anyone hiked the alternative PCT route thru the mojave? if so how long did it take to get from lake hughes to mojave (in miles and days?) is this a realistic alternative to the standard PCT?
cheeserTOM
Mojave shortcut -anyone?
system
#2
In 1985 the walk across Antelope Valley from Lake Hughes and then along the Aqueduct road to a side rd that cut off into Mojave took 2 days and involved (for me, at that time) 107* heat in the shade. I hate to ever use the word, “boring,” about anything outdoors, but this was stultifying, monotonous, oh-so-dry, and (it hurts to say it) boring.
In 2005 I walked the newer PCT which is longer, infinitely nicer, more varied, with water, and at times (I thought) beautiful.
These days I would walk the “shortcut” only in an emergency and if I just HAD to get out to Mojave in a hurry.
There were nice aspects to the Tehachapis. I understand efforts are underway to expand the PCT route before long westward even more into the Tehachapis and the jealously-guarded Tejon Ranch holdings. Hope to walk that when it happens.
But, to each his/her own. Your mileage may (and will) vary… Have fun.
Dr Bob
system
#3
Hey Tom:
I used the alternate route in 2004. The hike to Lake Hughes was nice and pretty much like the PCT, although a little route finding was necessary as the trails aren’t marked. We took one of the hiking trails/old roads east of Elizabeth Lake Road into town.
Stopping by the Rock Inn in Lake Hughes was very cool. Its an old stage coach stop that been converted to a restaurant/bar/hotel. I got a room there for the night and it was one of my favorite town stops. I stopped by the small market and signed the trail register. Most of the entries were old and dated back to the 70’s when this was the primary route.
Once you get to 179th Street West, it pretty much road walking for 14 miles. I did get water from the aquaduct. At a bridge, I had to lower a bottle into the water with rope in order to reach the water. This alternative meets up with the PCT at the Cottonwood Creek Bridge.
There were some other thru-hikers in Lake Hughes while I was there, but I didn’t see anyone but some farm workers once I left Lake Hughes. I only saw two cars over the two days.
I vaguely remember hearing something about the gates at Fairmont Resevoir being locked after 9/11 and the increase in homeland security. You could get around it easy enough.
Lucky
Lucky
system
#5
From what I heard from people that did it this year, it involved jumping and crossing lots of fences. No one that did it thought it was a geat idea.
hah
system
#6
I did it in April of 2003. Enjoyed my stay at Harleys Rock Inn (live rock band on Sunday afternoons)and morning coffee with “The Geezers” who assured me that the no trespassing signs up on Lakeview Ridge are aimed towards the motorbikers and arranged for me and my friends to get water at the Healey Ranch (corner of Rt 138 and 170th st.) Fortunately, no one challenged us as we crossed all those fences. I don’t know how the landowners would take "but the geezers said we could!"
The view of Antelope Valley from the top of the ridge was one of the most spectacular sights in my life. Miles and miles of desert glowed orange from the poppies. While the best flowers for us were at the Poppy Preserve near Rt 138, we had a desert gold carpet interspersed with other blooms all the way into Mojave.
Note that we hit the poppy preserve on April 7th. I dont know that it would be my choice much later in the spring.
Splat!
system
#7
We hiked along 179th Street West in 2005. The Rock Inn is a great start and we got treated real well there.
We walked most of the road at night in a very pleasant breeze; it was a real nice way of covering miles and not worrying about any trip hazards. I enjoyed it. At the highway we hitched into Gil’s to get water (and take a side trip to the ocean, but that’s another story). The traffic is fast and the feel is definitely on the scarier side of PCT hitching.
The biggest issue is a brand-new fence encircling the reservoir a large distance away from it. It is a beast, with real-deal barbed wire and reinforced bottom. I can’t imagine anyone jumping it. The only reason we made it is we followed it on the West side until we came upon an empty house (a spooky and remote one at that). A recent flood had washed out the access road to the home so they bulldozed the fence and made a new “driveway” through LADWP property to their home. We went through this hole and then were able to squeeze under the locked gates (barely) on the other side. The fence on the maps immediately around the reservior is never an issue.
I would scout the situation before attempting or be prepared for an adventure. Walking around the entire new fence looked to me like it went through some nasty chaparral.
There are all kinds of warnings just as you leave Lake Hughes about private property, but some locals told us they are much more bark than bite.
Hans Berg