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[pct-l] Mexico-to-Tehachapi Updates 2002 (Way Long)
- Subject: [pct-l] Mexico-to-Tehachapi Updates 2002 (Way Long)
- From: benschif@sonnet.com (Ben Schifrin)
- Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2002 10:08:10 -0800
Gang:
Here's the SoCal beta for 2002. It is in the format that I sent to
Wilderness Press, so it might be a bit confusing to some-- just email
me or call, and I'll answer individual questions. I can also get you
copies of some of the more significant map changes, for those who are
desperate. I can also send this as a Word document, if you prefer.
In answer to the 3 most common questions & requests:
1) Yes, I have now added the alternate route across Antelope Valley
via Fairomont Reservoir. But, I still say, unless you want a
Mad-Monte nostalgia experience, take the permanent route.
2) No the Saufleys ARE NOT in the book. They don't want to be. I've
lined-through all references to them. They're still on the list, and
still the Hostes-with-the-Mostes in Agua Dulce.
3) No, we didn't leave out all of the geology, biology, history or
personal editorial content. We know you want a lean, mean,
hikin'-machine guidebook, but we hike because we like all that other
foo-foo stuff, too.
Have fun out there, be safe, and look for my beer stashes.
Call if you need resupply help around Sonora Pass-- we love to stuff
steak and potatos into stinky brown thru-hikers!
Pacific Crest Trail Volume 1(South)
Updates 2002
Ben Schifrin 209 586-5767
P 10, Post Offices:
Mount Laguna Zip code should be, 91948.
P 15, Land Use Regulations: Day-hikers and section-hikers, but not
through-hikers, will be affected by an experimental National Forest
Adventure Pass system now in effect for all parked cars within
southern California's national forests. This pass is required for all
vehicles, while parked along any road or even at a designated
trailhead, in Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino
National Forests. It is not required for PCT travelers, per se. Cost
is $5 per visit to one forest, or $30 per year (good for all four
forests). Plans are to return 85% of collected monies to the
individual forest for human-use enhancing projects. Passes can be
purchased from the USFS, from southern California outdoor shops and
multiple vendors near or in the forests.
P 16, Par 5: Note that, even with a campfire permit, open fires are
NOT ALLOWED at any site outside of a designated campground in the
Angeles National Forest, due to the extreme fire danger. This is a
compelling reason for all hikers to carry a gas stove throughout
their trip.
P18, Federal Government Agencies: add:
1. Hauser Wilderness
Contact Cleveland National Forest
2. Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness
Contact BLM, El Centro
3. Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
Contact BLM Palm Springs South Coast Field Office
690 Garnet Ave, P.O. Box 1260
Palm Springs, CA 92258
(760) 251-4800
4. San Gorgonio Wilderness
Contact: San Bernardino National Forest and BLM Palm Springs
P44, Section Map:
Add Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness boundary in A7-A8 area.
P 45, Introduction, Line 1: (Omit and substitute): This southernmost
section of the PCT is among the most varied of all. It walks a fine
line between scorching desert and dense, rolling brushlands,
occasionally in a ribbon of fine mid-mountain forest.
P 46, Supplies, Line 2: Campo now also has a ranch supply store, with
most equestrian needs. A PCT Association trail register is kept at
the post office. Cameron Corners, one mile north of Campo on Highway
94, has a hot dog stand, a convenience store and a branch of Wells
=46argo Bank.
P 46, Supplies, Line 5: In greater detail, as of June 2001, in-bound
airline passengers reach the PCT's southern terminus via the
following transport links: Take bus Route 992 from the San Diego
Airport to downtown San Diego
(http://www.sandag.cog.ca.us/sdmts/992.htm). Then, take the "Orange
Line" trolley from downtown to the El Cajon Transit Center
(http://www.sandag.cog.ca.us/sdmts/trolleymap.htm). The "Southeastern
Rural Route bus" leaves from the El Cajon Transit Center to Campo
(http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/cts/rural/index.html). This bus
departs El Cajon only once per day, at 3:04 PM and arrives in Campo
about 5 PM.
P46, Supplies, Line 8: As of 2001, Mount Laguna Post Office had no
morning service, except on Saturday.
P 46, Supplies, Last Line: Now a small private spa, Warner Springs
Ranch boasts a fine restaurant, restful bungalows, invigorating
massage and hot-spring soaks. Golf, tennis, horseback riding and
glider rides round out the experience. Contact the resort in advance:
31652 Highway 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086. Phone (760) 782-4200.
Internet: www.warnersprings.com.
Warner Springs also =8A
P 47, Rattlesnakes, Line 3: Indeed, most through-hikers will have 5-6
encounters with these common reptiles, by the time they reach the
High Sierra! Even so, the author knows of only one PCT hiker who was
ever bitten.
P48, Col 1, Line 19: Fifty feet south of the border monument, another
dirt road has been bulldozed, parallel to the border. Its southern
verge, the border itself, is protected from the Mexican Hordes by a
4-to-6-foot-high fence of metal runway repair panels, painted
olive-green. Reach across it for a feel of tierra mexicana, and then
return to the knoll for photos.
P48, Col 2, Par 2, Line 19: A 2000 acre fire that started near Tecate
in November 1995 burned eastward across the PCT's route from near the
border, and north past Castle Rock Ranch. It is an early reminder of
the flammability of the Southern California landscape, and just one
of many "burns" crossed by the PCT. Please be fire-safe! Thankfully,
trail tread is still easily visible.
P49, Col 1, Par 2, Line 4: =8Aand ranch supply store lay=8A
P 50, Col 2, Line 8: =8A at a trailhead parking area. Just north is the
entrance to John Lyons-Lake Morena Regional Park.
P 51, Col 1, Par 2, Line 9: =8A on trail that is often confused by a
welter of use-paths. PCT Association volunteers have installed signs,
so hopefully, the route is now more certain. Ignore intersecting
paths made by local homeowners, which cross the PCT for lake access.
Stay essentially level, and don't head away from the shoreline until
PCT emblems mark the way.
P 52, Map A3: Change name "Lake Morena County Park" to, "John
Lyons-Lake Morena Regional Park".
P 53, Col 2, Par 1, Line 3: =8A the southern verge of the grassy plain
of Cottonwood Valley (3150-0.3), where well-signed PCT tread resumes,
leading east. The Boulder Oaks Store used to stand at this
intersection, and was the object of a pitched legal land-use battle
for the entire past history of the PCT. A now-victorious Forest
Service has erased its last vestiges.
P 54, Map A5: Omit all buildings at Boulder Oaks.
P 56-57: Maps A7 & A8: Add Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness boundary, as
drawn. Add "Sierra Club Foster Lodge" (renamed from, Guymon Lodge).
Also rename Laguna Campground as, "Laguna/El Prado Campground". Also
add new trail to water source at GATR Road (not on current map).
P 57, Col 2, Par 1, Line 2: =8ALaguna Mountains. The 35,080-acre
Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness, designated in 1994, lies east of and
below the PCT from here north, as it courses around Stephenson Peak,
Monument Peak and Garnet Peak. It was designed to protect the rugged
canyons, which descend to meet the Vallecito Valley.
P 57, Col 2, Par 2, Last line: =8ANetwork Station, now a Federal
Aviation Administration navigation control site.
P 58, Col 2, Par 1, Line 3: =8A Laguna/El Prado Campground. (Omit
remainder of paragraph).
P 58, Col 2, Last line: substitute: =8Aclosed GATR Road (5440-0.9), on
cooler forested land. This intersection is now trail, and marks an
important detour to water.
****************************************************************************=
****************
Water Access: Just beyond a pipe swing-gate, there is now an unmarked
trail junction, where the roadbed used to be. Continuing
straight-ahead, northwest, a spur trail curves gently down and west,
then momentarily south, to reach Sunrise Highway S1 in less than 0.1
mile. Here, a monument to the Penny Pines reforestation program
stands beside a busy trailhead parking area. Directly across 2-lane
Highway S1 is the start of Noble Canyon Trail 5E04, which strikes
west-southwest only 50 yards to find a permanent water supply. Here
lie a green faucet and a galvanized horse trough, in an open stand of
black oaks. This level flat is quite hospitable, but, unfortunately,
no camping is allowed in this vicinity. A moment farther on is found
a junction with the southbound Big Laguna Trail, which heads back to
Mount Laguna in about 3 miles.
