Ahhh…visitors on the trail. I am looking for a good trail section for a visitor along the PCT. The “visitor” will not be hiking, but wants to meet at as many road crossings as possible. Any suggestions of sections north of the desert with 2-3 road crossing in a week, also fun area for the visitor to play around in while I hike?
Hydro Heidi
How about the Tahoe area? The trail crosses roads at S. Lake Tahoe, then again a few days later near Donner Pass/Echo Lake, then again at Sierra City. Between the lakes and the casinos, your visitor will have things to do.
Ashland is another possibility. There is a summer long Shakespeare festival there, Hyatt Lake is a day north, Crater Lake another four days or so north.
Cascade Locks is another - Olallie, then Mt. Hood, then Cascade Locks are all within a week. The Bonneville Dam is interesting to visit and there are several waterfalls not far off the road there.
Ginny
A high sierra ranger asking about the PCT? :tongue Hey Heidi, how are ya. good to hear your hitting the PCT This Year. As far as trail advice, I second what Ginny says about Tahoe.
Echo lake 1094.5 (road)
bear lake rd 1122.3 (4x road)
Barker Pass 1126.8 (road)
five lakes 1138.2 (easy bail point)
donner pass 1155.6 (road)
This area is mostly easy trail with a few sierra bumps.For your frient: Gambling on the Nevada side, Tahoe lake, skiing, historic Donner Pass monument(don’t forget to go see the rock people!), Trail angel (pooh corner; indoor climbing wall, kayak or sail on donner, hot tub), olympic village, tubeing/rafting, much else I’m sure I missed. And I second Ginny’s second choice of the Ashland Oregon area.
hellkat
Section P may be another option. Castle Crags at I-5; Parks Creek Rd; Hwy 3 at Scott Mtn and the Somes Bar-Etna Road are all paved access during this 100 mile section. Things to see and do in Dunsmuir, Mt. Shasta, McCloud, Weaverville, Yreka, Redding. You could have a ride all lined up to get you into Etna.
Jim