PCT winter thru-hike

imported
#1

Hey guys. I know all or most people will probably say this is one of the dumbest things they’ve heard, but my brother, friend and I are going to be backpacking the world, and our journey begins with the PCT, northbound. We’d be leaving between the last week of July and the first week of August. I hear the Washington sections are often deemed way to dangerous even for partial hiking, so we may avoid that part until spring (if it isn’t spring already when we get there). Anyway, just wondering what everyone thinks, and any insights on gear and what-not. Also, if anyone is willing to join for our the PCT section of our world journey, we’d be more than happy :slight_smile:

Saiduk

#2

Carry plenty of batteries for your GPS. Research your re-supply points carefully. Many of the normal places are closed for the winter (e.g. Red’s Meadow).

bowlegs

#3

Start in Washington and head south. It snows much earlier in the north (September) and the snow stays longer than in the Sierras. If you start out in shape, you could finish the hike in late November or early December, and you might not have to deal with much snow in the Sierras.

Ginny

#4

Also, please be aware that nearly every water source (including caches) in Southern California, as well as many in Northern California and Southern Oregon will be dry by the time you begin your hike. This being a dry year many of the water sources in SoCal have already dried up. This will require a lot of planning as well as hiking through longer waterless stretches in hotter temperatures.

Garrett

#5

Hello! Was reading this strand, and I have a question about southbound hikes. My plan is to hike the PCT from the Oregon border to Echo Lake. I’d like to start in early July, or late June, and the plan is to finish in mid August. Does anyone know what the snow situation is in Northern California for this time of the year? My plan is to attempt this 2 summers from now, so I’m just in the early planning stages. I hiked a small section in California (Echo Lake to Barker Pass)2 summers ago, and it was a big snow year, so at the end of July there were still a lot of snow, and places to hike that were technically difficult. (Still lots of snow, without a marked trail, but in August, when we hiked we made it over Dick’s pass with pretty clearly marked trails, and just a little bit of snow on the decent trail going north. Is snow likely to be a problem in Northern California at this time of the year? Thanks!

girlyhiker

#6

Hi Girlyhiker-

It really all depends on the amount of snow we get the winter prior to your hike. In normal snow years, you could definitely expect to have to travel over some snow through the Trinity Alps and Russian Wilderness. Most likely it would limited to north facing slopes and shady areas but there are plenty of those. By the time you reach the Sierras most of the snow should be gone (unless it’s a heavy snow year, which snow can linger well into August). If I were you I’d plan on having to do at least a little snow travel, but probably not enough to worry about or to stop your hike. But at this point all you can do is wait and watch and plan. I know it’s not as much info as you’d probably like but I hope it helps! Happy hiking!

Garrett

#7

Garrett,

Thanks!:slight_smile:

girlyhiker