Getting to Southern Terminus and Back Home, From Iowa

imported
#1

I have been trying, without much success, to find out how I can possibly get to the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail, from Iowa. I am willing to drive, if it is the only option, but I will need a way to get back to my vehicle (and a place to put it for a couple weeks).

I want to spend a couple weeks hiking over semester break, most likely December 27th to January 11th, but I need to be able to get to the PCT…somehow. I plan on carrying all my food with me.

The only option that I can think of is to bring my mountain bike with me, drop it off somewhere down the trail, and once I hike my way to it, ride it on the trail back to my vehicle. I also could hike down the trail, and hike back, but I would like to cover as much distance as possible in the two week period.

I would like to know if there is any way I can (cheaply) hike North Bound from the southern terminus, then get a bus ride back to my vehicle. Or even skip driving down all together, and find a bus/other service that can get me to the southern terminus, and once I reach my end point after two weeks, take me back to Iowa.

The Polyphasic Backpacker

#2

I found out that greyhound would work, from Minneapolis, MN to San Diego, CA. From there I have heard there is a service from San Diego to Campo, CA. However, the round trip fare, just for greyhound, is $321 at the least. I could drive down there for $100-$150 in gas money.

If I do end up driving, where do I put my vehicle, and what is the best way to get back to it?

The Polyphasic Backpacker

#3

Sorry to burst your bubble, but Iowans aren’t allowed to hike the PCT. You need to stay at home, tend the cattle, start researching seed corn varities for next years crop.
Just kidding. (I’m originally from Tipton.)

Campo is pretty easy to get to from San Diego via local bus service. The benefit of taking public transportation down there (beyond environmental reasoning) is not having to worry about finding a place to leave your car, and not having to worry about it while you should be enjoying your hike. A simple option logistically would be, as you mentioned, a short yo-yo hike, where you go north for about a week then turn back and return to Campo or another point intersecting the regional bus line. However, I can definitely understand your desire to cover new ground through the duration of your trip.

If you choose to drive yourself, you might try posting on pct-l. There are many friends of the PCT in the San Diego area, and someone may volunteer to let you leave your vehicle at their home while you hike. You’d just have to figure out a way to get back to it when finished, and someone in the San Diego area would be better able to offer suggestions there as well.

Another thing you might try is contacting Chris at Silver Pines Lodge in Idyllwild. (Search Silver Pines Lodge for a website.) I’m not sure of your intended pace, but this is a little under 200 trail miles from Campo. She is a wonderful woman, very accomodating and hiker friendly. My hiking partners and I had a great experience staying with her in 2007. If you planned on patronizing her lodge she might be willing to let you park there for a couple of weeks. (Of course I can’t speak for her, but worth asking.) You could drive down there, park, and find your way to Campo, then hike back to your car.

I would urge you to be aware and prepared for extreme weather conditions this time of year. Don’t let the word “desert” fool you. Those mountain ranges can get some pretty nasty storms in the winter, especially around Mt. San Jacinto (near Idyllwild.)

Just a couple of ideas. I hope it all works out for you and you have a great hike. It’s always good to hear of fellow Iowans getting out to hit the trail. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions I might be able to help with… and GO HAWKS!

Gesh

#4

One more thing, before someone else jumps you on it. I just re-read your post and caught your mountain bike idea. This won’t work, because bikes are not allowed on the PCT.

Gesh

#5

There are several trail angels in San Diego that could help you get to the trail and also help you find a place to park your car. A post on the PCT-L would help you find them.

The weather being what it is in early January, I doubt you will be able to hike beyond Palms to Pines Highway. The Idyllwild Inn is also very hiker friendly. They may be able to help you figure out logistics to get back to San Diego.

Another possibility would be to take public transportation to San Diego. Have a trail angel pick you up, and drop you off at the southern terminus. Finish at Palms to Pines. Hitch to Palm Springs and arrange for public transportation home.

And have a plan B in place in case Gesh is right about the weather. You will want to know where your bail out points are.

