[pct-l] Cactus to Clouds

[Brian Peterson]

I hiked the Cactus to Clouds hike in October 2008 as a prep hike for the
PCT. The route was not difficult to find, but definitely challenging
especially as you get close to Long Valley. I backpacked up to the top and
then went down a few miles to the other side of the mountain to Little Round
Valley and camped there. I wanted to make a weekend of my ascent and hiked
around the San Jacinto area the next day and then camped again up there. I
packed 4 liters of water for my ascent and my pack weighed about 30 pounds.
Before I started hiking I sat in my parked car and guzzled two liters of
water and didn't even take another sip of water until I was about half way
up. If I did it again I would guzzle two liters of water in my car again,
but then only carry 2 liters of water on the hike. I started my hike at 3am
and October is usually the prime time to do the Cactus to Clouds hike. I
think after doing the PCT you should be easily strong enough to do the hike.
Also it is very easy to catch a cab at the tram parking lot to take you to
your car after you have completed the hike. I agree with Miner use the link
he provided, ask your questions to that forum, they are great and will have
all the info you need on the Cactus to Clouds. Parking your car at the
bottom of Cactus to Clouds is easy too, there is some free parking on the
street, and you can even get there early the night before and crash out in
your car to get some rest before the big hike. The San Jacinto chat forum is
great, and I was able to find a partner on it to do the hike with me, but
beware that there has been some incidents of car break-ins of cactus to
clouds hikers, there may be some people reading that forum and looking for
peoples trip plans. Hope this helps!

-Brian "Stinky Butt" Peterson

On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 1:32 AM, Paul A <alphabetsoupmmm at gmail.com> wrote:

> Has anyone in this community ever hiked the Cactus to Clouds Trail up the
> east face of Mt San Jacinto? I am thinking about attempting it after the
> PCT
> next year. Would love to hear about the experience.
>
> paul
>
> --
> The truly simple life exists within the zippers of my backpack, powered by
> my own legs, burning only natural fuel, leaving no trace that I was ever
> there.
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