This is the last certain water source close to your route
until Cuyamaca Reservoir, 12.5 miles farther along the PCT and then
1.7 miles along a lateral. Closer but less certain water may be had
during late spring and summer at Pioneer Mail Trailhead Picnic Area,
in 3.9 miles. Possibly more convenient to some northbound travelers
are the year-round springs in Chariot Canyon, a 1.8 mile detour from
the PCT in 14.9 miles, or the well on Rodriguez Spur Truck Trail, a
1.3-mile detour from your path in 19.8 miles.
****************************************************************************=
****************
North across the closed fire road, the PCT swings right, north, then
ascends gently east,=8A
Page 59, Col 2, Line 9: Insert asterisks and Water Access:
Page 59, Col 2, Last Line: Insert and omit next sentence: A 4-foot
diameter concrete water trough is fed by the tank. Contact Cleveland
National Forest's Descanso Ranger District before leaving Mount
Laguna, for the tank's status. Alternatively, contact the PCT
Association at: (telephone): 888 PC-TRAIL or, (internet): www.
pcta.org.
Page 60, End of first paragraph: Insert asterisks for end of water
access section.
Page 60, Col 2, Par 2, end of last line: ADZPCTKOP volunteers have
established a springtime water cache in this area-look for blazes and
water jugs beside the trail. Take only what you need, and don't count
on these supplies!
Page 61, Col. 2, Par. 1, Line 8: If the spigot is locked, look 10
feet uphill, in a grove of Coulter pines: the large cistern has an
unlocked metal access plate.
Page 62, Map A10: Note, "water tank" on map.
P 64, Col 1, Par 2, next-to-last line: =8Areliable water is at GATR Road, 14=
=2E9=8A
P. 65, Col 2, end of Par 2: (Water Access): A number of selfless
volunteers have stepped in to help with the already-dicey water
availability problem around the San Felipe Hills. Members of the San
Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club, the PCT Association, and ADZPCTKOP
have repeatedly placed water bottles at Scissors Crossing, and in the
San Felipe Hills themselves, for the last 3 hiking seasons. Current
plans call for the same effort in late April of each year. However,
this gracious act must not be counted-on, at one's peril! The best
way to monitor the water situation here, as well as throughout
southern California, is to subscribe to the outstanding Internet mail
list, "PCT-L". To join the verbal give-and-take, and to read about
the most up-to-date trail conditions, send an email to, "
pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net", with no subject, and a message that
reads, "subscribe pct-l [your email address]".
An alternative way to water from the Scissors Crossing environs would
be to hop on a bus, retreating west up to the cool green haven of
Julian. (See "Supplies", page 46). A San Diego County bus stops at
Scissors Crossing each morning at about 8:30 AM, and returns by 5:30
PM. Contact San Diego County for an up-to-date schedule.
Page 67, Col 1, Last Line: Here, members of the PCT Section of the
San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club established an emergency water
cache for PCT thru-hikers. It consists of gallon jugs of water
secured by a nylon cord. This cache was initially stocked with 55
gallons of water and will be replenished on a calendar basis
throughout the spring peak hiking season, since the volunteers have
no way of knowing when all the jugs have been emptied. Please limit
individual use to 2 liters of water. Some later hikers may find the
jugs empty when they arrive.
Should a desperate hiker find that the water bottles are empty, there
is off-trail water in Grapevine Canyon at the W-Bar-W Ranch and
Grapevine Spring. To reach it, follow the obvious jeep spur trail
leading right, east, down into Grapevine Canyon. Walk about 0.9 miles
east to a tall, square fence post by a jeep road. Follow the jeep
road to your left until you pass through a wide gate (10-feet or so).
=46ollow the fence line to your left to reach the caretaker's house. A
phalanx of barking dogs will let your presence be known. The
caretaker, if in residence, will probably come out to meet you. Both
the owner (Richard) and the caretaker (David) are supporters of the
PCT and have given their permission for hikers to come on to their
private property for water. Hikers should return to the PCT to camp
unless specifically invited by the owner or caretaker to camp in
Grapevine Canyon.
P 69. Col 1, Par 3: See omissions.
P 69, Col 2, Line 5: (See omissions). Thanks to the efforts of PCT
Association volunteers, trail tread is now well defined and well
posted from here to San Ysidro Creek. Follow the undulating path
almost due north across the meadow, passing some well-trod cattle
tracks to angle into the shallow mouth of sandy San Ysidro Creek's
chaparral-clad valley. Along the way, you'll pass below a trickling
hillside spring seep where cattle often congregate. Later, sweeping
levelly close alongside that stream's east bank in a grove of live
oaks, you will see an eight-foot diameter concrete cattle trough at a
well, just below. The=8A
P 69, Col 2, 10th Line from bottom: see omissions
P 70, Col 1, Line 11: Omit sentence
P 72: Section B orientation map: Add the boundary of the new Santa
Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
P 73, last line: Section B now also traverses the new crown jewel of
the Peninsular Ranges: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National
Monument, created in October, 2000 to protect 272,000 acres of
mountains along the vast eastern sweep of those ranges, stretching
from the Anza Borrego Desert State Park boundary on the south, the
San Gorgonio Pass on the north. It is hoped that national designation
will give added protection to the natural, historical and cultural
resources found along this rugged mountain crest, and help to
coordinate the efforts of the diverse agencies that share
jurisdiction over the varied landscape.
P 74, Supplies: Warner Springs Ranch is the "town" at the start of
Section B. It is a 2,500-acre private family resort centered on a
natural hot spring. Established by John Warner in 1844 on the site of
a Cupe=F1o Indian village, the Ranch became an important stop for the
historic Butterfield Overland Stage. Subsequent visitors have
included a large roster of presidents and Hollywood notables.
Nowadays, Warner Springs Ranch has a few simple inexpensive rooms for
hikers, as well as plusher accommodations. The Warner Springs Golf
Grill is a delightful place to cool off and dine. It is located just
south of the gas station, which, in turn, is next to the post office.
Pay phones are available. The gas station has limited snack foods.
Golf and glider rides are available indulgences. The Ranch is small
and popular, especially in springtime. Hikers desiring any services
would be wise to make reservations well in advance:
Warner Springs Ranch
P.O. Box 399
Warner Springs, CA 92086
Tel: (760) 782-4255
=46ax: (760) 782-4284
Email: spa@ranchspa.com
P 74, Supplies, line 5: The old Valley Store, in Terwilliger, was a
beacon for a whole generation of PCT hikers. Unfortunately, it has
now closed. Instead, use Kamp Anza Kampground, as described on page
83, column 2. The owners are amazingly hospitable to PCT hikers and
equestrians. They will hold packages for through-hikers. Send them to:
c/o Your Name
Kamp Anza Kampground
41560 Terwilliger Road
Space 19
Anza CA 92539
Phone: (909) 763-4819
They also have a web site: http://www.jps.net/thebear1/, and can be
contacted by email at: thebear1@jps.net.
P 74, Supplies, Par 1, Last Line: PCT travelers are welcome at the
San Jacinto Wilderness State Park's "Hike and Bike" campsite in
Idyllwild, near the ranger station. It is just a minute from
downtown. Phone (909) 659-2607.
P 75, Supplies, Par 2, Line 7: Near Hadley's is a truly enormous
outlet mall, affording the hiker with money to burn the chance to
purchase the latest in hikers' couture, sports shoes and electronic
gadgetry, or to refuel at some nice chain restaurants.
P 75, Permits, Last Line: No dogs or fires are ever allowed within
the State Park.
P 78, Col 1, Par 2: Water Access: delete as noted.
Page 78, Col 1, Par 3, Line 3:
****************************************************************************=
****************
Water Access: From here, Lost Valley Road descends north 0.2 mile to
reach Lost Valley Spring. The spring has been rehabilitated, and has
flow well into all but the driest summers. Small campsites are
available, but of poor quality.
