[pct-l] Section C in Fall

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

I live in Southern California and hike all year. I have experience in  
my own area that might transfer to the area you are considering  
hiking, but no direct experience with Section C in Fall.

Some of the water in that section was man-made, such as the water  
available at the wind farm, Silverwood Lake, and I think there was a  
store near Highway 173. Other water appeared to me like water that  
might last through Fall, such as Deep Creek, possibly Mission Creek  
(if you know how to look for the deep pools that will stick around),   
Holcomb Creek, possibly Arrastre Creek, and maybe, just maybe,  
Crowder Canyon. Others I don't remember very well.

I think it could be done so long as you are willing to carry a lot of  
water and walk long distances with it through some of the drier  
sections. You would probably have really nice weather. Fall is my  
favorite time to backpack in So Cal.

I usually like to hike in November after the first rains, usually  
over Thanksgiving week. The creeks are usually full and the little  
pools of rainwater are full, too. I don't know how the first rains of  
So Cal would affect possible snow in the Big Bear area, however. You  
could probably find a hiking club that frequents that area and ask  
them for more details about possible snow, and maybe about water  
availability.

Diane

On Aug 23, 2008, at 5:38 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> From: Albach <ralbach at austin.rr.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Section C in Fall
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID: <48B0936C.8030601 at austin.rr.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> Am wondering about the wisdom of hiking all of section C in the Fall
> (I10 to I15). I was originally going to do this in June but had to  
> take
> a biz trip to Chile instead (am not complaining because the place is
> beautiful).
>
> I've noticed that the water reports for the area are many months  
> behind
> (again not complaining just observing) so my concern is regarding  
> water
> availability. My hike profile has been doing each section A (May  
> 06) and
> B (June 07) in 4.5 days each so lets say I average 20 miles a day.
>
> Any thoughts or wisdom you can offer? I'm a full time dad / working
> stiff so my windows of opportunity are limited.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> -Robert