[pct-l] Section hiking in the winter

[Brick Robbins]

2015-07-21 23:06 GMT-07:00 Gail Van Velzer <vanvelzer at charter.net>:
> There's plenty to also hike between Hwy. 10 and Soledad Cyn. Rd.  You have
> to bail out at Mission Creek anyway due to the fire closure.  Big Bear
> doesn't always have snow so you might get through there, but time will tell
> on that one.  Silverwood Creek to Swarthout Cyn. is also doable.
> Golly

Yes, absolutely, but no long stretches with easy road access. I
figured any chunk less that about 100 miles would not be worth it.

Also, remember that this winter is an El Nino winter, so the weather
will be much wetter than usual


>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brick Robbins" <brick at brickrobbins.com>
> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 8:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Section hiking in the winter
>
>
>> 2015-07-21 16:30 GMT-07:00 John Herrin <johndavidherrin at gmail.com>:
>>>
>>> So is it crazy to think about hiking NoBo from Campo to however far I can
>>> get in 45 days this coming Jan & Feb? Other ideas? Anyone want to come
>>> along?<
>>
>>
>> There are many parts of this section of trail that are doable in the
>> Winter, with a couple of provisions, especially the El Nino winter
>> that is coming.
>>
>> First off, some of the terrain is pretty high, like the Laguna
>> Mountains at around mile 40, and subject to some really severe weather
>> during storms, even if the snow doesn't stick there for long. If you
>> are willing to watch the weather, and bail to lower elevations and
>> shelter if a storm comes, you should be able to hike from the border
>> to HWY 74, (mile 150) without much problem.
>>
>> The area from Mt San Jacinto past Wrightwood contains many high areas
>> that hold snow, and those probably won't be hikeable in a typical
>> year.
>>
>> If you skip ahead from Hwy 74 to Soledad Mtn Road at mile 435, you
>> should be OK to Hwy 58, at mile 560, but I wouldn't brave the Piutes
>> in the winter due to their elevation, and the difficulty getting out
>> if the weather turns bad.
>>
>> That gives you 280 miles, which isn't much for 45 days, but I think
>> that is the best you can do, short of winter mountaineering.
>>
>> HYOH and YMMV
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>