Several PCT Questions

imported
#1

Howdy all,

I’m in the midst of planning a PCT Thru-Hike for 2006. I am using the PCT Guidebooks, Data Book, Town Guide, and Yogi’s notes. Each is great, but also have different tid-bits and opinions on different aspects of the hike. In brief, I was hoping someone might be able to provide a bit of the following info:

  • List of Hostels (and towns their in) from South to North. Are than any that should be avoided?

  • I heard the Pink Motel is under new ownership and is not hiker friendly anymore? Is this true?

  • What are the major mountain ranges crossed/hiked through in order? i.e. San Jacintos, High Sierra, etc.

  • Are the desert regions of the trail all located before Kennedy Meadows?

If it is easier I would be happy to call someone and hash over some details.

Thanks all for your consideration.

Rowboat

#2

HOSTELS - the only hostel I can recall is in Ashland OR. There are trail angels in several towns who welcome hikers into their private homes.

PINK MOTEL - This was never a “motel”. It was the Middleton’s property, and they let hikers sleep inside on the floor/sofas and use the kitchen. The Middleton’s have sold their property, and it is not available for hiker use anymore.

MOUNTAIN RANGES - The trail follows the mountains. You could make a list of the ranges if you look in the three guidebooks. San Jacintos are between Idyllwild and Cabazon. The Sierra technically begin just north of Mojave/Tehachapi, but when PCT hikers think of the Sierra, we typically think of the stretch of mountains between Kennedy Meadows and Echo Lake.

DESERT - Yep, mostly before KM, but Northern California can be as hot or hotter than the SoCal deserts.

yogi

www.pcthandbook.com

yogi

#3

Hey ROwboat-

I can give you a few answers to your questions. I am sure others can add more details.

Not much in the way of hostels. I can think of only a handful. For the most part you may have trail angels down south like the Saufley’s or the Andersons. You will find more folks as you walk along the trail that are willing to take hikers in but not wanting to advertise their services on the internet. Pooh Corner in Truckee. Some folks in Quincy or was that Belden? No longer a hostel in Etna but two options other than hotels. A guy that lives near the supermarket. And the CCTG group down near Bob’s Roadhouse. Ashland has a hostel but it kinda sucks because it is your standard AYH version where they kick you out from 11am to 5pm. Then all the way up in Skykomish, WA there are some folks but I didn’t stay with them. Overall, I was truly pleased with the hospitality that I found along the way. I would say there was one that I would have bypassed but not going to mention names here.

I heard the PInk Motel has either shut down or been sold. Last I heard is that it won’t be an option for this year’s hikers. That’s too bad…that was a tough section and appreciated the shelter they provided there.

Mt ranges in order? I think it goes like this…Lagunas, San jacintos, San Bernadinos, San Gabriels, Tehachapis, Sierra, Trinity, Cascades.

Yes, all of the desert regions are before KM. However, you will hit 20-30 mile waterless sections in northern California. And it is hot and it is sticky up there. Hat Creek Rim sucks. So does Section O.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Ganj

#4

Hat Creek Rim rocks! That was one of my favorite little legs, even if it was bastard hot by the afternoon.

The Ashland Hostel didn’t get thruhikers out in 2003. Everyone else had to go, but they gave hikers the code to the door and told us to come or go as we wished. While Ashland is nice, if I were to do it again I’d hitch into Medford and stay in an air conditioned motel. It was about 105 degrees when I was there and there isn’t so much as a fan in the hostel sleeping area.

In the Agua Dulce area, the Saufleys are wonderful and you’ll find your way there at least for a while. 20 miles up the road are the Andersons and I’ve heard nothing but great things about them. Another 35ish miles up the road is the new Skaggs place (old Fair place). I’d avoid this place, as in 2003 he was putting hikers to work painting fences and the like. This was the only negative experience I had on the PCT. Some hikers reported a high creep factor. Things were supposed to be better in 2004, but I haven’t heard anyone say anything firmly. Note that you don’t need to go in to get water (as I did, and as he advertised). Just keep going toward the aquaduct and you’ll find a few million gallons of Sierran water flowing by. Maybe a mile or so from the HWY 138 crossing.

Suge

#5

Don’t miss Ziggy and Bear’s “hiker’s oasis” or was it “hiker’s haven?” in Anza. They have gone an extra mile and then some to provide an amazing a rest spot for hikers, and it’s right before the first real tough climb on the trail, so well timed to recharge.

:slight_smile:

Toes

Toes

#6

Thanks for the info!

Rowboat