[pct-l] dayhikes on the PCT

[David Hough reading PCT-L]

I have recently taken short dayhikes in sections J, P, Q, and R.
I didn't notice any hikers that I would identify as through hikers, though
some might have fooled me.

The J started from the Tamarack trailhead parking area off Blue Lakes Road,
in mid-June.     Going southbound, there were trees across the trail every
half mile or so, some of which might have been problematic for stock.
I was stopped by a tricky ice gully on the north side of Raymond Peak.
Some younger people crossed it carefully even as I watched, but it was no place
for wobbly elderly knees and ankles.     At least one person had either
fallen or glissaded all the way to the bottom.

Schaffer's book shows the former PCT route which dropped about 500' and
then climbed back up, presumably to avoid that problem.    I wasn't looking
carefully and didn't notice any sign of the former route.    There were also
indications that some people had hiked up and over to avoid the problem,
but it was a steep loose slope that was also unattractive to elderly ankles.

The next day I went toward The Nipple and made it up to the ridge viewpoint
just below it, around 8800'.   The wind was blowing significantly though
and taking all the pleasure out of an otherwise clear sunny day.    No
trees were down on this small part of the trail.

The next hikes were over July 4 weekend.

P started from Gumboot Trailhead and I went east (south) for about four
miles.   No tree problems on the trail here.

Q started from Etna Summit and went north for about four miles to a 
"campsite" in a saddle.   If one's only criterion were excellent views of
sunrise and sunset, it's outstanding, but pretty uncomfortable from pretty
much every other perspective.     There are better campsites in the woods
earlier where the ridge briefly broadens after entering the wilderness,
and again shortly thereafter by a register for comments.
The parking area at Etna Summit was pretty full.

While in the lot I overheard a conversation among hikers who had just completed
Q north to Grider Creek.     Once off the ridge and in the Grider Creek
drainage, the overgrown brush and
down timber were formidable and the trail elusive.     
I remember the trail being overgrown normally
when I did it southbound 15 years ago, 
but the current down timber reflects trail maintenance
deferred, probably until next year.     That other time I ended up camping
on an old logging road, halfway up the canyon.

R encompassed the trail from Wards Fork Gap to about half a mile west of
the road to Reeves Ranch Springs.     The trail here was in pretty good
shape, but the signs on the Forest Service access roads were not.
Considering it was July 4 weekend, there were very few other people out
and about.     But plenty of cows in some places.    There was plenty of
water near Bearground Springs.    The wildflowers were FANTASTIC.
In a normal year, through hikers probably miss the peak of the season.
In a normal year, there would be snow problems here and there in R,
but I encountered none.

There were lots of tourists from all over at Yreka, Weed, and Redding.
Persons serving the public were properly masked, but the public... not so
much.     I followed Bay Area rules and masked up indoors except while
actually eating and drinking.     I enjoyed the Paystreak in Etna - the Etna
Brewery seems to be closed for the duration - but most people were not masked.

Ignore any websites that indicate the Etna Brewery or Paystreak having
taprooms in Yreka.     Both have been closed for a while.
But while dining at the Black Bear, I discovered Fall River Hexagenia from
Redding, and made a point of visiting their taproom on my way home.