Backpacks to fill the gaps in the Semb Books

The two volumes of Day Hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail by George & Patricia Semb have been the key references for persons wanting to hike the PCNST with short hikes. They cover all the trail that is feasible for most non-through hikers using conventional passenger cars. However there are some parts of the PCNST that they consider inaccessible to day hikers. So what should people do that could backpack the "inaccessible" parts if they had to, but would prefer to dayhike when possible?

So here is a list of "inaccessible" parts and suggestions for backpacking them. It's based on the Semb books, and includes their dayhikes of 21 or more miles. I try to avoid dayhikes of more than 20 miles, backpack days of more than 15 miles, and High Sierra Pass days of more than 10 miles.

Most of these suggestions are trips I've done, but not all. I have hiked all the PCT itself in the period 2001-2013, but sometimes divided differently from what I list here.

"H unchecked" indicates an outing in section H for which I haven't hiked the non-PCT trail and road access. In contrast, "J 2003" indicates an outing in section J, where in 2003 I hiked the listed non-PCT access, if any. "30/2" means a thirty mile backpack over two days, so one overnight camp. Place names usually are from the Data Book. Campsite designations are from the Halfmile maps.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
A 2001 24/2 Hwy 78 to Barrel Spring

14 WRCS077 Hwy 77 Scissors to CS00091
10 CS00091 to WRCS101 Barrel Spring
note: no natural water in this segment.
There might be a cache at WR091.
If not counting on the cache, CS0088 is closer to the middle of the segment.
If you can do a 24 mile dayhike, this is a good place for it.

C 2011 21/2 Whitewater Preserve to Mission Cr Camp

11 WRCS0219 Whitewater Preserve to WRCS0230
10 WRCS0230 to WRCS0240 Mission Cr Camp
note: Not a bad downhill dayhike.

E 2017 23/2 Cottonwood Cr Br to Tehachapi-Willow Sprs Rd

7 WR535 Cottonwood Cr Br to camp WRCS542 Tylerhorse Canyon
note: This is the only water in this segment.
A dayhike is easier.
16 WRCS542 to RD0558 Tehachapi-Willow Sprs Rd

F 2017 38/3 Hwy 58 to Mace Mdw

17 566 Hwy 58 to camp WR583 Golden Oak Springs
19 WR583 to camp WRCS602 Robin Bird Spring
note: dry camps possible perhaps at 577 or RD0579 and CS0593
2
1 WRCS602 to 603
1 603 to Jawbone Canyon Rd
note: one could park at a junction of a side road with Jawbone Canyon Rd,
about 1.5 mi after Robin Bird Spring.
It's 0.5 mi uphill from point 603.
It might be possible to drive closer to Robin Bird Spring depending on
Jawbone Canyon Rd condition.
note: checked southbound in 2017
6 dayhiked RD0608 Landers Mdw to RD0602 Jawbone Canyon Rd
12 backpack RD0602 to GT0590 dry camp
13 backpack GT0590 to 0577 dry OHV campground
11 backpack 0577 to Hwy 58

G 2016 29/2 Walker Pass to Chimney Cr CG

12 652 Walker Pass to camp WR664 Joshua Tree Spring
note: also possible to carry water to 667 saddle
17 WR664 to RD0681 Chimney Cr CG

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
G 2016 43/3 Kennedy Mdws to Horseshoe Mdw

12 RD0704B Kennedy Mdws CG to camp WACS0716 S Fk Kern River
15 WACS0716 to camp WACS0731 Death Canyon
note: make sure the spring is running.
Alternates include WA0728 and WACS0742.
16
14 WACS0731 to TR0745B Trail Pass
2 to Horseshoe Mdw TH

GH 2015 50/4 Horseshoe Mdw to Kearsarge Pass to Onion Valley

13
3 Horseshoe Mdw to 750 Cottonwood Pass 11160
10 750 Cottonwood Pass to camp WACSBB0760 Rock Cr
15
6 WACSBB0760 Rock Cr to WACSBB0766 Crabtree Mdw
9 WACSBB0766 to camp 775 Tyndall Cr
12 775 to Forester Pass 13180 to camp 787 Vidette Mdw
10
3 787 to 790 Bullfrog Lk Tr
7 790 to Kearsarge Pass 11845 to Onion Valley

