[pct-l] Section hiking PCT - Crater Lake to Yosemite

[Jeffrey Olson]

As a section hiker I am concerned with "miles" but not to the extent 
that thrus are.  I don't know what kind of shape you're in, but 2 months 
on the trail will likely let you average 16 to 18 or so miles a day, 12 
at the beginning and 20 at the end.  Even in the heart of the Sierra, if 
you're in shape, you'll likely be able to climb and drop a pass a day, 
or more - 4000' plus.

The other part that section hikers luxuriate in is zeros.  Y ou don't 
have to be somewhere at some ephemeral date where snow is likely to end 
you're hike.  I hiked south from Manning in 2005, a high sierra snow 
year, and low snow year up north, and pretty much spent two nights a 
week in motels, with the day in between spent lying down and healing.  
Stehekin Ranch was my favorite.  The point is that you can take your 
time and if you want, enjoy trail towns, their motels and restaurants.

Crater Lake to Tuolomne Meadows is about 890 miles.  Say you take one 
zero (two nights in the same spot) a week, over 60 days you'll be hiking 
52 days.  52 into 890 is 17 miles a day or so.  That's doable - which 
for means for me, I feel like I'm centered in the trip, rather than 
heading for some eventual goal - the border. And if you begin in good 
shape, or are under 35, you'll likely start at more than 12 miles a 
day.  And you can leave the trail before or after Tuolomne.  It's an 
abstract, arbitrary goal.

If you hike any of this trip in August or September, you'll have to 
prepare for HEAT.  It's really not til you hit the Tahoe area that 
you'll be in the "high country" and be relieved from the 70 to 90 degree 
days.  California north of there can be an exercise in heat and sun 
management.  Water isn't an issue.  Carry an umbrella - there isn't much 
wind - and you'll be more comfortable.  That's not to say you won't 
spend time hunkered down in your tent for 24 to 36 hours in the rain.  
Expect at least one experience of a summer storm - not a thunderstorm, 
but a real front that takes its time moving through.  The thunderstorms 
tend to happen more in the Sierra south of Yosemite than north of 
there.  You can get the longer fronts from Lassen to Tahoe.

The major challenges will be heat and sun, with a sidebar of a 
surprising front that moves through.  The hikes out of the Klamath 
River, Sierra City and Belden are long and hot.  The rest is more 
momentary....

IMHO..

Jeff, Laramie, Wy


On 11/28/2016 6:22 PM, Kevin English wrote:
> ​Thanks Scott! By High Sierras do you think we could get all the way to
> Kennedy Meadows in that time frame? Because I would thinking we would exit
> in the north parth, somewhere around Bridgeport (I only mention that
> because I'm familiar with that area)
>
> Kevin
>
> On Tue, Nov 29, 2016 at 5:40 AM, Scott Williams <baidarker at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> You may still have some snow in early June, but that all depends on the
>> year.  In 2010 and 2011, the snows were still deep in the Cascades and
>> Sierra throughout June.   But during the 4 years of drought that followed,
>> early June was just fine  Some were hiking without trouble in May.  But in
>> general, June, July and August are great times to do this section,
>> certainly July and August for sure.  And you should be able to get further
>> than Yosemite in 2 months if you get your trail legs and go light.  So,
>> keep your eye on the weather and have a ball!  You may even end in the High
>> Sierra.  That would be really spectacular.  Crater Lake to the High Sierra
>> is a great section.
>>
>> Shroomer
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 27, 2016 at 7:55 PM, Kevin English <kenglish at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>   Hello,
>>>    I’m starting to make plans for the hiking a part of the PCT next summer.
>>> We (wife and I) want to start around Oregon Crater Lake heading south and
>>> finish somewhere near Yosemite, not sure if before or after Yosemite.
>>>    My questions for the list are the following:
>>>
>>>     -   What is good time start? We were thinking June, July or August with
>>>     more of preference for late-July/ early- August?
>>>     - Is 2 months enough to complete this section?
>>>     - Is there anything particularly challenging about this section as
>>>     opposed to other sections?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for any advice,
>>>
>>> Kevin
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