PCT: Campo to Kennedy Meadows - June

imported
#1

We’re considering a tentative plan to hike the PCT in 2 seasons: 2014 - Southern Ca in June; Oregon in Aug - Sept. 2015 - Northern Ca in June-ish; Wash in Aug-Sept. (We’ve hiked Wonderland, TRT, JMT.) Our 2014 plans don’t allow us to start any earlier than June 1. Given an “average” winter, allowing for six weeks to cover the approx 600 miles, is June 1 to early July feasible for the Campo to Kennedy Meadows section? Should we, instead, consider the TM to CA/OR border section for June? (We can then plan an earlier start in 2015 & do the southern section then.)

trek-or

#2

Hi Trek-or,
I’ve thru-hiked the PCT 3X, but never started later than late April. However, I’ve noticed a fairly significant increase in temps in SoCal by late May. It could be very HOT in the desert sections by early June (unless there is unseasonably cold temps). My recommendation is to watch the snow levels and if it avg. or below avg, then hike the TM to CA/OR. In a heavy snow year, you might have some serious snow & snow-melt (fording) issues in that timeframe in NoCal.

If turns out to be a heavy snow year in '14, then you’ll have to pick your poison: snow or heat. At least in a heavy snow year the springs in the desert last a bit longer into the summer in SoCal. No matter what, it will be an adventure. Have a great hike!

Happy Trails,
freebird

freebird

#3

Thanks Freebird!!

To anyone: Recommendations for multi-week backpacking west US during month of June (minimal snow, bugs, gnarly river crossings)? (We’re in Oregon & know we can pretty much eliminate our Cascades then. Or/Wash coasts are possibilities but want some other options for June.)

trek-or

#4

Can you start earlier than June 1 for your 2015 sections? Odds are you’ll be pretty miserable with the heat starting Campo June 1. People do it fine, but mostly with a lot of night hiking. If you haven’t done the PCT before, you probably would rather SEE more of what you’re hiking through.

Another two considerations:

  • Northern California in June on many years will be a combination of snow-laden and mosquito-ey.

  • Speaking of mosquitos, most thru-hikers are in at least partial misery going through Yosemite in late June or early July. Last time i did the PCT i spent some time thinking of ways one could do an almost-thru-hike, but skipping Yosemite so that i could go back and do it in autumn, able to enjoy it without the bugs. You just might have a way of being able to combine your sections with that in mind.

I love these puzzles…if you want, tell more of your parameters, like exactly when you can and can’t hike each year. I’ll consider it a challenge to come up with at least some viable options and maybe you’ll like one?

:cheers

markv

#5

And to answer your other question you just posted:

Try the coast. Northern California from the OR border down to Usal is a spectacular 2 weeks that works well in June. Probably could say the same for the northern WA coast, though i haven’t done that one myself yet.

Another great option is the southern and western Sierra. The bugs die sooner at the lower elevations, and you can make some great long loops from Kennedy Meadows to Sequoia NP headquarters or over to Whitney. The serious bugs and unbridged river crossings are all north of this stuff.

markv

#6

Edit: the WA coast might be harder in June for river crossings, but you could detour around them probably. Would need to research this more… but noCal coast only has a couple of river crossings, and there are simple ways to miss them.

markv

#7

Hi Mark, Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately I can’t start on my summer backpacking treks any earlier than June this year. We have a small group committed to the OR section of the PCT in late summer (start date snow dependent). Now I’m thinking of options for June-July, including kayaking and biking. I’ve pretty much concluded now to start Southern Cal (Campo to Kennedy) next year, with a normal start time with the herd. There’s also a possibility of starting north out of TM sometime after July 4 (depending on snowmelt time) this year but we’ll see. Being from Portland and having packed all around the NW (including much of the Oregon Coast) I’m pretty aware of “best times” for trips in OR & Wa. Having packed the TRT, JMT, & Yosemite area (Grand Canyon of Tuolumne & High Sierra Camps loop - see my Flickr links in my Wonderland journal) I know about their “best times” too. But, there are many other places in the West that I’m not that familiar with so curious about possible June-July locations. It’s pretty tough trying to find long treks during those months as they’re either too late (desert) or too early (mountains). Yep, coast trips should be good then and thanks for the Or border to Usal idea - I knew about the Lost Coast but this idea extends it a bit. I wish I could find a site that lists best trips through the year/each month (domestic & international) - I’ve looked but so far haven’t found such a thing. Thanks again!

trek-or

#8

How about the Toiyabe Crest Trail in the middle of Nevada? June is the best time of year for that hike. There will still be a little snow on the ground but the springs will still be flowing. It’s only 70 miles long but you could easily do an out-and-back hike to double it. Most of the trail is around 10,000 feet so it’s quite pretty.

bowlegs