[pct-l] Belden to Old Station

[Herb Stroh]

I don’t have current info, but for what is it worth, I hiked SB last year in mid/late June from Castle Crags to Chester. The Lassen section had snow, but it does not have steep passes with nerve-jangling traverses that would demand an ice axe. I didn't need traction devices, but of course way less snow last year. I think the main issue will be navigation. Even in last year's relatively light snow we had to hunt and peck for the trail for a few miles when the trail goes through a thick forest. I do recall a water crossing that was harder to do than it looked somewhere near Drakesbad.

By the way, if you can manage it in your schedule try to have a dinner or breakfast at Drakesbad. We had a fantastic breakfast out on the patio and they were very hiker friendly. You have to make reservations, which complicates the logistics, but if you stay in the campground just up the dirt road and shoot over to the resort you might be able to make the list. People were telling me for a 100 miles about how great the food was, and the resort did not disappoint. I think you can buy a shower there but it might be limited to certain times in the day. Really pretty place--I intend to go back there sometime and stay as a guest. Note, however there is no store to resupply from or buy snacks.

Herb

-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Susan Virnig
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2017 10:32 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Belden to Old Station

Does anyone know anything about the 90 miles of Section N from Belden to Old Station thru Lassen?  Elevation gets to 7000 at Frog Mountain Trail, then back to nearly 7200 at Butte Point Trail and then 7600 at Butt Mountain Trail.  Just talked to the Lassen Park ranger and he said there’s some snow on the PCT in the park but some hikers have already been through, and there’s not too many downed trees.  He doesn’t know anything about the rest of the trail.

I’m a section hiker who’s walked the PCT from Old Station to Manning Provincial Park and was hoping to get this section done next, starting on June 20, but don’t want to be foolish.  I’m taking a friend who’s done some other northern CA sections with me.  Should we be using micro-spikes on our trail runners?  Do we need ax ices?  Or should we just not do this section at this time?  (We can’t go later.)

—Susan from Spokane aka Sunshine 

  
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