[pct-l] Newbie section hike question

Tue Dec 20 16:09:10 CST 2011

Hi Jim,

Being from Mendocino, I have also spent a lot of time hiking and riding all over Northern California, during the 34 years that I lived there.

I also know Back Country Horseman John Lyons and his BCH wife Gail.  She was BCH President when I was at their ranch in Etna.( It's name is appropriate - "Lyons Den". )  And his trail crew, on which you worked as a volunteer, - Lyon's Pride. Thanks for your help - you are another hiker who has pitched in and gave something back to the PCT.

I had left Primo in a corral in Castle Crags and driven the rig ahead to the Lyon's Den ranch. I Hitched, bussed, and hitched, back to Castle Crags. Riding north, I had benefited by helpful trail information from John. I knew, in 2008, that over 50 miles of the PCT was closed north of Etna Summit due to fires. When we arrived at Etna Summit I sent word down to John Lyons with a hiker, who was hitching to Etna.  He picked us up with my own rig and we enjoyed our visit at the Lyons Den - Primo had a beautiful green pasture. I enjoyed a BBQ steak. What luxuries when you have been living on the trail. I had enjoyed another epic meal, BBQ chicken, the night before, at Hidden Horse Camp when a group of Back Country Horsemen invited me to dinner. Luck, two days in a row.

I then trailered Primo northwest to Seiad Valley, to the ranch of Peggy Goshgarian, which borders the PCT. She is an equestrian who has ridden the PCT through Oregon and Washington. Peggy is also sometimes a packer who volunteers to help with trail maintenance on the PCT. Peggy was very helpful to Primo and I. You probably also know her.

I wish you a great Holiday season.

MendoRider-Hiker

________________________________
 From: "enyapjr at comcast.net" <enyapjr at comcast.net>
To: pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 6:55 AM
Subject: [pct-l]  Newbie section hike question

Welcome to the pct-l, Liz...
> ...moving from Arizona to the Mt Shasta area, and I'd very much like to
get in a hike on the PCT this summer as an intro to the area...

As MendoRider said:  
> You live near a wonderful part of the PCT.
I am biased, however, since I grew up in far NorCal and avidly explored & experienced my old 'home turf' mountains many years ago - 
and I try to return each summer for two or three weeks to get my annual 'sanity fix'...

Explore your new home area first - too many day hikes and weekend backpacks to mention both on and off the PCT - and it's readily
accessible right in your new 'backyard'...
I suggest <http://northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com/blog/hiking-guides/75-hikes-shasta-lassen/> as an intro to the Shasta/Lassen area...

Regarding the PCT in your new home area:
Section P, 100 miles:  I-5 to Parks Creek Summit is 39 miles, Parks Ck Summit to Scott Mountain Summit (Hwy 3) is 21 miles, 
Scott Mtn Summit to Carter Meadows Summit is 20 miles, Carter Mdws Summit to Etna Summit is 20 miles...
Section Q, 55.5 miles:  Etna Summit to Grider Creek CG is 49 miles - then a 6.5 mile road walk will get you to Seiad Valley...
Many choices of start/end points for a 40 to 75 mile (or more!) trek...
Then there is also Section O and/or R to consider as well...  ;-/

Download Halfmile's PCT maps, <http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html>, of the above sections and start planning!  ;o)
Also check out a great group, the Siskiyou Wanderers, <http://siskiyouwanderers.com/>, a few of which I have worked with on the
Lyons' Pride PCT Trail Crew - they know the NorCal area very well and have many day hikes you could go on & would enjoy!!

Happy trails!!!
Jim (PITA)

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