As for food, check ahead and see if it is possible to purchase food for resupply at Lake Moreno (not at the state park, but in town), Mount Laguna at the lodge and Warner Springs at the mini mart.

Scott Bryce

#6

quote;Iowa to PCT…
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Iowans aren’t allowed to hike the PCT. You need to stay at home, tend the cattle, start researching seed corn varities for next years crop. Just kidding. ;quote
an iowan once told me that iowa stands for, idiots out walkin’ around :lol

neighbor

#7

I’ve heard that one many times, only it’s usually “wandering” rather than “walking.” Oh well, we get by!

Gesh

#8

I’ll second that on the food resupply. I’m not sure how well stocked the stores will be this time of year, but certainly something to consider. You could also send yourself a maildrop to Warner Springs, effectively cutting your food weight in half. Put the extra pack space toward some additional cold weather gear.

I’d also had in the back of my mind that Pines-to-Palms Highway (Hwy. 74) might be a wise exit point. It’s about 150 miles from Campo. The trail climbs pretty high north of here and the terrain is more rugged (though beautiful!)You might play it by ear. Idyllwild is easy to get to from this road, but if the weather and your schedule allows you might climb on two more days to Saddle Junction and drop down to Idyllwild via Devils Slide Trail.

Regardless, don’t miss the Jose Burger at Paradise Cafe! Just a mile west of where the PCT crosses Pines-to-Palms, a must stop for hungry hikers.

Gesh

#9

You better tell One Gallon. He seems to go back to the PCT year after year!

raru

#10

If you’re willing to fly out of Omaha, it’s about 100 bucks each way (now, plus baggage fees). Fly into San Diego, see if someone can help you (public transportation goes to the airport, but get there early), then fly out of Long Beach. I think that’s the cheap LA airport. For the couple days you’ll spend driving each way, it might be worth doing that. Though, I’ll agree, gasoline is probably the cheapest way. From Albuquerque just recently, it cost about 110 bucks in gas to get back to Des Moines.

wing it

#11

Well, after I figured out how it was going to work, it turns out that its cheapest to drive out to Idyllwild, leave my vehicle there, get a ride to San Diego (either hitch, or from a trail angel). Once in San Diego, there is a bus route that could take me to Campo for $10.

Flying would be nice, I may just have to consider it…

Thanks for all your help, its a good thing Iowans aren’t banned from the PCT, otherwise, I might have sink to a lower level and claim I am a Nebraskan or maybe even a Minnesotan just to be able to set foot on the trail.

Also, thanks for letting me know that bikes were not allowed on the trail, I swear that somewhere I heard otherwise.

The Polyphasic Backpacker

#12

Yeah, it’s probably best to leave your car in Idyllwild or even on the Pines to Palms highway trailhead because parking in Campo is a little iffy at best. We were able to leave a car near the Border Patrol station, but not too near. Everything else nearby was private and there were lots of scary looking people looking for illegal aliens to harass so it was not a place you’d want to leave a nice car for long.

Piper

#13

  1. There are trail angels in San Diego who can help you get to the southern terminus. (Barney and Sandy Mann–Scout and Frodo 2007, Girlscout, there is another whose name I can’t remember.)

  2. Given the recent weather in southern California, you will want to have a plan in place in case you need to bail out early.

If it wasn’t for the snow, I think your plan is good.

Information in the water report is old. I would not rely on caches this time of year, especially the third gate cache. Recent precip in southern California may or may not be enough to get streams flowing again.

If you are considering sending yourself a resupply at Warner Springs, contact the general store at Mount Laguna and see if they will hold a package for you as well. There is a PO at Mount Laguna, but given your schedule, you don’t want to be stuck in Mount Laguna if your arrival does not coincide with the POs hours.

Scott Bryce

#14

Snow was down to 1500 feet the other day near my house. There’s a little snow on the 4000 ft peaks near my house. I hear that tons of snow has fallen in the Idyllwild area and that Palms to Pines Highway is closed. Be sure to check the conditions before you go. You don’t want to rely on a transportation option if the roads you need are closed.

Piper