H 2016 60/6 Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass to Bishop Pass to South Lake

7 Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass 11845 to camp 790 Bullfrog Lk Tr Jct
11 790 to Glen Pass 11978 to camp 801 Woods Cr
9 801 to Pinchot Pass 12130 to camp 810 Lk Marjorie
10 810 to Mather Pass 12100 to camp 820 Upper Palisade Lk
12
11 820 to WACS0831B Bishop Pass Tr Jct
1 WACS0831B to camp on bench
11 camp to Bishop Pass 11972 to South Lake

H 2013 55/5 South Lake to Bishop Pass to Paiute Pass to North Lake

12 South Lake to Bishop Pass 11972 to camp WACS0831B Bishop Pass Tr Jct
10 WACS0831B Bishop Pass Trail Jct to Muir Pass 11955 to camp WACS0841 Wanda Lk
10 WACS0841 to camp WACS0851 Evolution Cr
11
5 WACS0851 to WA0856D Piute Pass Tr Jct
6 WA0856D to camp Hutchinson Mdw
12 Hutchinson Mdw to Piute Pass 11400 to North Lake
note: checked southbound in 2013

H unchecked 42/4 Florence Lake to Muir Trail Ranch to Vermillion Valley

9 Florence Lk on Blayney Mdws Tr to camp Muir Trail Ranch
11
1 Muir Trail Ranch to 860
4 860 to WA0856D
6 WA0856D to camp Muir Trail Ranch
12
1 Muir Trail Ranch to 860
11 860 to Selden Pass 10870 to camp WACS0871 Bear Cr
10
8 WACS0871 to WACS0879
2 WACS0879 to VVR ferry
0 VVR ferry to Vermillion Valley

H unchecked 41/4 Mono Pass TH to Mono Pass to Reds Mdw

8 Mono Pass TH to Mono Pass 12000 to camp Second Recess
13
4 Second Recess to WACS0880 Mono Pass Tr Jct
1
WACS0880 to WACS0879
8 WACS0879 to Silver Pass 10900 to camp CS0887
9 CS0887 to camp WACS0896 Duck Lk Tr
11 WACS0896 to TR0907 Reds Mdw

H 2015 28/2 Agnew Mdw to Tuolumne Mdws

12 915 Agnew Mdws to camp WACS9027 Marie Lakes Tr Jct
16 WACS9027 to 943 Tuolumne Mdws

I 2017 71/6 Tuolumne Mdws to Sonora Pass

13 943 Tuolumne Mdws to camp WA0956 Return Cr
12 WA0956 to camp WACS0968 Smedberg Lk
12 WACS0968 to camp WACS0980 Kerrick Canyon Cr
12 WACS0980 to camp 992 Jack Main Canyon
12 992 to camp CS1004 Kennedy Canyon
10
5 CS1004 to TR1009 Leavitt Lk Tr
5 TR1009 to Sonora Pass Hwy
note: checked northbound in 2017
12 GT0943 to dry camp 0954
11 0954 to WACS0965
10 WACS0965 to WA0975
7 WA0975 to WACS0982 - delayed by thunderstorm
13 WACS0982 to dry camp 0995
14 0995 to TR1009 plus
4 to car parked on Leavitt Lake Rd - very long day

K unchecked 22/2 Bayview TH to Barker Pass

7
4 Bayview TH to TR1107 Dicks Lk
3 TR1107 to camp 1110 Middle Velma Lk
15 1110 to RD1125 Barker Pass

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Q unchecked 31/3 Etna Summit to Paradise TH

11 RD1597 Etna Summit to camp CS1608 Shelly Mdws
10 CS1608 to camp WA1618 Cold Spring
10
8 WA1618 to TR1626 Paradise Tr
2 TR1626 to Paradise Tr TH
note: The Sembs propose several inefficient dayhikes for this area.
A three day backpack is more efficient.
Or do Etna to Grider, 50 miles, in four days.

