ice. Temp was 55.
Markers you are looking for:
1. Picnic tables — 1 mile up
2. Rescue box 1 — on your left 2.2 miles
3. 4300 feet rock pebbles (on your left!) — 4.4 miles up
4. Rock with words spray painted Palm Springs 5 miles with an arrow — 6 miles 5. Rescue box 2 — 6.6 miles up
6. Flat Rock (like a TON of flat smooth rocks on your left) — 7.4 miles up
7. Coffman’s Crag (will be on your RIGHT, but go to your LEFT) — about 8.8 miles 8. Ranger station (straight ahead after you ascend like crazy and keep going STRAIGHT on flat surface to get to ranger station) — about 9.3 miles 9. Round Valley (you will see a marker directing to your left) — 11.4 miles
We stopped before the Wellman Divide, so I can’t give you markers of that.
Water: BRING at least THREE liters. I brought 3 750 mL and it was perfect. The other people I was with finished 3 L and that is with rationing.
Food: Before the hike: 2 hardboiled eggs, one multigrain waffle with peanut butter & strawberries, and an egg/​cheese sandwich.
During the hike: Ate one peanut butter sandwich, one avocado & veggie turkey sandwich, 2 tangerines, 2 Cliff bars, one protein/​granola bar, and 3 Cliff shots.
Clothes: Shorts and a Lululemon tank with a HAT. Shoewise I went with a good trail running shoes with good grip. You need GOOD shoes with GOOD support and GOOD grip. You could do this without hiking boots, but you need shoes that can help you climb and walk up the traverse when it goes 20 — 40% grade.
Supplies I used on the hike: head lamp, band aids and SUN SCREEN. You need sun screen! And a hat! There were very few spots of shades.
Supplies as a suggestion: Poop bags. Because some people actually do poop on the trail and leave it there and it’s disgusting. So please pack out everything. I never had to pee or poop on the trail because I was sweating it all, but the group of 6 I went with did so don’t throw it on the trail.
Trail visibility: A little tough at the beginning so look for WHITE PAINTED DOTS on rocks and FOLLOW THE DOTS. Also some great hikers have blocked trails with a line of straight rocks strategically placed. So FOLLOW the dots and if a trail has a nice long line of rocks blocking it, don’t cross it. We got a little loss after the Flat rocks and lost the trail because a tree was blocking the trail. Go to the LEFT of the fallen tree and climb over it. Follow the DIRT path. And the last mile is a series of switch backs so always aim UP and go into a zig zag pattern.
Taking the tram: When you finish and get to the top after Grubb’s notch you will walk a straight-​line path and there is a cement pathway on your RIGHT that takes you up to the tram. It is all uphill to the tram (which sucks after hiking all day the last thing you want to do is hike more uphill on a cement pathway). The cost for one way tram ticket is $ 12. Cash/​credit card accepted. Last tram runs at 8:45 PM.
After the tram: The bottom of the tram is NOT the same as the trailhead. You must either take a taxi (a guy outside will call a taxi for you as there is NO phone service to call a Lyft/​Über) back to the art museum. The cost of our taxi ride was $ 23.95 .
Alternatively you can ask someone if they can drop you off. Or you can take a shuttle that takes you down to the lower parking lot, walk along the cement pathway until you get service and then call a Über or Lyft. Or you can walk the 6.5 miles back to your car.
Hope this helps! If you have any questions please ask

