[pct-l] April hiking

[Eric Lee (GAMES)]

Roger wrote:
>
My wife and I are planning for a 2009 PCT hike. Due to time constraints, we
would like to finish as early as possible. Since our start date is
flexible, we were thinking about trying to start hiking early to mid April.
>

Actually, quite a few people start at the border in early to mid April.  Although, the point of starting at that time is to give yourself extra time to start slowly and acclimate to all-day walking, not to get to the Sierra early.  You're correct that snow in the Sierra will limit how soon you can progress north beyond that point.

Unfortunately, virtually all of the trail north of there will be under deep snow in April, so picking up miles that way probably won't work.  Pretty much all of Oregon and Washington will be buried at least as long as the Sierra is.  There might be some spots in northern California that you could pick up in late May or early June while you're waiting for the Sierra to melt out - I don't know because I'm not familiar with that area.

Eric