Q unchecked 23/2 Paradise TH to Grider Cr CG

12
2 Paradise Tr TH to TR1626
10 TR1626 to camp CS1636
11 CS1636 to WACS1647 Grider Cr CG

OREGON
E unchecked 23/2 Irish Lk to Elk Lk

12 RD1928 Irish Lake to camp WACS1940 Mac Lake
11
10 WACS1940 to TR1950 Elk Lk Tr
1 TR1950 to Elk Lk TH

E 2016 28/2 Devils Lk TH to McKenzie Pass TH

15
4 Devils Lk TH to 1958 Wickiup Plain
11 1958 to camp 1969 Obsidian Boundary
13 1969 to 1982 McKenzie Pass TH
note: 1969-1971 Obsidian Falls access and camping are complicated by special permits.
Entering on the PCT, you don't need them.
Campsites are just south of the restricted area.
Don't get too ambitious here and in Mt Washington Wilderness to the north:
volcanic trails are very rocky, uneven, exposed, and dry.

WASHINGTON
H unchecked 30/2 Walupt Lk to White Pass

17
5 Walupt Lk CG to Nannie Ridge Tr 98 to TR2267
12 TR2267 to camp WACS2280 Lutz Lake
note: Dangerous in bad weather.
"bleak alpine" campsites available sooner than Lutz Lake.
Yogi for details.
13 WACS2280 to TH2292 White Pass

I 2012 30/2 White Pass to Chinook Pass

14 White Pass TH2292 to camp WACS2305 at Bumping River
16 WACS2305 Bumping River to TH2321 Chinook Pass
note: breaking this into dayhikes is more trouble than it's worth

J 2003 28/2 Snoqualmie Pass to Pete Lake TH

15 Snoqualmie Pass RD2391B to camp CS2405 near Park Lakes Tr Jct
13
6 CS2405 to TR2411 Pete Lake Trail 1323 Jct
7 Pete Lake Tr to TH

J 2012 39/3 Pete Lake TH loop over Escondido Ridge and Waptus Pass

15
7 Pete Lake Trail 1323 to TR2411 PCT
8 TR2411 to camp 2418 on Escondido Ridge
note: only a few small designated campsites on Escondido Ridge
13
11 2418 to TR2429 Spinola Cr Tr 1310.1
2 TR2429 on Spinola Cr Tr to camp after Waptus River crossing
note: Waptus River is an easy ford in September
11 Waptus Pass Tr 1329 back to Pete Lake TH

K unchecked 26/2 Top Lk Tr to Little Wenatchee Tr

12
5 Top Lk Tr 1506 to TR2470 at Pear Lk
7 TR2470 to camp WACS 2487 at Pass Cr
14
7 WACS 2487 to TR2494 Little Wenatchee Tr at Kodak Peak
7 TR2494 on Little Wenatchee Tr 1525 to TH

K unchecked 59/5 Little Wenatchee Tr to Suiattle River Tr

9
7 Little Wenatchee Tr 1525 to TR2494 at Kodak Peak
2 TR2494 to camp CS 2496 at Indian Pass
note: dry camp at Indian Pass
13 CS 2496 to camp CS 2509 at Sitkum Cr
11 CS 2509 to camp WACS 2519 below Mica Lk
14 WACS 2519 to camp WACS 2533 at Vista Cr
12
5 WACS 2533 to TR2538 Suiattle River Tr 784
7 Suiattle River Tr 784 to road FR 26
The PCT is poorly maintained due to remoteness; allow extra time, especially early in the season.
This is the longest backpack north of Sonora Pass
In 2002 I went from High Bridge to Stevens Pass in one long 98 mile trip.
13 months later many miles of PCT, access trails, bridges, and roads washed away, and many have not been rebuilt.
N Fk Sauk River Tr 649 is an intermediate option if road 49 open, meeting PCT at TR2500, 8.4 mi from Rd 49

K unchecked 38/3 Suiattle River Tr to High Bridge

10
7 road FR 26 to TR2538 on Suiattle River Tr 784
3 TR2538 to camp CS 2541
14
9 CS 2541 to TR2550
5 TR2550 to camp CS2555
14 CS2555 to High Br
take shuttle next day to ferry to Chelan.
The PCT is poorly maintained due to remoteness; allow extra time, especially early in the season.

