[pct-l] FW: Re: Resupplies not in PO's

[jeff.singewald at comcast.net]

Several days ago I posted a message re: resupply and mentioned that while I chose to use resupply drops for the majority of my hike, I was able to get  by almost entirely without sending general delivery to POs.  I have had a number of off-line requests for this strategy and was asked to post it to the list.  I am not suggestiing that this is the best approach for everyone.  It worked VERY WELL for me as my goal was to avoid delays in trail towns and not waste time in town shopping for supplies.

YMMV,

Elevator

Resupply
Mt. Laguna - used General Store rather than PO
Warner Springs - did not send resupply here - I sent a 2nd box to Mt. Laguna and picked it up when I went back for ADZ.
Idyllwild - sent to Tacquitz Inn (same location I zero'd) - the Idyllwild Inn also takes packages.
Big Bear - sent to Nature Inn (same location I zero'd)
Wrightwood - Mountain Hardware General Store
Agua Dulce - Saufley Home 
I live in California and decided to drive down to Campo to begin my hike.  My son goes to school in San Diego and he needed a vehicle to come home in after school was out in May.  So it worked out well.  On the drive down, I dropped each of these resupply drops at the locations as I had a couple of extra days.  I have made prior arrangements at all locations and validated that they would either take a mail drop via US Mail or hold a package that I dropped off.
Tehachappi - sent to Best Western Mountain Inn (where I nero'd)
Kennedy Meadows - sent to General Store
VVR - sent to General Store
Tuolumne Meadows - sent to PO
bad choice here as I reached TM before any services were opened at TM.  Did not want to go to Yosemite Valley to pick up package so went to Levinning and resupplied at the local store.
Kennedy Meadows (north) - sent to General Store - note that this is no longer available due to fire that burned the resort last year.
Lake Tahoe - did not send mail drop.  Zero'd here and resupplied.  Also sent resupply drop from here to Sierra City (General Store).
Sierra City - General Store
Beldon - sent directly to local trail angels
Old Station - sent directly to local trail angels
Castella - did not send mail drop as my parents met me at trailhead. - the general store at Castella WILL take resupply drops.  The store is right next to PO but has better hours.
Etna - sent to Amberbrook B&B
Ashland - did not send package
took zero day at my parents house 10 miles from Oregon border. - put together resupply packages for Oregon/Washington
Crater Lake - did not send as my parents wanted to meet me at the lake.  however, I would recommned sending to Mazama General Store rather than to PO.
Shelter Cove - sent to store (via UPS I believe)
Big Lake Youth Camp - sent to Youth Camp
Cascade Locks - Brother dropped off re-supply - did not send but the motel WILL take mail drops.
White Pass - sent to Kracker Barrel store
Snoqualmie Pass - sent to Motel - (Summit Inn)
Skykomish - sent to Dinsmore's River Haven
Stehekin - sent to Post Office
another miss in Stehekin.  I arrived the evening prior to the Labor Day holiday and I would have had to wait 3 days to get my re-supply.  I had a good 4 day weather window forecast so I decided to bag the re-supply and live off the crap that is sold in the small store and the good stuff from the bakery in Stehekin for 3.5 days.  As it turned out due to the fire that I was racing in the Pasayten Wilderness, I finished in 2.5 days and didn't need all of the food.
Anyway, that's more story.  With a little planning and preparation, one can nearly go without US PO General Delivery.