Cactus to Clouds was quite possible the best hike I have ever done. It is difficult and rewarding so push yourself. You will see some of the most amazing views on this hike and without a doubt be happy you did this. I have read a bunch of reviews on mileage and distance. Here is the correct distance.
Cactus to Clouds total — 23 miles
Museum to Tram station — 11 miles
Ranger Station to Summit — 6 miles
Summit to Ranger Station 6 miles
Rangers station to Museum — 11 miles (I took the tram down and didn’t do C2C2C)
If you added this last leg you are a rockstar.
This is the best website and map I have found for this hike also.
I found this at Rescue Station 1 and wish I have found it the week before. Pictures and the Map gives you a very accurate distance and elevation gain for sections of the trail.
The trail is very nice and maintained enough for easy navigation. Pay attention to the white markers and blocked trails people have set up. Many times the trail split and all it took was a quick look at the ground to see rocks blocking the trail or wooden sticks. Majority of the time you have white dots. I would like to go back and spray them again but don’t want to get in trouble.
I brought way to much water after reading everyones reviews. I have a 3 liter camelbak and another 3 liters in nalgene bottles. (a lot of extra weight plus you can refill at the tram station.) The tram station people are great! Tom was such a great help. He stored our packs for a quick summit sprint and then called us a cab at the top of the tram and it was waiting for us at the bottom. Thank you!
I would bring trekking poles as they made the last mile up so much easier on your body. I rented mine from REI for about 9 dollars for 3 days. Totally worth it.
As for gear I would recommend packing light. So you can move fast. Good Hiking boots are a must and you will need a jacket at the top. The temp changed quite a bit on the hike and would recommend good layers.
If anyone rates this trail lower than 5 stars they are crazy. No offense.
Would not take kids or dogs on this at all.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have question about this trail. I said I would never do it again after I finished it but thinking about it now I want to do it again because I love the challenge.
Completed on 4÷9÷15

Palm spring museum trail. Come early because the desert heats up fast. Moderate intensity but didn’t make it to the top because of the heat. There’s white marks along the way so don’t lose track or else you take the steeper way up or down. Dog friendly. People friendly. Careful of loose rocks.

I hiked this back in 2012 and I can’t help but compare it’s view at the peak to every other peak I’ve been on. No other hike’s view at its peak has been able to compete with this view.
I did not do C2C but started after the tram. I hope I can go back and do it at some point. I already know that C2C is NO JOKE. The hike, even after starting at the tram is 12 miles (round trip) with an elevation gain of a lil over 2,300 ft (I think…). You also have to make sure you can catch the last tram down after your hike.
Be sure to bring a flashlight as it is DARK at night, enough water and proper attire (dress in layers); it is COLD at the peak. I’d also check with the rangers there (at the actual ranger station, not the people who sell you tickets at the tram station) to see if it’s safe to hike to the peak. They really are helpful and know what they are talking about.

Any Mountain that can get us to drive 110+ miles, spend $ 110 a night to stay in town, and to hike it each day we are there…(several times a year)…deserves 5 stars from me. Should I mention that except for heat and «no» water on the trail, conditions are ideal? (Yes, watch the weather, watch your water reserves.
I found a website that tracks the deaths on the mountain… pretty much most of them close to town, heat and dehydration… that makes it «hikers error»…
No toilet facilities at either trailhead – PALM SPRINGS! Did you ever notice that?
It would be nice to have «confidence markers» every mile and every 1,000 ft elevation gain, bet that would save a lot of lives.
We have not done the entire hike YET.

We saw a bunch of people walking this route so sort of randomly pulled over and started walking after going to the Art Museum and it was indeed an adventure, gorgeous views at the top as well. We had older folks (50+) and they handled it quite well. Expect to bundle up! It gets quite cold at the elevations.

Killer hike, killer fun. Timing can be tricky. Go too late in the season and you’ll have to deal with too much ice and snow up past the tram. Go too close to the hot summer months and you’ll need to carry an impossibly-​large quantity of water and move very slowly to deal with the heat. My recommendation is to aim for late October or early November. June works too, but there may still be a good amount of snow up top.
Definitely one of the tougher hikes I’ve taken on.

This a very dangerous hike, which kills unprepared hikers every year. If you are not used to hiking 20+ miles a day, are not used to hiking over 8000′, are not used to carrying 5+ liters of water, and are not able to get on the trail by 2 AM, don’t try this hike.
The window in which one can do it is short — May and June before it gets really hot in PS, and November — Dec after it cools down and before there is snow on San J. The danger here is that you can’t turn around. Once you are five miles into the hike, if you descend you can be facing 110+ degree temps in Palm Springs, without any water on the trail.
Unilocal removed my review linking to some of the reports about deaths.

I had just completed the hike yesterday! If you start from the tram like I did, It is a 12 mile hike roundtrip with an escalating elevation that reaches 10,834 ft. Although palm springs was about 100 degrees F, the trail was about 15 – 20 degrees cooler and windy. The view is breathtaking and worth the strenuous, rocky, and steep trail! Be sure your in good condition, bring a little emergency kit, sun screen, snacks, plenty of water, and a trash bag to avoid contact with the wild animals. If your going in the afternoon you should pack a flashlight too. Good luck!