****************************************************************************=
****************
=46rom this junction, the PCT climbs northeast above the spring along a
0.3-mile spur- =8A
P 78, Col 2, Par 2: Water Access, Line 5: A sign on the tank in 1999
gave permission from its owners to take some water without first
asking at the house, below. Be sure to close the valve!
P 81, Col 1, Water Access, Line 6 from bottom: Insert paragraph, as indicate=
d.
P 83, Col 1, par 2: omit as noted.
P 84, Col 1, Par 3, last line: northwest.
P 85- 94: Maps B-6 through B-11: add name and boundary for Santa Rosa
and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
P 86, Map B8: Add trail from Spitler Saddle to Apple Cyn Rd. Also,
change name, "Southwell Peak" to, "South Peak".
P 87, Map B7: Omit trail drawn from Cedar Spring west to PCT, and
from PCT to Eagle Spring, and from Cedar Spring north to 4E04. Also,
add trail from Spitler Saddle to Apple Cyn Rd, and new alignment of
=46obes Ranch Trail.
P 88, Col 1, Par 1, end: Here, too, we meet the boundary with the
brand-new, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument,
whose western edge is defined by the crest of the Desert Divide. We
will pop into and out of this new reserve, all of the way until we
descend into San Gorgonio Pass, at the end of Section B.
P88, Col 1, Par 4, Line 7: Expect to cross a few bulldozed jeep roads
on this traverse-the area south of Lion Peak is private property,
used for cattle range.
P 88, Col 2, Par 1, Line 3: insert:
****************************************************************************=
***************
Water Access: Most hikers will ignore the southern branch of this
good trail, which switchbacks southwest to Morris Ranch Road.
Instead, head north a short mile down to delightfully shaded flats
and clear water at Cedar Spring Camp (6330')-- the only permanent
water along the southern Desert Divide. This is your best choice for
a first night's camp in the San Jacintos. The next morning, simply
retrace your steps to the PCT. Old trails that could reconnect hikers
with the PCT via Lion Spring or Garnet Ridge have fallen into
disrepair after brushfires in the 1980s, and are not recommended. Be
sure to carry a full load of water away from Cedar Spring-the day's
ridge-top walk is hot, sunny and entirely waterless.
****************************************************************************=
****************
P 88, Col 2, Par 3, Line 3: omit as indicated.
P 88, Col 2, Par 4, Line 11: omit as indicated.
P 89, Col 1, Line 13: insert:
****************************************************************************=
****************
Water Access:
P 89, Col 1, Par 1, Last Line: insert:
****************************************************************************=
****************
P 89, col 1, Last Line: Park
P 89, Col 2, Par 1, Line 9: This same shade, however, often creates
dangerously icy conditions for springtime PCT through-hikers-use
caution and an ice axe!
P 89, Col 2, Par 1, 4th line from end: South Peak.
P 89, Col 2, Par 2, line 1: South Peak.
P 90, Col 1, par 1, Line 5: Little Tahquitz Trail
P 90, Col 1, par 1, Line 6: insert:
****************************************************************************=
****************
Water Access:
P 90, Col 2, 2nd to last line: , the Willow Creek Trail branching
northeast to Long Valley, and the Caramba Trail heading southeast,
back to Tahquitz Valley.
P 91, Col 1, Par 2, Last line: Please note that all camping within
the State Park must be in designated sites only. Along the PCT, there
is only one approved campsite: at Strawberry Junction Trail Camp.
USFS Wilderness Permits are NOT valid for camping in the State Park.
You must get a separate camping permit for a specific date, to use
State Park campsites. No dogs or fires are ever allowed within the
State Park.
P91 Col 1, Par 4, Line 9: Deer Springs Trail
P91 Col 1, Par 4, Line 11: Strawberry Junction Trail Camp
P91 Col 1, Par 5, Line 2: Deer Springs Trail
P91 Col 1, Par 5, Line 6: Deer Springs Trail
P 91, Col 2, Par 4, Line 3: =8A, also called the Deer Springs Trail, =8A
P 91, Col 2, Par 5, Line 6 from bottom: It can also be as treacherous
as it is tortuous, when shaded early-spring snow patches are
icy-hard. Poles or an ice axe are often required for safe footing.
P 93, Col 2, Par 3, Line 18: A 3-foot tall concrete water fountain
stands at the trail junction. This permanent water source is a
welcome respite after the usually baking-hot descent. (Omit rest of
paragraph, as indicated).
P 94, col 1, Line 3: omit as indicated
P 95, Col 2, Par 2: Replace first three sentences with: Eventually
metal posts indicate a bend northwest in the route to soon cross a
sandy dirt road (1265-0.7). Now you hike left, northwest, slowly
diverging from the road to hike atop a 20-foot high alluvial bank
where the busy Southern Pacific Railroad parallels our route, just to
our north. Shortly, you drop off the north side of the alluvial bank,
heading towards a tangle of roads at the mouth of Stubbe Canyon Creek
(1320-0.7), which you were able to see from atop the rise.
P 95, Col 2, Par 2, Last Line: Passing under these bridges also
finally leads us out of Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National
Monument.
P 96, Section C Map: Add new San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary.
P 97, Introduction, Par 2, 2nd to last line: =8Ahighest elevations of the=8A
P 98, Points on Route: add 0.2 mile to the 1.5 distance between
Mojave River Forks Reservoir Dam and Hwy 173 (total 1.7), and adjust
all other distances accordingly.
P 98, Supplies, last line: a post office, market and a smattering of
motels. It also boasts a few nice restaurants, including the quirky
Wheel Inn, complete with life-sized concrete dinosaur statues, and
Hadley's: famous for their date milk shakes and mind-boggling array
of dried fruits. Cabazon is now home to an enormous designer outlet
mall, where almost any conceivable need for clothing, shoes,
electronics or sporting goods can be fulfilled.
P 99, Services, Line 5: Fully 10 miles west of West Palm Springs
Village on Interstate 10 is Banning, which has even more complete
services than Cabazon.
P 99, Supplies, Par 2, Line 10: Access to Cedar Glen, on the east
shore of Lake Arrowhead, is facilitated by a very popular hikers'
access at Hook Creek roadend-getting a ride is usually very easy.
That road leads up to the convenient Cedar Glen Post Office and
nearby supermarket, restaurants, shops and motels.
Upon descending Deep Creek to Mojave River Forks Reservoir, about 103
miles into this section, walkers may opt to head for the desert
community of Hesperia. Arrowhead Lake Road leads north 2.8 miles to
Hesperia Lake Park, a delightful enclave with lawn-cushioned camping
under deep shade, fishing in a small lake, and a small mini-mart.
Downtown Hesperia lies about 3 miles farther, with all modern
amenities.
Crestline, a mountain village similar to Cedar Glen, =8A
P 99, Par 3: Supplies, Par 3, Line 3: There, hikers will find all the
trappings of modern civilization. Tiffany's Restaurant, the old
landmark of the Route 138 cloverleaf, is now closed. However, the
junction now sports 3 gas stations, 3 well-stocked mini-marts and a
pleasant motel. Also sited there are two of the objects of many
hikers' fantasies: a Del Taco restaurant and the inexplicably
ever-popular McDonald's. Undoubtedly, an art museum, opera house and
a university are not far behind!
The owners of the motel, the ECONOmy Inn, located just west of the
overpass, have agreed to hold supply boxes for hikers who will rent a
room for at least one night. This is an excellent option, because
camping nearby is generally terrible, and, besides, they have a
swimming pool and a hot tub! Resupply here allows one to avoid the
lengthy descent to Wrightwood. For details, contact:
ECONOmy Inn
8317 U. S. Hwy 138
Phelan, CA 92371
Telephone: (760) 249-6777
Manager: Mr. Vinod Somani
=46rom the Cajon Junction overpass, =8A
P 100, Par 4, Line 5: This is because most nymphal ticks feed on
Western Fence Lizards, the commonest "blue-belly" lizard of the
southern California chaparral and mid-elevations of the Sierra range.
