[pct-l] Antelope Valley Reroute

[Lou Filliger]

I've thought of that.  The natives through there aren't all that friendly, however. 
There's a sign that really sticks out in my memory:  "Trespassers will be shot.  Survivors 
will be shot again."    My impression is that they put up with the hikersl because they 
have no choice, but once the trail is rerouted they'll have no such courtesy.  Also, if I 
remember the details of the proposed agreement correctly, some of the land over which the 
trail currently crosses will be fenced off or otherwise closed.

Nevertheless, keeping out of sight of the locals and matching wits with them when 
confronted is part of the charm of the area, so I'm not complaining.

Take care
LF

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jeff.singewald at comcast.net>
To: "Lou Filliger" <lfilliger at earthlink.net>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 7:59 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Antelope Valley Reroute


>
> Lou, yes, you probably are in the minority with regards to your feelings about this 
> proposed re-route.  However, with that said, you will likely be able to hike the 
> existing route that includes 15 miles of road walking for as long as your little heart 
> desires.  I agree that hiking through the desert can be beautiful.  I really enjoyed the 
> San Felipe Hills crossing during my thru-hike in 2006.  However, walking along the 
> aqueduct on dirt roads for 16 miles is not my idea of a wilderness trail.  These dirt 
> roads will continue to exist, so feel free to keep hiking them after the re-route is 
> completed if that is what you choose.
>
> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: "Lou Filliger" <lfilliger at earthlink.net>
>
>> As a resident of LA I day-hike the sections of the trail between LA and the
>> Tehachapis as
>> a matter of convenience on a fairly regular basis. I am a sun worshipper and
>> fully enjoy
>> hiking in 90 or even 100-degree heat. It's a matter of deciding to love the
>> heat and feel
>> its power to guide you rather than fighting it or dreading it as many people do.
>>
>> One of my fondest memories of the PCT is a day-hike I did from Tehachapi-Willow
>> Springs
>> Road to the 138 at Neenach School Road. It's 39 miles and I did it in mid-May
>> of 2006.
>> Took me 14:50 (7 AM to 9:50 PM). I've often hiked along the LA Aqueduct
>> section, or up
>> past those feldspar hills in the mid-north section of the valley, or through the
>> section
>> south of the 138 down to Liebre. I know I'm in an extreme minority, but I
>> really love
>> this whole section of the trail - in fact, it's my favorite of the many parts
>> I've done -
>> and will really hate to see it go as part of this rerouting. I understand that
>> the desert
>> isn't the Pacific Crest - but the desert is beautiful, and it's vanishing, and
>> the PCT
>> already has more than its share of mountains. So, I plan to be out there
>> enjoying my
>> last couple of summers on the Aqueduct sections before they're taken away by
>> this
>> rerouting.
>>
>> Lou Filliger
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Pct-l mailing list
>> Pct-l at backcountry.net
>> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l