14 min
Overview
What if you could enjoy both the cactus-laden desert of the Coachella Valley and the cool alpine slopes of Mount San Jacinto all in one hike? Well, you can. Whether or not you actually enjoy the 10,000 foot climb to the clouds is up to you. The Cactus to Clouds hike, also sometimes known as simply “C2C,” traverses the Skyline Trail to the summit of San Jacinto. Prepare for a full day adventure requiring planning, timing and a whole lot of water. The first thing to consider is the time of year you choose to hike. Spring or fall are generally the best seasons when temperatures are not too hot or too cold. Most people will start the hike early in the morning, around midnight, to avoid the heat. However, despite the cover of night, Palm Springs has high temperatures most of the year. In April, when this guide was written, the temperature was 75 degrees at midnight. This hike should not be done during the summer due to extreme temperatures. During the winter, the slopes of San Jacinto are covered in snow and proper equipment would be required to hike safely (ice axe, crampons, etc.). Even in the spring and fall, wind or thunderstorms could be an issue. Therefore, always check ahead of time with the ranger station or mountain forecast sites for current conditions. With the wide range of temperatures, packing the appropriate clothes and amount of water is necessary. I packed about 4-5 liters of water which I finished completely by the time we got back to the tram. There is also water available at Round Valley, but it needs to be filtered. The other major consideration is parking and use of the tram. The hike begins at the Skyline Trailhead near the Palm Springs Art Museum. There is plenty of street parking near the museum, but do not park in their lots. At the end of the day, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the best way to get back down the mountain. The tram station on the mountain is conveniently located near the Ranger Station at Long Valley. The other option down the mountain is C2C2C (Cactus to Clouds to Cactu
Trail Stats
32.4 km
3169 m
3288 m
134 m
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