The fence lizards' immune systems clear the Lyme disease parasites
from the ticks. In any event, it is almost impossible for the tick to
transmit the Lyme parasite to humans unless the tick has been
embedded for more than 24 hours-a rare occasion, indeed. Hence,
prevention is possible by checking carefully for ticks once or twice
daily. Lyme disease=8A
P 100, Par 5, last line: "Spotless" forms of the fever are also
occasionally contracted. They are difficult to diagnose, but the
history of a prolonged tick-bite will help steep the doctor toward
the correct diagnosis.
P 100, Par 6, last Line: It rarely affects adults, and is almost
never seen outside of the Pacific Northwest.
P 101, Map C1: add new San Gorgonio Wilderness (BLM) boundary.
P 102, Col 2, Par 2, Line 3: Second sentence: Replace with: Later,
you come back alongside the main ravine and momentarily cross a rough
jeep road (2470-0.5), then continue hiking uphill, just above the
right-hand edge of the road. After some 60 yards you drop back to the
dirt road, hike briefly up it, and then rejoin trail tread, departing
from the left-hand edge of the road. Now inside BLM jurisdiction and
the expanded San Gorgonio Wilderness=8A
P 102, Col 2, Par 2, Line 5: Omit and modify as noted.
P 102, Col 2, Par 2, Line 21: This pass is now the approximate
southern boundary of the expanded San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, which
the PCT will climb through, until the head of North Fork Mission
Creek.
P 103, Col 1, Par 2, Last Line: Hikers should ignore a beckoning
oasis of trees and lush mowed grass, just across the Whitewater
River, to the east. This is the private Whitewater Trout Farm, where
hikers have been consistently unwelcome for many years. Please avoid
this private property and camp west of the river.
P 104, Map C2: add new boundary of San Gorgonio Wilderness Area.
P 104, Col 1, Line 3, end: One species that hikers thankfully won't
have to see anymore are cattle--Mission Creek Ranch, which owns land
traversed by the PCT, alternating in a checkerboard fashion with BLM,
has now been purchased by the Wildlands Conservancy. All cattle
grazing has been eliminated from the area, which should make
campsites and water much cleaner. The bad news, for some, is that,
since the area is now being managed with a more-aggressive
pure-wilderness ethic, the once-popular "Hiker Haven", a private
wilderness hostel in upper South Fork Mission Creek canyon, has been
dismantled. There are numerous other, more primitive options for
camping, anywhere along the lower reaches of Mission Creek, however.
P 104, Col 1, Par 2, Line 12: New trail construction above 5500' in
North Fork Mission Creek now carries the trail up into a northern
side-canyon (in the NW corner of Map C3), before traversing to the
pleasant creekside camp (6110-3.1).
P 104, Col 2, Par 2, Line 4, Sentence 2: Substitute: Eventually, the
trail crosses to the south side of Mission Creek, where you will
definitely want to tank up, since there might not be water at Mission
Creek Trail Camp. After hiking on the south side of the creek for a
ways, the trail recrosses to the north bank, where you are faced with
some brief rollercoaster ascents and descents. Trail tread ends at a
rough jeep road (7850-4.0) built to log the forested flats south of
Mission Creek. Follow its overgrown tracks west up along willowy
creekside meadows to meet gravel road 1N93 (7965- 0.3) at a PCT
marker.
P 106, Map C4: add new San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary.
P 110: Map C7: Paul: The road identified on the maps as 3N08 has been
redesignated as 3N16.
P 112, Col 1, Line 1: Doble Road 3N16.
P 113, Map C8: Change Road numbers to 3N16, as indicated. Note,
however, that the designation, 3N08, on the road near Hitchcock
Spring, on the northwest corner of Map C8, is correct.
P 114, Map C10: insert "Bench Camp" as indicated.
P 116, Col 1, Par 1, Line 9: Most of the alders hereabouts were
spared, but the surrounding hillsides are charred by the massive and
devastating Willow Fire, which began August 28, 1999. The PCT from
this point, all of the way down Holcomb Creek and Deep Creek, to
Mojave River Forks Reservoir dam, was blackened by that blaze,
started by a thoughtless camper. Much of the streamside vegetation is
living, but beware of blow-downs and falling limbs. Pushing on,=8A
P 116, Col 2, Par 1, Last Line: =8A, thankfully unburned.
A few minutes later, our side-hill traverse passes the
now-enormously-rutted Crab Flats Trail, which has been heavily abused
by motocross riders. Nearing the alder-and-cedar-shaded banks of
Holcomb Creek once again, we pass less-appealing, signed Bench Camp,
and then a few nice ersatz campsites. Soon afterward, the trail
ascends onto burned-almost-bare hillsides.
P 116, Col 2, Par 2, last Line: Note that all of Deep Creek is a Wild
Trout Area, with 2-fish daily limit, minimum 8 inches each, no bait
allowed and barbless hooks required.
P 116, Col 2, par 3, Line 4: The very busy trailhead, called,
"Splinters Cabin", has toilets, tables and a shady ramada-a perfect
lunch-spot while waiting for a ride up to Lake Arrowhead. Hook Creek
Road =8A.
P 116, Col 2, Par 4, Line 3: Unfortunately, the Willow fire
thoroughly scorched Deep Creek in 1999, and you can expect the entire
gorge to be shadeless.
P 117, Map C11: mark "Splinters Cabin Trailhead", and redraw Hook
Creek Road 2N26Y as paved to Hooks Creek ford. Also remark Bacon
=46lats Rd as "3N34D" and mark Devil's Hole.
P 117, Col 1, Last Line: =8ABacon Flats Road 3N34D (4255-2.6), just
above the popular Devil's Hole fishing area. It offers=8A
P 118, Col 1, Line 2: omit as indicated.
P 118, Col 1, par 2, Last Line: Be advised that camping is not
allowed in this area, and rangers patrol the trail frequently.
P 118, Col 2, Par 1, Last Line: standing in the maw of the spillway,
we find a small exhibit that describes efforts to save the endangered
arroyo southwestern toad. Fair camping exists below the dam's
spillway, in groves of willow and cottonwood beside a pooling oxbow
in Deep Creek. Pick your campsite with care, since 2-, 3- and
4-wheeled off road vehicles can be anywhere. This is the vicinity of
an old Mojave Indian village called, "Atongai". It was visited by
Padre Garces, a member of de Anza's expeditions, in 1776. A mission
was built hereabouts in 1819. Rallying, perhaps to save the arroyo
southwestern toad, the indigenous tribes massacred the missionaries a
few years later. Their efforts against the Army Corps of Engineers
were apparently less successful.
P 118, Col 2, Resupply: omit as indicated
P 118, Col 2, Last Par: Omit and substitute: The next morning, rejoin
the PCT atop the dam. The designated PCT route from this point
actually drops southwest back to the foot of the dam, on flats beside
Deep Creek, but an overgrowth of brush, fields of nettle and foxtails
and a welter of dirt-bike paths have essentially obliterated the way.
Instead, cross the spillway, then turn up to the crest of the dam at
a paved spur. Now proceed left, in a westward arc across the top of
the boulder-faced dam, treading a one-lane paved road. The dam ends
on the eastern shoulder of Hill 3353 at a road junction (3170-0.6),
close beside a small concrete building with a tall radio mast.
****************************************************************************=
****************
Resupply Access: Hesperia can be reached from this point. Continue
walking westerly on the paved road, swinging north around Hill 3353,
then across the top of another dam segment, eventually reaching busy,
2-lane paved Arrowhead Lake Road (0.7). Now walk right, north, gently
down past increasing numbers of homes, about 6 miles to downtown
Hesperia. Hesperia Lake Park is found on the right, in just 2.8
miles, offering cool, shady camping beside a small lake, with
showers, phones and a small convenience store. Contact Hesperia
Recreation and Parks District, 7500 Arrowhead Lake Road, Hesperia CA
92340, or call (619) 244-5951 for more information.