L 2001 28/2 Rainy Pass to Meadows CG

15 Rainy Pass to camp WACS2604 on West Fork Methow River
13 WACS2604 to Meadows CG

L 2001 39/3 Harts Pass to Manning

16 2619 Harts Pass to camp CS2635
note: long day with no water
note: could dry camp at Holman Pass
8 CS2635 to camp 2644 at Hopkins Lake
15 2644 Hopkins Lk to RD2658Manning Park
note: have to cross border northbound

	SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
A 2001	24/2 Hwy 78 to Barrel Spring
	14 WRCS077 Hwy 77 Scissors to CS00091 10 CS00091 to WRCS101 Barrel Spring note: no natural water in this segment. There might be a cache at WR091. If not counting on the cache, CS0088 is closer to the middle of the segment. If you can do a 24 mile dayhike, this is a good place for it.
C 2011	21/2 Whitewater Preserve to Mission Cr Camp
	11 WRCS0219 Whitewater Preserve to WRCS0230 10 WRCS0230 to WRCS0240 Mission Cr Camp note: Not a bad downhill dayhike.
E 2017	23/2 Cottonwood Cr Br to Tehachapi-Willow Sprs Rd
	7 WR535 Cottonwood Cr Br to camp WRCS542 Tylerhorse Canyon note: This is the only water in this segment. A dayhike is easier. 16 WRCS542 to RD0558 Tehachapi-Willow Sprs Rd
F 2017	38/3 Hwy 58 to Mace Mdw
	17 566 Hwy 58 to camp WR583 Golden Oak Springs 19 WR583 to camp WRCS602 Robin Bird Spring note: dry camps possible perhaps at 577 or RD0579 and CS0593 2 1 WRCS602 to 603 1 603 to Jawbone Canyon Rd note: one could park at a junction of a side road with Jawbone Canyon Rd, about 1.5 mi after Robin Bird Spring. It's 0.5 mi uphill from point 603. It might be possible to drive closer to Robin Bird Spring depending on Jawbone Canyon Rd condition. note: checked southbound in 2017 6 dayhiked RD0608 Landers Mdw to RD0602 Jawbone Canyon Rd 12 backpack RD0602 to GT0590 dry camp 13 backpack GT0590 to 0577 dry OHV campground 11 backpack 0577 to Hwy 58
G 2016	29/2 Walker Pass to Chimney Cr CG
	12 652 Walker Pass to camp WR664 Joshua Tree Spring note: also possible to carry water to 667 saddle 17 WR664 to RD0681 Chimney Cr CG

	CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
G 2016	43/3 Kennedy Mdws to Horseshoe Mdw
	12 RD0704B Kennedy Mdws CG to camp WACS0716 S Fk Kern River 15 WACS0716 to camp WACS0731 Death Canyon note: make sure the spring is running. Alternates include WA0728 and WACS0742. 16 14 WACS0731 to TR0745B Trail Pass 2 to Horseshoe Mdw TH
GH 2015	50/4 Horseshoe Mdw to Kearsarge Pass to Onion Valley
	13 3 Horseshoe Mdw to 750 Cottonwood Pass 11160 10 750 Cottonwood Pass to camp WACSBB0760 Rock Cr 15 6 WACSBB0760 Rock Cr to WACSBB0766 Crabtree Mdw 9 WACSBB0766 to camp 775 Tyndall Cr 12 775 to Forester Pass 13180 to camp 787 Vidette Mdw 10 3 787 to 790 Bullfrog Lk Tr 7 790 to Kearsarge Pass 11845 to Onion Valley
H 2016	60/6 Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass to Bishop Pass to South Lake
	7 Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass 11845 to camp 790 Bullfrog Lk Tr Jct 11 790 to Glen Pass 11978 to camp 801 Woods Cr 9 801 to Pinchot Pass 12130 to camp 810 Lk Marjorie 10 810 to Mather Pass 12100 to camp 820 Upper Palisade Lk 12 11 820 to WACS0831B Bishop Pass Tr Jct 1 WACS0831B to camp on bench 11 camp to Bishop Pass 11972 to South Lake
H 2013	55/5 South Lake to Bishop Pass to Paiute Pass to North Lake
	12 South Lake to Bishop Pass 11972 to camp WACS0831B Bishop Pass Tr Jct 10 WACS0831B Bishop Pass Trail Jct to Muir Pass 11955 to camp WACS0841 Wanda Lk 10 WACS0841 to camp WACS0851 Evolution Cr 11 5 WACS0851 to WA0856D Piute Pass Tr Jct 6 WA0856D to camp Hutchinson Mdw 12 Hutchinson Mdw to Piute Pass 11400 to North Lake note: checked southbound in 2013
H unchecked	42/4 Florence Lake to Muir Trail Ranch to Vermillion Valley
	9 Florence Lk on Blayney Mdws Tr to camp Muir Trail Ranch 11 1 Muir Trail Ranch to 860 4 860 to WA0856D 6 WA0856D to camp Muir Trail Ranch 12 1 Muir Trail Ranch to 860 11 860 to Selden Pass 10870 to camp WACS0871 Bear Cr 10 8 WACS0871 to WACS0879 2 WACS0879 to VVR ferry 0 VVR ferry to Vermillion Valley
H unchecked	41/4 Mono Pass TH to Mono Pass to Reds Mdw
	8 Mono Pass TH to Mono Pass 12000 to camp Second Recess 13 4 Second Recess to WACS0880 Mono Pass Tr Jct 1 WACS0880 to WACS0879 8 WACS0879 to Silver Pass 10900 to camp CS0887 9 CS0887 to camp WACS0896 Duck Lk Tr 11 WACS0896 to TR0907 Reds Mdw
H 2015	28/2 Agnew Mdw to Tuolumne Mdws
	12 915 Agnew Mdws to camp WACS9027 Marie Lakes Tr Jct 16 WACS9027 to 943 Tuolumne Mdws
I 2017	71/6 Tuolumne Mdws to Sonora Pass
	13 943 Tuolumne Mdws to camp WA0956 Return Cr 12 WA0956 to camp WACS0968 Smedberg Lk 12 WACS0968 to camp WACS0980 Kerrick Canyon Cr 12 WACS0980 to camp 992 Jack Main Canyon 12 992 to camp CS1004 Kennedy Canyon 10 5 CS1004 to TR1009 Leavitt Lk Tr 5 TR1009 to Sonora Pass Hwy note: checked northbound in 2017 12 GT0943 to dry camp 0954 11 0954 to WACS0965 10 WACS0965 to WA0975 7 WA0975 to WACS0982 - delayed by thunderstorm 13 WACS0982 to dry camp 0995 14 0995 to TR1009 plus 4 to car parked on Leavitt Lake Rd - very long day
K unchecked	22/2 Bayview TH to Barker Pass
	7 4 Bayview TH to TR1107 Dicks Lk 3 TR1107 to camp 1110 Middle Velma Lk 15 1110 to RD1125 Barker Pass

	NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Q unchecked	31/3 Etna Summit to Paradise TH
	11 RD1597 Etna Summit to camp CS1608 Shelly Mdws 10 CS1608 to camp WA1618 Cold Spring 10 8 WA1618 to TR1626 Paradise Tr 2 TR1626 to Paradise Tr TH note: The Sembs propose several inefficient dayhikes for this area. A three day backpack is more efficient. Or do Etna to Grider, 50 miles, in four days.
Q unchecked	23/2 Paradise TH to Grider Cr CG
	12 2 Paradise Tr TH to TR1626 10 TR1626 to camp CS1636 11 CS1636 to WACS1647 Grider Cr CG

	OREGON
E unchecked	23/2 Irish Lk to Elk Lk
	12 RD1928 Irish Lake to camp WACS1940 Mac Lake 11 10 WACS1940 to TR1950 Elk Lk Tr 1 TR1950 to Elk Lk TH
E 2016	28/2 Devils Lk TH to McKenzie Pass TH
	15 4 Devils Lk TH to 1958 Wickiup Plain 11 1958 to camp 1969 Obsidian Boundary 13 1969 to 1982 McKenzie Pass TH note: 1969-1971 Obsidian Falls access and camping are complicated by special permits. Entering on the PCT, you don't need them. Campsites are just south of the restricted area. Don't get too ambitious here and in Mt Washington Wilderness to the north: volcanic trails are very rocky, uneven, exposed, and dry.

