Resupply in Warner Springs?

imported
#1

I’m planning few maildrops for my thru hike this year, about 4-6 total. One I’m still debating is Warner Springs. Because it’s so close to the trail, I’m definitely resupplying there- I’d like to avoid a maildrop just on principle, and also because it’s barely over 2 days for me to get to Idylwild from there. But, I’m starting late (around May 22) and I’ve heard the little Mini-mart gas station can be cleaned out by earlier hikers.

Anyone who’s been there have an opinion about this? What is the store like?

Bleach

#2

we were in warner springs right behind the big crowd in 2005 and the little gas station was pretty picked over, but…the hiker box was overflowing!! trust me, everyone reads yogi’s guide, sees that the mini-mart is going to be empty, and completely overestimates how much food they will need and sends themselves huge maildrops. These maildrops are in turn dumped into the post office hiker box. I’m guilty of said dumping and about 1700 miles later I remember saying to my finace one night as my stomach growled ferociously, "I can’t believe we threw and entire 1 pound bag of M&M’s into the Warner Springs hiker box. How I wish I had those right now!"
The short of it is that Warner Springs is a place where if you aren’t on a special needs diet, then between the mini-mart and the hiker box you will have no problems with your resupply, especially just to get to Idyllwild.

anish

#3

I loved that place.

From the books I thought, as did a lot of others, that Warner Springs was going to be a rustic hole in the wall kind of very back to basics place…hell no.

Its got it all, Internet access, full restaurants (One close to your room, one at the golf course across the street) swimming pool, hot springs swimming pool, great cheap rooms for hikers and the rooms are awesome.
After that nice little walk past Eagle rock, you will dig it…and go see EAGLE ROCK, I cant believe the amount of people who woundt walk 200 yards off the trail to see it from the other side.

I miss the PCT

Lion king

#4

The Mini-Mart there has made a noticeable effort there to cater to thru-hikers coming through, and the Warner Springs Resort was one of my best rest days ever!

Smack

#5

I think you will be fine if you don’t send resupply, SoCal has a ton of stops. the volume of hiker food doubled from 05->06 and plenty (mountains) of hiker box food. if Idyllwild is a two day hike then Anza is only a one day hike, and it’s a real town with a burger joint one mile from the trail. AND, you will most likely get trail magic at Pines-to-palms hwy (same road crossing as Anza).

hellkat

#6

Warner Springs was a long time comin for me. My feet were brutalized, and the hot springs felt amazing! The post office gets really overwhelmed, but if your going to be later on after the rush, then it shouldn’t be a problem. The gas station doesn’t have much, but you can catch a ride about 15 miles to a decnt grocery store. The hiker box is pretty cush there as well since some folks drop out after that first 100 miles. Definatly stop just for the pampering you can give yourself there!

Green T

#7

Hey Green T - Nice reference to grocery store. I STILL remember that pig out. I’m having Homer Simposn visions “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing”. That was SO much London Broil you and Shaggy brought back from the grocery store.

Now, to the original question: The hiker box may be stocked pretty well by the time you get there. If you don’t mind eatin’ hiker box, you’re set. By the time you arrive, the main wave should have passed through weeks earlier, so I doubt the post office will be too full. Laguna and Warner Springs were two food drops I did from home because I knew the stores were smaller. In hindsight, after 2600 miles, I could resupply out of those stores, but at the time, I was glad I sent myself a box.

Token Civilian