[pct-l] Getting a ride to VVR

[Ikem Freeman]

In '08, I missed the morning ferry to VVR, but was able to hitch a ride (via
a boat! My first time to hitch-hike someone passing in a boat!) across the
lake with a nice family ... all the way to Fresno and caught Amtrak to
Oregon to take care of some business. On my return, I rode Amtrak back to
Fresno, and took public transit back as close as I could get, then started
hitching.

Made it in 3 or 4 rides all the way to Hunnington Lake (at the end of Hwy
158), but once I turned onto the road up to VVR, no one would give me a
ride. I sat there for 3 hours, and several cars, pick-up trucks, and RV's
went past. I knew that most, if not all, were going to VVR! It's about 20
miles from this point to VVR. Finally, I said to myself, "You know ... 20
miles compared to 2,650 miles is just not that far, so I started walking. I
went about 5 miles, and again, more vehicles passed me. They seemed so nice,
some even waved as they went past!

It started to get dark, so I camped for the night. Still more cars past!

In the morning, a very nice family stopped and asked if I needed a ride,
which I gladly accepted. They were headed for the Morning Ferry, and it
worked out GREAT!

Good luck with your trip!

O. Ikem Sofar

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 1:41 PM, Denis Stanton <denisstanton at mac.com> wrote:

> Hi, looking for advice or assistance
>
> I'm visiting the USA from New Zealand for the Apple conference in June and
> hoping to do the next stage of my long-term PCT section hike.  I started
> from Kennedy Meadows three years ago.  This year I hope to resume at VVR and
> hike to Reds Meadow or Tuolumne.
>
> The big problem is getting to VVR.  I know I can get from my temporary base
> in Oakland to Fresno by Amtrak, but I can't find any public transport from
> Fresno to VVR.  Are any hikers, or supporters, likely to be driving up to
> VVR on Saturday 12th June or maybe the day after?  Willing to share
> costs/pay gas or whatever it takes. There are two of us traveling.  My son
> ("SunWalker" or "Heaps") through-hiked the PCT in 2007 and is coming along
> to supervise.
>
> I understand VVR can arrange a shuttle but it's very expensive for just
> two.  It gets much cheaper for the third or forth person, so sharing a
> shuttle becomes a possibility.  I have hitched between resupply towns on
> Hwy-395 quite successfully but I can't see trying to hitch out of central
> Fresno being so straight forward.
>
> Thank you
>
> Denis Stanton
> "Walks with Son"
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