	WASHINGTON
H unchecked	30/2 Walupt Lk to White Pass
	17 5 Walupt Lk CG to Nannie Ridge Tr 98 to TR2267 12 TR2267 to camp WACS2280 Lutz Lake note: Dangerous in bad weather. "bleak alpine" campsites available sooner than Lutz Lake. Yogi for details. 13 WACS2280 to TH2292 White Pass
I 2012	30/2 White Pass to Chinook Pass
	14 White Pass TH2292 to camp WACS2305 at Bumping River 16 WACS2305 Bumping River to TH2321 Chinook Pass note: breaking this into dayhikes is more trouble than it's worth
J 2003	28/2 Snoqualmie Pass to Pete Lake TH
	15 Snoqualmie Pass RD2391B to camp CS2405 near Park Lakes Tr Jct 13 6 CS2405 to TR2411 Pete Lake Trail 1323 Jct 7 Pete Lake Tr to TH
J 2012	39/3 Pete Lake TH loop over Escondido Ridge and Waptus Pass
	15 7 Pete Lake Trail 1323 to TR2411 PCT 8 TR2411 to camp 2418 on Escondido Ridge note: only a few small designated campsites on Escondido Ridge 13 11 2418 to TR2429 Spinola Cr Tr 1310.1 2 TR2429 on Spinola Cr Tr to camp after Waptus River crossing note: Waptus River is an easy ford in September 11 Waptus Pass Tr 1329 back to Pete Lake TH
K unchecked	26/2 Top Lk Tr to Little Wenatchee Tr
	12 5 Top Lk Tr 1506 to TR2470 at Pear Lk 7 TR2470 to camp WACS 2487 at Pass Cr 14 7 WACS 2487 to TR2494 Little Wenatchee Tr at Kodak Peak 7 TR2494 on Little Wenatchee Tr 1525 to TH
K unchecked	59/5 Little Wenatchee Tr to Suiattle River Tr
	9 7 Little Wenatchee Tr 1525 to TR2494 at Kodak Peak 2 TR2494 to camp CS 2496 at Indian Pass note: dry camp at Indian Pass 13 CS 2496 to camp CS 2509 at Sitkum Cr 11 CS 2509 to camp WACS 2519 below Mica Lk 14 WACS 2519 to camp WACS 2533 at Vista Cr 12 5 WACS 2533 to TR2538 Suiattle River Tr 784 7 Suiattle River Tr 784 to road FR 26 The PCT is poorly maintained due to remoteness; allow extra time, especially early in the season. This is the longest backpack north of Sonora Pass In 2002 I went from High Bridge to Stevens Pass in one long 98 mile trip. 13 months later many miles of PCT, access trails, bridges, and roads washed away, and many have not been rebuilt. N Fk Sauk River Tr 649 is an intermediate option if road 49 open, meeting PCT at TR2500, 8.4 mi from Rd 49
K unchecked	38/3 Suiattle River Tr to High Bridge
	10 7 road FR 26 to TR2538 on Suiattle River Tr 784 3 TR2538 to camp CS 2541 14 9 CS 2541 to TR2550 5 TR2550 to camp CS2555 14 CS2555 to High Br take shuttle next day to ferry to Chelan. The PCT is poorly maintained due to remoteness; allow extra time, especially early in the season.
L 2001	28/2 Rainy Pass to Meadows CG
	15 Rainy Pass to camp WACS2604 on West Fork Methow River 13 WACS2604 to Meadows CG
L 2001	39/3 Harts Pass to Manning
	16 2619 Harts Pass to camp CS2635 note: long day with no water note: could dry camp at Holman Pass 8 CS2635 to camp 2644 at Hopkins Lake 15 2644 Hopkins Lk to RD2658Manning Park note: have to cross border northbound