****************************************************************************=
****************
=46rom the western end of Mojave River Forks Dam, the PCT turns left,
southeast from atop the dam's paved road, dropping moderately down a
gravel road that traces the edge of the dam's face. This road
services a paralleling row of 4-to-5-foot-high white and black posts
which mark theoretical depths of the reservoir, after some future
biblical rainfall. At the base of the dam, a 10-foot tall white metal
depth-marker (3000-0.2) indicates the point where the
now-more-visible original PCT route joins levelly from the left,
east. We turn right, southwest, on the sandy trail, and in just a
moment plunge through a phalanx of willows to a usually shallow but
wide and rocky ford (2295-0.1) to the south side of Deep Creek. Now
scramble up a sandy bank to a low alluvial terrace, just west of the
mouth of a small, rocky canyon. Here the trail-an old jeep
track-becomes more distinct. Trace it west above=8A
P 119, Col 1, Par 2, Line 9: paved road (3010-0.4)
P. 120, Col 1, Line 2 from bottom: =8A you come to a flat area where an
ascending jeep road from Highway l73 seems to terminate upon reaching
the PCT (3480- 2.6).
P 123, Map C16: The black trail line has a registration problem: it
was printed about one twelfth of an inch too low.
P 124, Col 2, Par 2, Line 7: Another fire has charred this area. It
did not affect navigation, but certainly adds to the feeling of
desolation.
P 125, Col 2: Resupply access, Line 8: =8AChevron gas station with a
large convenience market, and a McDonald's restaurant.
P 125, Col 2, Last Line: =8A are two more gas stations, another
mini-mart, a Del Taco restaurant, and the ECONOmy Inn motel, as
described in the introduction.
P 128: Points on Route: add 1.1 mile to distance between Cooper
Canyon Trail Camp and Three Points, and adjust all other mileages
accordingly.
P 128: Points on Route: add 1.2 mile to distance between Antelope
Valley Freeway and Vasquez Rocks, and adjust all other mileages
accordingly.
P 128: Supplies, Line 1: At the Start of Section D, minimal supplies
can be purchased at either of two convenience stores=8A
P 128, Supplies, Last Line: =8A, or by hitch-hiking east on busy
Angeles Crest Highway 2, 27.2 miles from the start of this section.
=46rom Wrightwood, inexpensive public busses leave four times daily to
Victorville. This large, sprawling Mojave Desert community has none
of Wrightwood's charm or cool temperatures, but it does afford many
more conveniences.
P 129, Supplies: Line 6: =8Ahas a small convenience store, but, as of
2001, has neither a full grocery store nor a post office (the closest
is in Acton). It also boasts three great restaurants, a hardware
store and feed store, a veterinarian and a hair salon. This area may
also have the largest concentration of dedicated "trail angels"
anywhere along the length of the PCT. ***Omit next section on
Saufleys:***These include Donna and Jeff Saufley. Their "Hiker
Heaven", just 0.9 mile from the center of Agua Dulce, affords
through-hikers with all the amenities needed before proceeding north
across the 9-10 day desert trek to Kennedy Meadows in the southern
Sierra. Through their amazingly generous hospitality, a guesthouse
with showers, laundry and kitchen and a spacious, shady yard are
available to all hikers, free of charge, throughout the season. They
also offer a telephone and a computer for email. Equestrians and
livestock are welcome. The Saufleys are gold mines of information
about current trail and water conditions. They will send and receive
hiker's packages and other mail, if addressed to:
PCT Hiker (Your Name)
C/O the Saufley's
11861 Darling Road
Agua Dulce, CA 91350
They can also be contacted at (661) 268-1235, or on the Internet at
dsaufley@sprynet.com Ask at the store or any of the restaurants for
a referral to one of these familes, or subscribe to the Internet's
PCT-List at PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net, for up-to-date seasonal
contact information.
P 129, Col 2: insert: Fires: No campfires of any kind are allowed in
Angeles National Forest, outside of designated campgrounds. Use gas
stoves only.
P 130, Col 1, Line 8: =8A gas station, mini-market and a MacDonald's restaur=
ant,
P 132, Col. 1, Par 2: Soon the trail crosses the newer Southern
Pacific Railroad tracks (3020-0.8) and swings to the right along a
dirt access road for 30 yards, before bending southwest to wind....
P 132, Col 1, Par 2, Line 6: At one point, you amble south along a
jeep road (keeping to the right where the road forks) for 100 yards,
before trail tread resumes on the right side of the road.
P 132, Col. 1, Last Par: Insert: Upon reaching the second powerline
road, ascend south up the road for 150 yards before resuming trail
tread on the right side of the road.
P 132, Col 2, Par 1, Last Line: Spring 2001.
P 136, Map D5: add Dawson Saddle Trail from shoulder of Throop Peak.
P 136, Col 2, Line 8: The Narrows Fire, a 9,437-acre wildfire, burned
a large portion of the headwaters of East Fork of San Gabriel River
canyon hereabouts during August, 1997. It was started by a hiker who
was conscientiously, but unwisely, burning toilet paper. Suppression
of the blaze required an estimated $8 million. We will encounter
burned terrain off-and-on, all along upper Blue Ridge, to Grassy
Hollow Visitor Center.
P 138, Col 1, Line 1: =8Apast a returning loop of the nature trail,=8A
P 138, Col 1, Par 1, Line 4: Grassy Hollow Visitor Center,
P 138, Col 1, Par 1, Last Line: =8Ainterpretive center and part-time
ranger station.
P 138, Col 1, Par 2, Line 7: It has piped water and toilets
throughout summer, even in drought years.
P 138, Col 1, Par 2, Last Line: Vincent Gulch Divide (6585-0.8).
P 138, Col 2, Last Line: With care, adequate camping for a dozen
hikers can be found hereabouts.
P 139, Col 1, Par 2, Line 2: A number of small, exceptionally scenic
but waterless camps can be made along the ridgeline between Mt Baden
Powell and Throop Peak. In early season, melting snowdrifts might be
a source of water. Later, we ascend two small switchbacks and pass =8A
P 139, Col 2, par 2, Line 10: =8A and unused..
P 139, Col 2, Par 2, Line 14: the cliff now known to rock-climbers as
Williamson Rock, =8A
P 139, Col 2, Par 2, Line 5 from bottom: We ascend it to pleasantly
shaded Cooper Canyon Trail Campground (6240-1.2), with reliable
water. Here PCT trail tread branches right, northwest from the
still-climbing road, briefly paralleling it before turning northward
up a ravine. In a sunny open forest of Jeffrey pine amid tufts of
silvery-leaved, multi-hued lupine, the way winds up and across a
hillside, merges subtly with a disused jeep road, and winds to a
ridgetop gap (6700--1.0) at the head of Winston Ridge. Here we can
look west down brushy Squaw Canyon to the Sulfur Spring vicinity. Now
the jeep-road-cum-trail ambles gently up over the eastern shoulder of
Winston Peak, then drops momentarily to cross the better dirt road
(6640-0.6) that returns to Cooper Canyon Trail Campground. Blow that
road, your way traverses southwest back into Cooper Canyon, where a
tier of sandy flats, shaded by pines, fir and cedar next to the
permanent, trickling headwaters of Cooper Canyon creek (6530-0.4)
affords the last nice camps before Sulfur Springs Campground. Now,
via small, steep switchbacks, the PCT tackles the finals slopes to
gain the better dirt road just below its end at Cloudburst Summit
(7018-0.8). Here, =8A
P 140, Map D7: Add new trail in head of Cooper Canyon. Also rename
Eagle's Roost as, Williamson Rock. Also omit 2 old trails below
Eagles Roost Picnic Area.
P 144: Photo: Eagles Roost: change to, "Waterman Rock"
P 145, Col 1, par 1, Line 7: Insert:
*************************************************************
Water Access: Here, too, one may descend south=8A
P 145, Col 2, Par 1, Line 9: =8A eventually turns south across the nose
of a ridge. There it finds a very short, signed side-trail
(5640-3.1), that drops 80 feet down to cross dirt Road 4N24 and finds
the new, waterless location of Big Buck Trail Camp. It sits just off
the road in a pine plantation. The PCT continues south, and soon
switchbacks down=8A
P 145, Col 2, Par 1, Line 13: Road 4N24 (5500-0.6).
P 145, Col 2, Par 1, Line 20: constitutes the best camp between Mill
Creek Summit and Messenger Flats,=8A
P 145, Col 2, Last line: Contaminated water here has, occasionally in
the past, sickened groups of PCT hikers, so you might be wisest to
filter it. The next certain water is at North Fork Ranger Station, in
5.5 miles. Water is variably found in early spring just before the
PCT crosses Moody Canyon Road-1.4 miles from Messenger Fiats
Campground.
