Best 5-week stretch May/June

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#1

Hi all,

a girlfriend and I plan to hike 5 weeks of the PCT this spring. Our start date will be May 9, give or take a day.

I know that’s a bit late to start from Campo but from what I’ve read in other posts it’s not too late. However, it looks like we’ll definitely hit some toasty weather.

Since we’re not thru-hiking, we could potentially choose any 5-week stretch we wanted. Does anyone have any suggestions for alternate stretches (i.e., not starting at Campo) that would avoid both the heat and the snow, or is Campo really the best jumping off point?

BTW, she’s fit, I’m fit…I’m guessing 5 weeks ~= upwards of 550 miles, with a couple of zeros and half days.

Thanks much,

JW

Jaywalker

#2

If it were me, i’d do one of 2 things:

  1. Start at Pines to Palms highway, at mile 150, or Warner Springs mile 109. If you’re not thru hiking, you might as well skip the San Felipe hills and start out with prettier terrain a little north of the border.

  2. Be adventurous. Do NoCal-Southern Oregon. You’ll hit some snow patches, but not too many, if any, people do this section then, but most of it is low enough to not be snowbound. If you do hit snow you don’t like, there are escape and alternate routes.

isolationism