[pct-l] Amtrac

[ed faubert]

Meadow Ed here............
Having just today returned from the Grand Canyon i arrived in LA at 8am this moning on Amtrac. This train started in Chicago to LA and well it is a couple of days long has some benefits for a hiker vrs a plane ride. Its a good way to get a few days of rest and off your feet, it does have a bar/cafe for snacks as well as sleeper cars and full meals but prices are higher. The surfliner to San Diago was already coming in just  as we were so the connections south are good. When you get into San Diago your just across the street from the Campo local bus.
 
Many times you see folks finish work on the east coast fri and sat jump on a plane to SD and hit the trail the next day. Well this may seem to a good idea when your home planning a hike you might want to consider a few things. If your going to get a motel/hostel in San Diago you might consider taking the train where you get to sleep for free if your coming from back east. You are also not going to have to leave items at home and be forced to rebuy items like fuel and knives. You pack a few days worth of snacks and beaverages of choice so your only buying, say hot coffee you save lots of money.
 
Remember too you can get almost all the way to Aqua Dulce from Union Station. If you get off in San Bernindeno you can get a local bus to Big Bear. Connections can also be made to get to Palm Springs or for that matter from Union Station on up to Bakersfield where you can go to Mojave or to Lake Isabella