P 147, Col 2, Line 3: Seasonal water is available here, from the
headwaters of Mill Canyon.
P 149, Col 1, Line 7: Omit as indicated.
P 149, Par. 1, Line 27: Water access may be more certain a short way
back up-canyon.
P 149, Col 2, Par 4, Line 6: =8Amarked by a brown metal PCT post.
P 149, Col 2, Par 4, Line 9: =8A often obscured by a growth of grasses
and waist-high mustard.
P 149, Col 2, Par 4, Line 13: Here you can walk east 3 minutes along
a fence around the RVs to the Cypress Park Resort, which welcomes
hikers.
P 150, Map D13: mark new PCT route across Soledad Canyon floor. Also
draw new PCT tread through Vasquez Rocks County Park.
P 150, Col. 1, Par 2, Line 1: Don't dismay if you lose the route as
you emerge on the extensively bulldozed north banks of the river.
Trail tread is washed away by every spring's floods, and hence the
way is often confusing. Your indistinct path empties onto a flat
alluvial maze of dirt roads, debris piles, and other assorted rubble.
Head north toward the far valley wall via the easiest route. Find a
dirt road adjacent to a barbed wire fence, itself just south of the
Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. Now follow the road a short
distance right, east, to where you come to a break in the fence
marked with PCT emblems. It=8A
P 151, Col 1, Line 6: Cypress Park Resort
P 151, Col 1, Par 2, Line 16: =8Agap (2780-0.7)=8A
P 151, Col 2, par 3, Last sentence: omit as indicated
P 151, Col. 2, Last Par, Line 4: Looking north, one sees the old PCT
leading steeply up a hillside. However, the PCT continues to head
southwest, downstream, between the purple walls of rock. You will
cross the creek six more times, where it seasonally pools and
trickles over a sandy bottom. Look for tadpoles, and beware of poison
oak and nettles. Find a delightfully cool lunch-stop cave under an
overhang of the tallest southern cliff, or pick the shade of a
checkerboard-barked sycamore tree. Moments later, you climb easily
northwest away from the streamside, up and over the southwest end of
a low ridge. A few yards later, find a three-way signed junction with
an equestrian trail (2315-0.9), which takes off to the left,
southwest. Follow the PCT the right, heading northeast up a very
steep section of trail. This deposits you on a little-used dirt road
on the north rim of Escondido Canyon, surrounded by a springtime
profusion of Whipple's yucca.
P 152, Col 1, par 1, Line 7: omit as indicated.
P 152, Col 1, Par 2, Line 1: Now begin a very gentle ascent northeast =8A
P 152, Col 1, Par 2, Line 6: =8Ajunction (2435-0.8), =8A
P 152, Col 1, Par 2, Line 12: Just before this gate is a green
drinking fountain with year-round water, a horse hitching-post with
its own water supply, and the delightful shade of a large Brazilian
pepper tree-perfect for lunch or camping. From the drinking fountain,
the treadles PCT veers right, north for a few yards, then, developing
a discernable tread, heads northwest, just to the north of a 20-30
high overhanging cobbly cliff band. Walking here may give you a sense
of d=E9j=E0 vu-appropriately so, since these spectacular rock
outcroppings have been made famous by dozens of cowboy movies and TV
ads. From a rocky gap below the summit of these rocks, you descend
easily west. The path now serves dual-duty as a nature trail, and
numerous signs teach you the names of many chaparral species that you
have encountered throughout the park. Soon, we wind near a number of
homes just outside the Park's north boundary, then amble northwest,=8A
Page 152, Col 2, Line 8: Escondido Canyon Road (2510-0.7).
P 152, Col 2, Las par: Omit as indicated
P 152, Col 2, Par 2, Line 1: For the next 2 miles, the PCT is
temporarily sited along the shoulder of busy paved roads. Hopefully,
this road-walk will be eliminated in the next few years. Due in large
part to tireless lobbying by the PCT Association, $1.5 million was
appropriated in December 1999 for a 3-mile connector between trail in
Vasquez Rocks and lower Mint Canyon. For the meanwhile, however, here=8A
P 152, Last Line: the Saufley's Hikers Heaven (see "Supplies", at the
start of this section) is only 0.9 miles west of here, at 11861
Darling Road.
P 156: Section E "Points on Route": Add 0.5 mile to mileage between
Old Sierra Highway and Bear Spring (6.8 total). Also, North-to-South
mileages do not add up properly on the chart.
P 156: Supplies: Line 1: =8Ahas a small convenience store, but, as of
2001, has neither a full grocery store or a post office (the closest
is in Acton). It also boasts three great restaurants, a hardware
store and feed store, a veterinarian and a hair salon. This area may
also have the largest concentration of dedicated "trail angels"
anywhere along the length of the PCT. ***Omit next section on
Saufleys***These include Donna and Jeff Saufley. Their "Hiker
Heaven", just 0.9 mile from the center of Agua Dulce, affords
through-hikers with all the amenities needed before proceeding north
across the 9-10 day desert trek to Kennedy Meadows in the southern
Sierra. Through their amazingly generous hospitality, a guesthouse
with showers, laundry and kitchen and a spacious, shady yard are
available to all hikers, free of charge, throughout the season. They
also offer a telephone and a computer for email. Equestrians and
livestock are welcome. The Saufleys are gold mines of information
about current trail and water conditions. They will send and receive
hiker's packages and other mail, if addressed to:
PCT Hiker (Your Name)
C/O the Saufley's
11861 Darling Road
Agua Dulce, CA 91350
They can also be contacted at (661) 268-1235, or on the Internet at
dsaufley@sprynet.com
Many hikers=8A
P 156, Supplies, Line 13: Lake Hughes is the logical resupply point
for those hikers opting to take the shorter alternate route across
the Mojave.
P 156, Supplies, Last Line: At Highway 138, the same point where one
would detour east to Lancaster, hikers can walk west, instead, 1.3
miles to The Country Store. Seven days a week, you'll find water,
cold drinks and snacks, minimal groceries, medical items and a phone.
Also available are horse feed, a corral, and even a PCT Association
trail register. The Country Store will accept PCT traveler's resupply
boxes and hold them for no charge. Send them to:
c/o Your Name
The Country Store
Star Route 138 (mail)
28105 Hwy 138 (UPS direct)
Lancaster, CA 93536-9207
Phone (805) 724-9097
P 157, Line 1: =8Aincluding a K-Mart,=8A
P 157, Supplies, Line 3: Tehachapi has PCT host families who will
help with travel to and from the trailhead-contact them via PCT-List,
on the Internet.
P 157, Supplies, Line 5: It now sports a large shopping center, with
fast food, pharmacy and groceries, and some chain motels, which sit
right at the junction of Highway 58 and Highway 14. This makes a
visit to Mojave quite convenient, for those who do not have to
continue on to the post office. Also in Mojave is a PCT-hiker's
institution: White's Motel at 16100 Sierra Highway. Call (661)
824-2421, or (800) 762-4596 (for reservations only). The
hiker-friendly managers offer inexpensive accommodations and a
swimming pool, and free shuttle service up to the PCT on Tehachapi
Pass. The motel is, conveniently, only 2 blocks from the post office.
How to choose between Tehachapi and Mojave for resupply? Tehachapi is
much cooler, prettier and quieter. It has a somewhat greater depth of
resources, but is not a lot better. For some, it will be a little
harder to reach than Mojave. Mojave has the advantage of the services
of White's Motel, and a more-compact town plan - it is easier for
walkers. For the ravenous, it has a superior mix of fast-food
restaurants. On the minus side, it is usually blisteringly hot,
always depressingly ugly, and constantly barraged by the noise of a
stream of auto traffic and dozens of passing trains. It is the
antithesis of the ideal PCT experience.
P 157, par 2: insert: Fires: No campfires of any kind are allowed in
Angeles National Forest, outside of designated campgrounds. Use gas
stoves only.
