I just finished my Walker pass to Lake tahoe hike and i plan to do the desert section only, Campo to Walker pass, next march.
Here are my questions:
What is the best time (cooler) of the year to do the desert?
Are the water caches already stocked that early?
Is there a season when there is enough natural water on the trail, so i don’t need caches?
thanks
french bob
You don’t need the water caches, even in April, unless it is a severe drought year. Many have hiked without using them. The water caches aren’t stocked until the end of April. Even then, there is the possibility that they may be empty when you arrive, so never count on them as your sole source of water.
The problem with starting so early is that the PCT goes over several high mountain ranges that still have significant snow in March. Some areas (ie. Mt. Baden Powell, San Gorgonios, etc.) still have snow in May. Northbound from Campo you will run into your first snow on your second or third day. (See the McVeighs’ video). Especially in an El Nino year, that can make travel and navigation difficult.
Starting at the end of April really is the best time to do the desert. You get wildflowers, which provide interest when the trail winds endlessly through the chapparal; there is water in the springs; and, while it is hot, sometimes very hot, there will be breaks in the weather that make it bearable, both because of fronts coming through and because you are climbing up into the high country on a weekly basis.
Spirit Walker