Hi everyone! For a variety of reasons, I’ll be starting the trail earlier than most, in late March/early April. I have yet to talk to anyone who isn’t waiting until the very end of April to start.
Any other early starters? I think it would be nice to share tips/plans/etc, maybe even walk together the first day. Thanks! 
Rhys
I’m not sure that’s an early start anymore. I started on March 5 in '05, and some started January 1st. They had to hole up quite a bit in order to ride out some storms, but some started very early. Eith anearly March beginning I still experienced quite a bit of winter in the areas of Clingmans Dome (ice storm) and Max Patch (getting blown off the mountain during a white out), but all in all it was a good beginning.
Nimblefoot
Since next year is going to be another El Nino year, an early start means you’ll likely be dealing with snow the entire trip. Bring your ice axe from the beginning, as there will be snow in the southern mountains.
Ginny
Thanks for the advice everyone! Wow, Nimblefoot, I had no idea people started that early…maybe I’ll move my trip up. Are you hiking this year?
Rhys
Nimblefoot was out to lunch and in a completely different planet/trail forum, the AT.
Rambler
Ambler Rambler
Early April is a great time to start…you can take your time to get your trail legs under you; you won’t have to compete with the Kickoff crowds for campsites; there will likely be more water available; you should be through the hottest/driest sections before it gets unbearable…and there will still be other hikers out there for company. Happy trails!
Smack
I started my 05 PCT hike on April 8th. I would love to be hiking this year but am stashing cash 8-5 style instead. :bawling
Enjoy your time on my favorite hiking trail!
Smack
Out to lunch? How dare you? I was out to lunch, breakfast and dinner! Right now I’m headed for a snack.
Nimblefoot
Have fun playing in the snow in the mountains, for there will be snow in the San Jacintos, San Bernadinos, and San Gabiels. You’ll need to take a lot of days off and hike very, very slowly as well if you want to avoid very bad conditions in the Sierra, or be committed to changing from thruhiker gear to more serious stuff and enter early. Of course, it might be a non-existent snow year. But, it might not. So, spend some time this winter working on snow technique and learning how to survive and thrive in the white stuff.
Suge
You should let the weather have some say in when you start. The snow pack in the Sierras should dictate when you hit them…too early and you lose lots of time…just keep an eye on the snow pack. Monitor the snow at Mammoth Ski resort…if they have 50 feet packed in March, maybe you should start in April(as in 2006)…remember you are a child of the earth when hiking the trail and you should look at when the time is right for the trail and not just when the time is right for you.
Did
We started a couple of days after Smack in 05 (high snow year, particularly in southern/central california). If you’re prepared to deal with some snow (or walk round the worst bits) then its no problem. Fuller ridge had c. 12 miles of snow, the san bernadinos reportedly had a record amount but nobody really struggled, and the san gabriels had a lot but only for 10 miles, and most people took a clear, simple, scenic detour. We took our time, got to Kennedy Meadows 30th May, and hit the Sierra on 1st June. The conditions were challenging, but not as bad as much of the hype. That was a recurrent theme about most trail conditions.
For an idea of what you’re getting into, our photos are at:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davidtoms
and for comparisons between the sierra in and out of snow:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davidtoms/Comparisons (most photos taken at same point in June 05 vs Sept 06).
Gearlist is here:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davidtoms/Files/Gearweights.htm we only added ice axe, crampons & bear canister for the sierra, but carried on in trail runners.
I wouldn’t swap the experience we had for the world. It was amazing, wild and beautiful. Then again, seeing only 2 people on trail for 23 days might not be your idea of fun!
Have a great hike. Its an amazing trail, and I much preferred the sierra buried in snowpack vs late summer.
dave
Thanks, Dave! I can’t wait to check out your site. I’ll be leaving around the 2nd week of March so I’m very glad to see other pro-earlystarters.
Rhys
The last 3 groups that came through Steven’s Pass after mid-October failed to make the border. Too much snow and frozen water supplies. 2007 will be harder due to all the major flood damage we have just had. This flooding was a lot worse than '04. Your last days on the trail will be a lot easier if you are through this area by the beginning of October. The river crossings that were workable on '06 probably won’t be there in '07.
Andrea Dinsmore