P 158, Par 3, Line 2: =8AMay 1,=8A
P 158: Par 3, Line 4: Note, too, that all campground water in the
Saugus District of Angeles National Forest (north of Agua Dulce) has
been turned off, because of uncertain contamination of the water
supplies with giardia and cryptosporidia parasites. This should not
inconvenience PCT travelers overly, since the (untreated) streams and
springs that supply the campgrounds are still as accessible as ever.
P 160, Col. 1, Par. 2, line 1: substitute: The PCT route begins by
climbing momentarily northeast up this road, ignoring a
right-branching spur, then descends for a short while. The road then
ascends moderately again, on exposed slopes of withered chamise on
the east flank of Mint Canyon. Pass a second right-branching spur.
Walk up past a chain link fence and pass back inside the Angeles
National Forest boundary, to find a resumption of trail tread
(2905-0.4) some 50 yards beyond a large steel electrical tower.
P 160, Col 1, Par 3, Line 1: Leaving the saddle, one sees the old Big
Tree Trail heading steeply up the spine of the ridge. The PCT,
however, starts a traverse to the left of the ridge, gaining
elevation gradually at first, on cobbly schist tread. You climb more
rapidly as the path drifts off to the northwest, presenting excellent
over-shoulder vistas south to the bizarre Vasquez rocks, purported
refuge of bandit Tiburcio Vasquez, and more eastward to Mts. Gleason,
Williamson and Baden-Powell. Eventually, you switchback steeply up
almost to the ridge, where you switchback again, back to the north.
The climb moderates, and quickly reaches Sierra Pelona Ridge Road
6N07 (4500--2.7). Now turn right, east, and walk gently up to a low
saddle (4555-0.3). Here, atop Sierra Pelona Ridge, wind gusts have
been measured in excess of 100 miles per hour. Now, =8A
P 160, Col. 2, Line 7: The springhead's dripping pipe is about 35
feet uphill from the trail, while a metal trough is just below the
trail.
P 160, Col 2, Line 5 from bottom: =8Ajunction (3785-0.6)=8A
P. 161, Line 1:... Bouquet Canyon Road 6N05 (3340-0.9).
P 162, Map E6: Re-label roads: Now "Pine Canyon Road" west of jct
with Elizabeth Lake Cyn Rd, and is now "Elizabeth Lake Road" if east
of that junction. Also mark Alternate Route.
P 163, Map E5: Re-label road as, "Elizabeth Lake Road".
P 164, Col 1, par 2, Line 17: ... southwest. San Francisquito
Campground no longer exists, but there is a trail camp near the
ranger station, under shady canyon live oaks. A restaurant is now
found at the junction of San Francisquito Canyon Road and Spunky
Canyon Road, 1.7 miles southwest of the ranger station. Green Valley,
which has a combined post office, grocery store and restaurant, as
well as phones and a fire station, is just beyond that road junction.
P 165, Col 1, Par 2, Line 4: =8A know which of the less- reliable
sources ahead are truly available, before you leave this point.
(Check with the Saufleys in Agua Dulce or on the Internet
PCT-List-see, "Supplies", at the start of Section E).
P 165, Col 2, Line 1: A small convenience store sits at the
intersection of Elizabeth Lake Canyon Road and Newvale Drive. Other=8A
P 165, Col 2, Lines 7 & 9: Paul: rename, "Elizabeth Lake Road".
P 165, Col 2, par 1, Last Line: The Lake Hughes Post Office is
another 0.5 mile east along the highway.
****************************************************************************=
****************
Alternate Route:
Travelers who do not want to walk along the sunny, frequently very
hot route of the permanent PCT route along the Los Angeles Aqueduct,
might consider the following alternate. It follows an old temporary
PCT route, used during the 1970's, past Lake Hughes, north across
Portal Ridge, then down past Fairmont Reservoir to 170th Street West.
This road is followed arrow-straight across the western arm of
Antelope Valley, to re-strike the PCT at the mouth of Cottonwood
Canyon, where there is a permanent water-source. Overall, it
subtracts 26.0 miles from the distance between Elizabeth Lake Canyon
Road and Highway 58 at Tehachapi Pass. It also makes Lake Hughes a
logical resupply point. Despite these attractions, the author does
NOT recommend this route, compared to the permanent PCT alignment.
Despite the fact that it does cut out one day's worth of arguably
uninteresting walk alongside the LA Aqueduct, it has little else to
offer. By taking the alternate, you will miss the gorgeous open black
oak forests along the crests of Sawmill and Liebre Mountains, and
many terrific vistas over the Antelope Valley to the Tehachapis. Most
of all, you will miss the true Pacific crest, which is accurately
traversed by the next stretch of trail.
Begin the alternate route by following the Resupply Access, above,
heading north along Elizabeth Lake Canyon Road to Newvale Drive
(3225--1.5-1.5). Turn right, east on Newvale Drive, passing homes, to
reach busy Elizabeth Lake Road (3245-- 0.3-1.8). You walk levelly
right, southeast, to left-branching Lakeview Road (3235-0.3-2.1).
"Downtown" Lake Hughes is five blocks to the east. Your next chance
for water is at Fairmont Reservoir, 3.8 miles, while your next
supplies are found at the end of this section, in Tehachapi or Mojave.
Ascend north on Lakeview Road, passing a few residences, then
following the twisting dirt road up to the top of grassy, viewful
Portal Ridge, which is a mass of granite thrust up by the powerful
San Andreas Fault to the south. Your dirt road 7N03 passes a few more
ridgetop homes as it winds east to splendid vistas over the western
Antelope Valley, then turns north on Road 7N16 at the entrance to Sky
Haven Ranch (3790-1.4-3.5). Now you descend through a gate, down a
ridge alongside the head of Myrick Canyon to reach a welter of dirt
and paved roads at the south end of the dam of breezy, barren
=46airmont Reservoir (3045-2.4-5.9), storage for the Los Angeles
Aqueduct. Walk north atop the dam, eventually arcing west, then leave
it at dirt Aqueduct Road (3045-0.8-6.7) at the dam's northwest end.
This road heads north to dirt Avenue H (3040-0.4-7.1), which we
follow briefly right, east to its intersection with wide dirt 170th
Street West (3001-0.2-7.3), in a weedy field.
The PCT temporary route itself goes north, soon crossing the tempting
California Aqueduct (2960-0.3-7.6) where hikers must tank up-the next
certain drinking water on-route is clear across deserty Antelope
Valley, at the Los Angeles Aqueduct, in 13.6 miles. Continue
northward, gently down 170th Street West, past a horse ranch to busy,
paved Lancaster Road (2805-1.1-8.7), where the road we were on is
signed, 167th Street West. Turn left and then trek north, then west,
to a continuation of 170th Street West (2785-0.6-9.3), now paved.
Head due north, arrow-straight across wind-swept Antelope Valley,
which is dotted here and there with alfalfa, onion, barley and
sugar-beet plantations. Irrigation sprinklers at these farms might be
a source of emergency water. You will also see diminishing stands of
Joshua trees. At one time, Joshua trees, or tree yuccas, were more
widely distributed, as evidenced by fossils of an extinct giant
yucca-feeding ground sloth found in southern Nevada where Joshua
trees are no longer living. These giant members of the lily plant
family, with their unusually branched, sometimes human forms, were
likened by Mormon pioneers to the figure of Joshua, pointing the
route to the Great Salt Lake-whence their name. Botanists now know
that Joshua trees will not branch at all unless their trunk-tip
flowers are damaged by wind or boring beetles. Each time a Joshua
tree blossoms, an event determined by rainfall or temperature, it
sprouts a foot-long panicle of densely clustered greenish-white
blooms that become football-shaped fruits later in the year. But
Joshua trees cannot pollinate themselves. Like other yuccas, their
pollen is too heavy to reach another plant, even in strong desert
winds, so they rely on a symbiotic relationship with the little white
Pronuba yucca moth. Unlike other insects, which might unwittingly
carry pollen from one plant to another, the Pronuba moth makes a
separate trip to carry pollen, which it stuffs deep into a Joshua
tree blossom. It then drills a hole in the base of the flower, where
it lays an egg. When the Pronuba moth grub hatches, it has fruit to
feed upon. Another animal that apparently can't live without Joshua
trees or other yuccas is the small, mottled night-lizard, which hides
under fallen Joshua trees, feeding on termites, spiders and ants.
