Oregon resupply

imported
#1

What are the current popular resupply points for the Oregon section of the PCT? I’m going to hike this stretch next summer and am starting my planning. I both mail packages and buy local whichever works best. TIA

bowlegs

#2

i did it this way:

Ashland-Mazama Village/Crater Lake-Shelter Cove-Sisters-Timberline Lodge-Cascade Locks

You can also resupply at places like Hyatt Lake, Fish Lake and Elk Lake. Lots of options really.

While I’m not generally an advocate of maildrops, they seem to make sense for Oregon if you are from not near there (send from Ashland)

A-Train

#3

I’ll echo A-Train’s comments with a couple of caveats:

  • Elk lake was (IMO) way over priced. Carry a smidge extra from Shelter Cove and skip Elk Lake. Prices for food were higher than at VVR and it’s not all that far from Bend.

  • Hyatt Lake. Make this your destination the first night out of Ashland. A very nice campground. The store really is the smallest on the PCT (at least it was in '06). But, it was surprisingly well stocked (but still quite limited) for being the about the size of a drive up espresso stand. A brew with dinner…mmmmmmmm.

  • There is also Big Lake Youth Camp for those that don’t want to go into Sisters / Bend.

  • Recall that Ollalie Lake is now closed. Plan to carry supplies from Sisters / Bend / BLYC through to Timerline.

About the only full option re-supplies in Oregon are Sisters / Bend and Ashland. Others are limited to very limited supplies. Mail drops are probably best for most folks at these locations.

One other option for Oregon - In lieu of Shelter Cove resort, when you get to Hwy 58, hitch west to the town of Oakridge. It’s slightly on the dumpy side, but it’s full service with a real market, nice hotel on the west edge of town, several restaraunts, a nice coffee shop or two, I think camping, and the like. It’s also a MTB mecca, so there’s lots of outdoors types in the area, which should help with hitching back up to the pass.

Token Civilian

#4

Agree with TC, Elk Lake and Shelter Cove are big time rip offs. Elk Lake is really not worth a stop at all unless you are on the verge of hypothermia like we were. Unfriendly owner and high prices.

Shelter Cove is a fine place to send a box, but their food and resupply was some of the most offensively priced on the the whole PCT. 7.50 for an 8 oz block of cheese and 3 bucks for a 20 oz gatorade was blatant price gouging. You’re better off picking up your box and walking the 3 miles to the ski lift food court at rt 58 which has pizza, burgers, beer, etc.

A-Train

#5

I would agree with A-Train and TC, but, I would definitely encourage you to make the stop at Big Lake Youth Camp rather than going into Sisters off-trail. They accept packages and provide free showers and cheap laundry and for a small fee you can eat lunch and dinner in their camp cafeteria. Very friendly folks.

Another option when you reach Highway 58 just after Shelter Cove, you can walk about a quarter mile up to the ski resort and they have a cafe there with decent food. No resupply but good food!

Elevator

#6

I’d like to add in Fish Lake to the others as well. I got there about 5 minutes before the store and restaurant were closing but they could not have been nicer or more accomodating. They also had a free hiker campsite, quiet and away from the RV’s, but still only a 5 minute walk from the store. The folks at Fish Lake were some of the friendliest that I encountered on the entire trail. I’d definitely go back there next time.

ducky

#7

Hyatt Lake had good pizza. Green Springs Mountain Inn is very close to Ashland, so you don’t really need to resupply there unless you are skipping Ashland for some reason. However, i had a really great lunch there, and it’s only a mile or 2 (?? i think??) off-trail.

markv