[pct-l] Cajon Pass to Agua Dulce as of 05/06/01 from the first through

[Donna Saufley" <dsaufley@sprynet.com (Donna Saufley)]

Updates from the first few thru hikers: Brent, Hirsch, Lucky Day, Ned =
Nederlander and Dusty Bottoms @ the Saufley's on 05/06/01.  Hope all of =
this helps.

Here is the update on the I 15 to Agua Dulce section through the San =
Gabriels:

Water:

The water report posted as of 05/05/01 (dated 05/16/00) is still =
accurate for this year at this point in time.  There is no water from =
Cajon Pass to the snow line on Lytle ridge so please be aware.  There is =
a lot of snow on the trail so you should be able to boil/melt snow for =
water.  There is water at Guffy Camp, no water at Grassy Hollow, and =
other wise you should probably fill up a full load of water at the  =
North Fork Ranger Station before you head into Maddox Canyon (water may =
be iffy where the trail crosses the creek bed).

Trail Conditions:

We did run into, ok-saw, a bear just outside of the McDonalds near Cajon =
Pass so be aware and start making noise.  Trail is clear until you hit =
the divide near Wrightwood.  On North facing slopes, you may encounter =
2-3' of snow.  You should be able to go through to the base of Baden =
Powell without any problems, but if you need to resupply in Wrightwood, =
do not rely on the Acorn Crest Trail-still very steep and snowy.  Do not =
attempt to go up Baden Powell unless you have full winter gear-cramps, =
ice axe, etc.  The best alternate is to stay on 2, but beware that with =
clean up efforts, it may be closed to foot traffic.  Mt. Williamson =
still has steep and icy patches on it (as of May 4th) but from there on =
out the trail is clear of snow.  There are some small downed trees, but =
should be passable for foot and most pack traffic.  Watch out for =
massive poison oak patches near Vasquez rocks but your trip into Agua =
Dulce will be clear and hot.

Happy Trails to you all,

Dusty and Brent

----- Original Message -----=20
From: Donna Saufley=20
To: Bighummel@aol.com ; pct-l@backcountry.net=20
Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2001 8:08 AM
Subject: San Gabriels


Greetings, Strider!

We just had the first three hikers break through on their northbound =
trek (Dusty Bottoms, Ned Nederlander, and Lucky Day).  San Jacintos have =
lots of snow, but are "doable".  Baden-Powell had too much snow to go =
over, so they went around on an alternate road (same miles, less snow). =
Highway 2 is still closed and deep in snow.  However, the good news is =
that they made it through.  If you want to stick to the trail, the ice =
ax and crampons will be a must, at least as of the time they passed =
through.  They're still here (but sleeping off last night's margaritas =
and birthday celebration, I suspect).  I'll have them respond to you to =
give you a more detailed update when they're up and about.

Thanks again for the wonderful time last weekend -- you did a =
spectacular job planning and officiating.  We were euphoric from seeing =
all of the hikers and getting a fix of trail talk. =20

-=3DDonna Saufley=3D-
Agua Dulce Hiker Heaven



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