[pct-l] Pct-l Digest, Vol 12, Issue 120, Msg 10

[Staley-Picolorich]

Re:  Msg 10 Leaving cars at Hwy 74 Trailhead

Yes, I think it's safe enough to leave vehicals at the PCT/Hwy 74 
trailhead/parking lot and I plan to do so for a couple of days in January, 
hiking out from there.

But I think you will also be aware of the monument at the north end of the 
parking lot/the trail progression north - the monument honors, if I'm not 
mistaken, a young guy with a passion for the trail who outhiked the rest of 
his family coming back from a backpacking trip     (this must have been in 
the '80s), who got back to the parking lot well in advance of them, only to 
find the family station wagon being stripped by ?  A confrontation 
undoubtedly resulted and he was tragically beaten to death and 
unceremoniously dumped in the scrub and his body not found for another day 
or so.  I hiked out from there, it must have been, within a week or so 
later, and was puzzled by all the yellow crime tape around.  When I saw the 
reward flyer on the Circle K store door in Anza on the way home, it became 
clear what had happened.  Every since then, I've felt a need to minimize my 
time at trailheads, and to take a good look around when coming in from the 
trail and reaching my car.

I don't mean to be scaring anyone from leaving cars at trailheads or from 
connecting with a resupply drop near a road -  it's just that trails are 
safe; trailheads, crossings with roads, and even towns, when you are own 
your own and not around other hikers, merit alertness, like anyplace else in 
the "non-trail world".

So, stay safe...but hike on.....

Cruz Control

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