Re: [pct-l] Lone Pine

[CharlieJones@aol.com]

<< At 5:33 AM -0800 2/24/2000, Sara Baggett wrote:
 <snip>
 
 >Because of the short hike out, the most attractive is the 2.1 mile hike 
down Trail Pass Trail to Horseshoe Meadows Road, and then a 23-mile hitch.  
Has anyone taken this route?  Was it difficult to get a ride?  Is this the 
better option?<
 
  >The alternatives are to hike out thru Cottonwood Pass or thru Whitney 
Portal, which seem to require lengthy hikes before a hitch into town is 
possible.  True?
 
Rich replied:
 
<< The hike is about 8 miles from Trail Pass at about 13,300' to the Portal 
at about 8800' with about 4500 feet of drop and gain on way back. There are 
those famous (infamous?)  99 boring switchbacks to go thru-- but the rest of 
the scenery is spectactular Sierra classic.  >>

Let's not confuse Trail Pass (10,500 feet) to Horseshoe Meadows (~ 10,000 
feet) with Trail Crest (13,777 feet) to Whitney Portal (~ 8,361 feet).

Yes, Sara, Trail Pass to Horseshoe Meadows is a better option as it is only 
2.1 miles and a 500-foot elevation loss to reach Horseshoe Meadows. It is a 
long hitch into Lone Pine, but there is a lot of traffic there. Don't try to 
walk and hitch; just wait patiently for a ride. 

Consider too, when you resupply and return to Horseshoe Meadows you only have 
a 500-foot gain to reach the PCT again (as opposed to a 5,000-foot gain from 
Whitney Portal to Trail Crest and you'll still be 7+ miles east of the PCT).


Cottonwood Pass brings you back to Horseshoe Meadows also, but with a steeper 
climb (and an extra mile or so) to the PCT after you resupply.

Charlie
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