Flip-flop - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

Any PCT’ers out there that have flip-flopped? I’m curious if it is possible to do a 6-7 month thruhike if one were to start in mid april and flip-flop somewhere up north. I’d also like to know other reasons people would flip-flop on the PCT

curious

#2

The main reason i’ve heard was snow. Sometimes the Sierra snowpack scares hikers off, so they jump north then come back later to hike the high country when the snow is gone.

ginny

#3

Keep in mind that the snow doesn’t leave the high country of Washington until mid July of some years. Even in a record low snow year like 2005 there was still plenty of snow above 4500 feet in early June. The snow is serious, not like snow out East. Unless you have some sort of mountaineering background, it would be better not to flip here until mid July. So, more likely a flip-flop would be more like just skipping the Sierra.

Suge

#4

Here is what the famed Billy Goat normally does: Leave Campo around Kickoff, making it to Trail Pass/Cottonwood Pass around 6/15 (mile 750). So you’re in the pack thru the desert, but don’t have to stress as much over when you arrive at KM. At this point I guess he drives up to around Belden, continuing on north to Canada. This puts you in Washington in august, not september, which he says is the best time (less rain, no snow). Then he goes back doing the Sierra section remaining (540 miles) going thru there in september, when the snow is less and the people few.

A-Train

#5

Jumping up from KM to Belden sounds reasonable enough. I guess my next question would be how late is too late to be in the Sierras?

curious

#6

Mammoth Mtn at mile 902 in the Data Book just reported 6-10 inches of snow at the ski area on Saturday, and had a dusting at the end of Sept. OCtober is usually beautiful dry and sunny in the Sierra, with a few erratic storms possible. However it could dump four feet after days of blue bird skys with no notice at all, just depends what the ocean wants to spit out. Last year nothing significant occured till December. It was the lowest winter on record though. THe year before was the wettest on record, and I remember no snow till after Thankgsgiving. Check out the www.Mammothmountain.com for snow history, You can go back in years I think. Also check the websites for various Tahoe resorts ski areas like Kirkwood, Sqauw and Heavenly (all around mile 1100 i think) as well to get an idea when it snows. Ski areas are pretty anal about measureing this white stuff, so it would be better to make your decision on that advice. Plus it usually snows more by them too, thats why their located where they are.:wink:

Guino

#7

Remember that Belden, like most of the towns in central-northern CA, is in the middle of nowhere and will be hard to reach without a lot of hitches or local contacts. Dunsmuir/Castella (much further north) is a bit easier to get to as it is right on I-5. Also, remember that Kennedy Meadows is at the end of a long dirt road and hitching may take a long, long time. You may end up walking down to the desert, but once in Ridgecrest transit is pretty simple.

You may consider not flipping and just watching the seasons change. The Sierras in June can be really stunning, with full mantle of snow and challenging hiking. It would be logistically much easier to continue into the Sierra and exit at Mammoth (shuttle bus ride down into town, then public transit) or Tuolumne (easy hitch down to Lee Vining, then public transit). You get the really spectacular Sierra and have easier transit options. Plus, it will be later, so getting up to Dunsmuir and heading north from there will be a bit easier.

Suge

#8

I’d exit at either Trail Pass (one hour to Horseshoe Meadow)or Cottonwood Pass (1 1/2 hrs to HS), not KM. Very easy to get a ride from Horseshow to Lone Pine in June.

KM is probably close to 50 miles from Ridgecrest.

booger

#9

…didn’t happen as he originally planned. But his plan was to do the south as discribed, then he and Cap’t America would drive to Old Station and leave B.G.'s car at the Heitman’s Hideaway, where he knew it would be safe.
Billy Goat’s original plan was to hike north to Canada, get back here and (depending on circumstances, weather, timing, etc.) either continue hiking south, or to drive south and then hike back to Old Station.
We’ve had two cars here most of the summer, with room for maybe two more. That still leaves space for traveling supporters driving BIG trucks pulling mega trailers(ask Hot Chocolate) to navigate themselves into a place to spend a night or a few while waiting for their hiker to arrive.
Belden does seem like a weird place to try to safely park a car for any length of time…especially since Little Haven is really only open for about two months. Maybe at Caribou Crossing???

Georgi Heitman

#10

thank you all so much. i’m not sure if i’ll flip or not. Of course a lot of that will depend on the kind of snowfall they get in the high sierras this winter. two of the main reasons i was curious about flippin were that i enjoy hiking slow(er) and i like to fish when on the trail. i was hoping to do both and all of the information you have provided may prove usefull. cheers

curious