[pct-l] Supplies not in P.O.'s

[jeff.singewald at comcast.net]

Georgi,

Good to hear from you.  Just one point re: Etna.  You mention timing this for the afternoon as folks heading home from Yreka in the afternoon.  This really doesn't matter since Yreka (my hometown) is north of Etna on Highway 3 and the trailhead is 9 miles south of Etna.  While the Etna Summit road appears to be out in the middle of nowhere there is a surprising amount of traffic on it as there is a number of back-woods towns over the mountain.  There is a very large pull-out area at the summit most folks travelling this road during the summer are very aware that the PCT crosses the road and it is rare that more than one or two cars pass without stopping.

Jeff

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Georgi Heitman" <bobbnweav at gmail.com> 

Yo, Jeff, how goes it?
Our list on No Cal places is pretty much right on but needs a bit of refining, hope you don't mind.
 Belden....
 Usually Brenda and Laurie Braaten, both of whom teach, drive out here to their future retirement home and T.A. station from way back East.  They only get to spend about a month at their Little Haven.  Better to send to Gen Del, Belton and request that it get picked up by the Braatens.  Reach them anytime at LJBratten at aol.com and late June / July at 530.283.9880.  That way, if you arrive before or after they are in Beldon, you know where your box is if it's not with them, ie, safely stacked with all the other boxes in the P.O., not sitting on the Bratten's doorstep, being ravaged by the local apple tree bear.  The hours kept by the P.O. are strange, but the Post Mistress is very nice and will arrange to tuck  your box away in a place you can find it.  Phone number for the P.O. is in Yogi's Handbook.  Don't have the P.O. mistresses name, wish I did.
Old Station.... 
Pretty much right on, except that we we only have a small closet that's mouse-proof.  It holds maybe 6 or 7 boxes at a time.  Better to do as in Belden...send to the P.O. to be held for us.  Sue and her assistant on Saturdays Jennie are the very best.  I can leave boxes there til either Dennie and I or the P.O. Masters hear from you that you're arriving soon, or until right before the date of your planned arrival (written on your boxes??) is near.  That way, I usually don't run out of mouse-proof storage.  Reach us at bobbnweav at gmail.com, 530.335.7463 or P.O. Box 12, Old Station, CA 96071.  P.O.'s number is 530.335.7292.
Burney Falls  St. Pk....
Even if you don't plan to stay or even pick up a package here, you HAVE to take a few minutes to see the falls.  They are really unique, read the signs and realize that this fall's headwaters, so to speak, are only about 1/3rd of a mile upstream!  Don't know where the water comes from before it emerges from underground, but it's pretty amazing.  The store will release your box for $5.00 bail.  Ranger/ Trail Angels Shirley and Jason will help you with anything they can, including get you a ride into Burney the town, thus saving hiker folk a somewhat nasty hitch into Burney (the town) from Hwy 299.  Just keep walking til you get to the falls.  For the best trail view, take the alternate trail from just past where it crosses Hwy 89, just before entering the St. Pk.
Castella....
Elevator's right...store and P.O. are next to each other and the store's hours are longer. P.O.'s number should be in Yogi's, and the store's as well.  The Castle Cargs St. Pk is just up the road and will have your box delivered to the Park if you ask them.  A couple of Ranger/Trail Angels there...I've met Brett s couple of times, very sweet and helpful.  They are trying to widen their accommodations for hikers, laundry?  can't remember, but you have your own hiker site.
Etna....
Well worth the hitch in...not just for the town's Etna BREWING Co. and old fashioned soda fountain l which is located in the Scott's Vally Drug store... but for the town itself and it's people.  Very friendly!!t
The name of the B&B is Alderbrook Manor, tho I suspect that what Elevator wrote would have gotten a package to the right spot.  Whether it's Dave and Vicki Henderson, the owners, or their managers, whose names I've forgotten, and wish I knew, the Hiker Hut or the grounds around the B&B (you can camp out there) make staying there a lovely experience.  Alderbrook's phone number is 530.4673917.  UPS or FedEx packages there. 
 P.O.'s number is. 
 Be aware that you should plan your arrival so that you hit the trail head on Hwy 3 in the late afternoon/early evening.  Etna is tiny, many folks commute out in the A.M. to work in Yreka, etc. and are homeward bound in the afternoon/evening.  They are very used to seeing and picking hikers up for delivery to their Etna destination.  There are a few other places to crash, the Motel Etna and   something called the CCTG.    Bob's Ranch House served me the best calimari steaks I've ever eaten, breakfast was also great....
That's about it, 
FireFly