[pct-l] Mexico to Palm Springs

[Eric Martinot]

I started from Campo April 1 in 2012 and just loved the SoCal trail that
early, not hot, lots of water.  (A bit chilly at night.) No problems at
all until Hwy 74, Palms to Pines, could recommend the trail that early
in the season through to there, its lovely.  Then at Hwy 74 took a few
zeros in Idyllwild, during which a major mid-April snow storm dumped
6-15 inches on the trail through the San Jacintos (and 6-10 inches in
Idyllwild itself).  The trail was still passable in deep snow
immediately thereafter (about April 15) from Hwy 74 to Devils Slide
Trail, but then I bailed out and didn't try Fuller Ridge.  

The PCT is currently closed due to the Mountain Fire from Hwy 74 north
to Strawberry Junction (28 miles worth), and from what I've read over
the past month, it may take until next spring or later for them to
re-open that section, apparently it is really trashed and dangerous, the
forest service evaluation team had to turn around because of the
conditions of the trail. Erosion from the fire has and will produce mud
slides and flooding that have and will obliterate the trail further. And
the article said that there would likely be a re-route along roads for
the spring, the trail would still not be open by then.

So you might just go from Mexico to Hwy 74, and plan to hike the San
Jacintos later in 2014.  From what I've read, planning a hike along the
PCT in the San Jacintos between Strawberry and Hwy 74 would be
impossible during the remainder of this year.  (I'm gong to make up the
missed Devils's Slide to I-10 part next month, October, by going through
Idyllwild, up Deer Springs Trail to Strawberry, and then PCT to I-10.)

Last year, San Bernardinos were snow-free by mid/late April, so jumping
from Hwy 74 up to Idyllwild, or jumping all the way up to I-10, and then
continuing north of I-10 might be another strategy.