[pct-l] North from Seiad Valley

[Town Food]

I've hiked in that section twice, once while doing the PCT northbound in 
2016, and once doing just Ashland to Seiad Valley southbound in 2014. 
On the former, I went through it in early-mid August, and on the latter, 
in mid-June.  In mid-June, it got fairly cold at night.  I used a 32 
degree sleeping bag with a liner, and it wasn't enough to be 
comfortable.  In early August, the mosquitoes in the lake part of Oregon 
got pretty bad.

Both times, it was a fairly dry stretch, but with Halfmile's app and the 
water report it was not dangerous.  There was one point (mentioned 
later) where a user's comment in Guthook's app pointed out an 
otherwise-undocumented water source during a dry stretch where I would 
have gotten quite thirsty.

Of the two start dates I tried, I'd go with early August, since the 
nights were warmer, plus the water report would be more up-to-date due 
to it being Nobo PCT season in the area.  I'm not sure how the 
mosquitoes vary over the course of the year.  I can't speak to any other 
times of year, or any years other than the ones I hiked of course.

As for where to go from Seiad Valley, there are a few choices I can 
think of:

1. Crater Lake.  A scenic end, but sooner than you were looking for 
(somewhere around 180 miles).  Transportation would be very easy, as it 
is a major tourist destination.  When I walked across a crowded parking 
lot, people stopped me 3 times to ask if I was a real PCT hiker and if I 
needed anything.

2. Shelter Cove Resort.  At the short end of your request (about 250 
miles).  It's a moderately busy lakeside cabin rental area, with a 
general store.  I assume access is good, as there were plenty of 
drive-in tourists when I was there.  I remember long picnic tables full 
of PCT hikers feasting on Camp Store food when I was there.  I 
personally enjoyed a 1400 calorie bag of Chili Cheese Fritos, a fresh(?) 
tuna salad sandwich, an orange juice, a Strawberry Fanta, a Mello Yello, 
and a Coors Banquet.  Mmmmh hmmmm.

3. Elk Lake Resort is right in the middle (about 300 miles), but I 
haven't been there.

4. The Highway 242 crossing (about 330 miles from Seiad) is accessible 
if you can arrange a ride, but did not look busy when I passed through. 
Going this far would let you see Oregon's volcanic terrain in full 
effect (and would also make you feel its full effect on your feet).

5. Highway 20 at Santiam Pass would be at the upper end of your range 
(just under 350 miles).  It's a fairly busy, fast road, and there's a 
trailhead that sees some use on the north side of the road, with a 
parking lot.  Transportation is possible, hitchhiking is probably 
unreliable.

A few disconnected notes about this section:

- Whatever distance you do choose, I'd very highly recommend taking the 
Rim Trail Alternate at Crater Lake instead of the official PCT.  The 
alternate is very scenic, and the official route is not.  The alternate 
would likely be the official route if it could accommodate horses.  If 
you're not a horse, I say take the Rim Trail.

- I understand there are at least a couple fires affecting this section, 
though as I'm not hiking this year I haven't read much about them.  The 
High Cascades Complex fire affects 1827.4 to 1839.2, and will likely 
remain in effect "through a significant part of the 2018 season".  This 
would support a later start date.

- The section between Elk Lake and Highway 242 is currently closed due 
to fire.  It's unclear when it will open, but the PCTA note I read 
seemed to suggest that it might be open a few weeks after snow melt.

- There is a dry spot from 1982 to about 1999, according to most sources 
(including the PCT Water Report and most apps).  But, there is a pond 
uphill a couple hundred feet around mile 1990, which can be a lifesaver. 
  I think it's called Washington Pond.  It's much easier to find if 
you're using a GPS app that displays maps, like Guthook or OSMAnd, so 
you can walk towards the blue area.  The water is not pretty but it's 
the only choice in the area.

- A lot of people consider the Three Sisters section (around 1965 or so) 
to be one of Oregon's high points.  I didn't, but maybe that's because I 
kept thinking the South Sister looked like a pile of ice cream with 
brownie crumble and marshmallow sauce on top.

- As an alternative, you might want to consider going southbound, so the 
brutal, dry climb at the beginning coming out of Seiad becomes an 
exhilarating scenic descent down to a hike-concluding Seiad milkshake.

- Expect the Central Oregon miles to go faster than the miles near Seiad 
Valley and Ashland.  It's much flatter.

- All in all, I thought it was one of the more drab sections of the PCT, 
though collecting water at WA1661.9 (Lookout Spring) during sunset was 
high point for me: 
https://pct.marcusschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dsc03029.jpg

- CS1974 was another highlight of the section for me.  In the middle of 
a dry, inhospitable lava rock section, there's a small creek and grove 
of wiggle-trunked miniature trees.  It has an alien feel, like finding 
an oasis on Mars.

- And, of course, Crater Lake is extraordinary, but you can also just 
drive right up to the rim.

Good luck!

  -=Town Food

On 03/08/2018 03:09 PM, Rob at wildvagabond () wrote:
> 
> 
> Hello Sages of The PCT.I'm hiking sections and have now hiked from
> Kennedy Meadows (South) to Seiad Valley. Next up is Seiad to Ashland
> or thereabouts.  I'm 68, so huge miles are not going to happen. 
> Questions: 1.  What do you suggest as good stopping points about 250
> to 350 miles North of Seiad?  Good in terms of ease of access,
> ability to get back to Seiad, services. 2. Your guess as a reasonable
> start date, so I can start planning? 3.  What are the water and other
> challenges to anticipate?   I know there are elevation discrepancies,
> resulting in snow vs heat and other issues.  What is the best way to
> manage these issues?  That is, back to the start date and other
> suggestions. Thanks all. I am on the False Bravado, yet continue to
> find the most accurate and reasonable information on sites like this
> one.  Another example is information about the Grand Canyon - it's
> better on the yahoo groupo than the FB.  I suppose it's because
> "true" (dedicated) hikers find it more useful and therefore hang out
> here? Thanks for the updated town guide - fabulous. And for the
> suggestions about other sections I've hiked. Rob - Wild Vagabond 
> Wherever you go there you are!  Rob of the WV:
> http://wildernessvagabond.com 
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