This is an awesome and intense hike, but no joke by any means.
4 days prior to C2C I did Mt. Baldy for the first time. That was a pretty steep hike, and it’s basically half of this beast. I’ve heard some argue Baldy is tougher, but I would disagree with that.
After doing this for the first time, a few things I learned:
–Water: I brought 170oz (note 3L = 100oz) and although I did not run out of water, it was not enough: I was using it very sparingly throughout the hike. I refilled my 3L Camelbak at the second rescue station (roughly 5200 feet). So in total I had one 3L Camelbak filled to start, one 1.5L water bottle, and one regular sized water bottle. This hike was done May 3^rd, 2014. Given the high of the day was roughly 97 °F, it’s very important to get to the second rescue station fairly quickly. I can’t imagine doing this hike in the summer months and you would definitely need more water.
–Food: Food is very important on this hike. You’re getting your ass kicked and you need energy! I brought one turkey sandwich, 2 CLIF bars, 4 tangerines, 2 apples, some of that CLIF energy gum, and I was good. Note that the apples and tangerines were great for staying hydrated: this came into play when I was using my water sparingly.
–A good daypack: you can get a real nice one at Sports Chalet for 30bucks.
–A good/​powerful headlight. See REI for $ 20 – 30 $.
–An early start. Talked to some dudes on the tram-​ride down today and they said they started at 9am: this seems way too late to me. We started at 3am and got to the top by 11am: granted some of our friends were slacking bigtime and we probably waited 1hr-1.5hrs total.
–One thing I forgot: a good hat. My friend let me borrow his at times and it was a huge help. There are some parts of the hike where there is very little shade. And in addition to that, make sure when you’re taking water/​food breaks you’re in the shade. I suppose that goes without saying but the sun really drains you.
Please note this review is only in regards from the BASE (we started at Ramon Road) to the TRAM. We spent the night in Round Valley, then hit the peak Sunday morning). Our friend’s dad met us at the tram with our backpacks: I know some people do the C2C hike WITH backpacks (not daypacks) but that seems absolutely insane to me.
10/​10, would do again. Do not short on water. I think 5−6Liters is best (for this time of year).

I’m still aching from my hike this past Saturday to San Jacinto peak! For not having worked out for years I happily decided to try San Jacinto peak with travel buddy friends. My only regret is that I didn’t workout to get into shape for such a strenuous hike, but then again I wasn’t invited to join until a couple days prior so working out wouldn’t have helped a great deal.
My group initiated our hike from the Skyline Tram (the easier hike), paying about $ 23 for a roundtrip ride going up to hike and coming down after the hike. Once arriving to Long Valley, register for free at the Ranger Station for your own safety to hike the peak.
I carried a 2 liter bladder and was able to ration it throughout my 11 mile round trip. The initial time of hike from ranger station was about 11am. End of hike was at about 6pm, which includes a one hour stay at the top of the 10,834 ft peak sun bathing. Snacks are a must have as well! I believe getting to the top was more enjoyable them coming down. The last 3 mile stretch coming down was almost torture on my thighs and lower hips. Mentally I started to think I couldn’t make it but seeing passers by and motivational friends helped very much with the psyche.
Upon arriving to the ranger station to turn in our permits you think you’re done but you’re not! You still have to climb the freakin’ zig-​zag concrete inclined path to the Skyline Tram. I never cursed more on the trail than I did on the concrete path but I finished and I had mixed emotions at the time ! I was in pain mostly in my feet and thighs. I do not regret having hiked the peak but I’ll better prep myself for such an adventure the next time I do it if ever!

I trained on Baldy for a few months before doing C2C and am very glad I did! The 19-​mile trek from the bottom wasn’t too bad, but really really long. We started at Ramon instead of the museum and it’s easy to get lost if you’re not paying attention (start on the LEFT!). The rescue boxes along the way remind you that you need to take this seriously. We started at 3:30am and got to the tram at 10am. I brought 3 liters of water plus another liter of gatoraide and I ended up drinking almost all of it by the time we got to the tram. There’s a water spigot on the back porch of the ranger station where it’s super quick to refill.
Pics from the trek:
WARNING: Be very, very aware of your surroundings, your pace, your water, and your general conditioning. I can see how people can quickly get in trouble on this hike.