I completed my first C2C yesterday and have the bleeding to prove it
I started at 4:55. For some reason I got lost several times (even with a headlamp) and had to retrace my steps prior to reaching the picnic tables. People began flying by about an hour in, which was a little demoralizing.
I took a short cut and ended up above a hiker who had passed me at Shade Rock. He later told me he thought he was hallucinating and was ready to turn in his AARP card
Unfortunately, my trail orientation ineptitude continued. I led us the wrong way until Z-dude flew by us going uphill. Z laughed and said I was doing this the hard way. Am I missing something or is there an easy way to do Skyline 
Fortunately, the other hiker did not take offense and went on ahead at the 4400 ft level.
Thanks for your kind words Kathy -- it was great to meet you!
At about 5,000 ft, I was paased by a very fast woman (Jean?) The last section before Flat Rock seemed to take forever -- I always struggle at this point and feel like my head is going to pop off due to the lack of air flow. Andy passed me here and provided encouraging words.
I started to feel better once I was past Flat Rock and heading up through the manzanita. Even better -- no rattlers
Two more men passed me. One used two huge wooden staffs in place of hiking poles. This lead me to ponder: 1) how much faster could he travel with light poles? and 2) was he planning to duel Robin Hood with a staff over a mountain creek?
Reaching the pine trees and cooler air is always wonderful. I was in the rocks near Coffman's crag when I lost the trail -- again
As I made my way up through the rocks, I lost my foot- and hand-holds and slid down a large rock with a particularly rough surface. The result -- areas of skin on left shin, left forearm, and right thigh were peeled off. I now have empathy for potatoes and carrots.
Crawling over the notch and into the brisk, pine-scented air of Long Valley was particularly heavenly. I resolved to head directly to the ranger station for my summit permit and didn't glance at the tram walkway or listen to the draft beer calling my name.
I haven't been on this trail since 2003 and enjoyed the novelty of the hike up to Round Valley. I also discovered how many good Samaritans are on the trail. I lost track of how many people asked whether I was OK and needed bandages, etc. As I grew more fatigued, I wished that I wasn't bloody so I wouldn't have to respond.
The view from Wellman's divide looking towards Idylwild was exquisite -- clouds and mist interspersed with blue sky and green mountains. After Wellman's divide, I really started to struggle. I don't remember having to lift myself up over so many rocks on this trail on previous hikes. I passed several rangers who kindly inquired about my wounds. I said one word -- "Skyline" -- and they nodded knowingly.
The final one-third of a mile to the summit of San Jacinto felt like the last climb from the ridge trail up to the summit of Whitney. I was happy to not add to the bleeding as I crawled up over the rocks to touch the summit sign. It was a lively group -- some people were celebrating Cinco de Mayo (no beer, darn it!) with chips and salsa.
While sprawled on the summit, I met three hikers from San Diego who were also doing C2C. One (Steve) had done it over 150 times (good grief!) and another was the fellow I had mislead above Shade rock. All three congratulated me warmly. Steve said the blood was a testiment to the difficulty of C2C and several people took pictures of my bloody body next to the summit sign.
Steve was a saint and slowed his pace to hike back to the tram with me. He was terrific company and distracted me with great stories. His chivalry also helped me make a safe descent. Dick from Santa Monica joined us on the descent. We walked up the final climb to the tram just past 4 PM (I was so tired that I used my poles), met up with Steve's two friends, and I finally had my celebratory beer. Dick kindly shuttled us back to our cars at the museum. I think I almost have him convinced to take Skyline to the tram -- I told him about Cy and this forum.
Thanks again to Perry for this forum and to my fellow outdoors people.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