Halfway across Antelope Valley, we walk on sediments eroded from the
Tehachapi and San Gabriel Mountains, which geologists estimate are up
to 5000 feet thick. Pavement on 170th Street West ends at Rosamond
Boulevard (2761-8.5-17.8), near Antelope valley's north margin.
Continue straight ahead, north, on sandy dirt road. Soon, our route
takes the form of two closely paralleling roads-take the one that is
easiest on your feet. Cross numerous sandy washes amid scattered
Joshua trees, junipers, ubiquitous low gray bur-sage and green
creosote bushes. Note how evenly spaced the glossy-leaved creosote
shrubs are. They secrete a toxin, washed to the ground by rains, that
poisons nearby plant growth, allowing them enough root-space to
gather the water supply they need. Observant walkers may note some
of the creosote bushes growing in clustered rings, up to a few yards
apart. Botanists have discovered that toot-crown branching by those
shrubs results in rings of plants, each one a genetically identical
clone of the original colonizing plant. By radiocarbon dating and
growth-rate measurements, scientists have found some creosote bush
clonal rings growing in the Mojave Desert with an estimated are of
11,000 years-far older than the well-known longevous bristlecone pine!
Eventually, strike dirt Broken Arrow Road (2914-1.6-19.4), which
branches left, northwest sandily up the low open alluvial mouth of
Cottonwood Creek canyon, carrying a pole-line. Ascend easily, passing
numerous smaller off-shooting roads that are often abuzz with
motorcycles. You finally rejoin the permanent PCT route at the
subterranean Los Angeles Aqueduct (3120-1.8-21.2) and its paralleling
roads, just 0.1 mile east of the shade and permanent water at the
Cottonwood Creek bridge.
****************************************************************************=
****************
P 166, Col 2, Par 1, Line 5: A few yards down a gully south of the
road is signed Fish Creek Canyon PCT Trail Camp, constructed by Boy
Scouts in 1984. It has a table and a fire pit in a hillside field of
pentstemon and mariposa lilies, but, unfortunately, the nearby water
tank is firmly shuttered, so the camp is waterless. Back on the
trail, you walk 35 yards northwest along the road to where trail
tread resumes.
P 166, Map E8: Add jeep road at Liebre Mtn summit, and Red Rock Water Tank.
P 167, Map E7: Add Fish Creek Canyon Trail Camp, and Maxwell Trail
Camp, and water tank at road junction on west edge of map.
P 167, Col 1, Par 1, Line 4: These rough access roads mark the site
of a small plantation of trees, whose young coulter pines and
incense-cedars shade pleasant Maxwell Trail Camp, which is just 100
feet north, down the first road. It has a unique "guzzler"
self-filling water tank, where green algae-stained water is available
to wildlife and hikers alike. Even nicer camping lies just a minute
before you strike the first road down to the trail camp.
P 167, col 1, par 2, Line 2: insert:
****************************************************************************=
***************
Water Access:
P 167, Col 1, Par 2, Line 7: Change as indicated
P 167, Col 2, par 1, end: Insert:
******************************************************
P 168, Map E9: add water tank near Bear Campground.
P 168, Col 1, Line 3: Pine Canyon Road
P 168, Col 1, Line 3, end: Insert:
***************************************************
Water Access:
Just west of this intersection, 200 feet up the hillside, lies a
10,000 gallon buried concrete water tank, used by firefighters. Its
rectangular steel lid is usually unlocked, making it a good site for
resupply. Adequate, if sunny camping is nearby.
****************************************************************************=
****************
P 169, Col 1, Line 1: Step across a jeep road that crosses the
saddle, then descend easily northwest, still just under the truck
trail.
****************************************************************************=
****************
Water Access:
Soon after beginning your descent, look north, just across the road,
for another water tank-the 10,000 gallon Red Rock Water Tank, with a
usually-removable yellow iron lid. Wind 50 feet through low brush to
reach it. Camping nearby will be shadeless and hot.
****************************************************************************=
****************
Page 169, Col 1, Par 1, Last Line: insert:
****************************************************************************=
****************
Water Access:
Another water tank can be reached from this point. Walk back right,
east, 100 yards down the road. Look north down a shallow gully, under
an open grove of black oaks, where a fiberglass water tank lies under
a low white corrugated aluminum roof, for the use of wildlife and
hikers. The best camping would be 3 minutes back down the road, at
Bear Campground.
****************************************************************************=
****************
P 169, col 2, Par 2, Line 8: If you choose to camp here in early
season, you may find water 100-200 feet down the gully to the east.
P 170, Map E10: Add location of The Country Store, and mark 269th
Street West and Neenach School Road. Also change location of Neenach
Elementary School. Also mark 260th Street West as paved.
P 171, Col 1, Line 4: =8Aproperty. A moment later, you step across
seasonally trickling Cow Spring Canyon creek, which runs into late
May of all but the driest years. Next, the path =8A
P 171, col 1, Par 3, Line 1: A brown sign-post marks=8A
P 171, Col 2, Par 1, Line 7: =8A signed 269th Street West.
P 171, Col 2, Par 2: omit
P 171, Col 2, Par 3, Line 1: delete as indicated.
P 171, Col 2, Par 3, Line 8: =8ABarnes Ranch Road at its junction with
paved Neenach School Road (2992-0.5).
****************************************************************************=
****************
Water and Resupply Access:
Water is available just north of this point, during school hours,
from Neenach Elementary School. Alternatively, "The Country Store",
is about 1.1 miles west on Barnes Ranch Road, which merges with
Highway 138 in about 1/2 mile. Use it as a resupply point, if needed,
instead of going to Tehachapi or Lancaster. Seven days a week, you'll
find water, cold drinks and snacks, minimal groceries, medical items
and a phone. Also available are horse feed, a corral, and even a PCT
Association trail register. The Country Store will accept PCT
traveler's resupply boxes and hold them for no charge. Send them to:
C/o Your Name
The Country Store
Star Route 138 (mail)
28105 Hwy 138 (UPS direct)
Lancaster, CA 93536-9207
Phone (805) 724-9097
****************************************************************************=
****************
Back on the PCT, walk north along Neenach School Road,=8A
P 171, Col 2, Par 3, 3rd from Bottom: =8Aroads. The first of this pair,
260th Street West, is paved, and bridges the ...
P 171, Col 2 Last Line: =8Athrough a gate, =8A
P 172, Col 1, Par 2, Line 6: Omit as indicated
P 172, Col 1, Par 3, Line 3: Indestructible 3-foot-tall brown-painted
iron posts, each emblazoned with a large white PCT emblem, =8A
P 173, Map E12: mark Bridge #1731-92, and redraw junction with
realigned road. Also mark the incoming Alternate Route, from east.
Also mark name of Broken Arrow Road. Also mark Waterhole 1521-66.
P 174, Col 2, Line 1: =8A your unimproved way occasionally signed as,
"Aqueduct Road"=8A
P 175, Col 1, Line 4: =8Abridge, Marked #1731-92.
P 175, Col 1, Line 6: brown metal posts
P 175, Col 1, Last Line: =8Amost spring-time hikers choose to live like
trolls under the shade of the bridge-the only dense shade available
in this scorching locale. Wherever you bed down, =8A
P 175, Col 2, Par 1, Last Line: As an alternative to getting water
from the sometimes-dirty-and-bee-infested horse trough southwest of
the bridge, you might try Waterhole 1521-66, at the immediate east
end of the bridge. It gives water, via a 3" plastic pipe, to a small
pool in a cluster of shrubs about 50 feet below the road.
P 175, Col 2, Par 2, Line 2: Mileage error: should be dirt road (3120-0.2).
P 175, Col 2, Par 2, Line 18: Be aware that dirt-bikers have also
used the trail heavily to gain access to the Tehachapis, and have
created many diverging, and sometimes confusing, paths.
P 175, Col 2, par 2, Line 5 from Bottom: Omit as noted.
P 177, Col. 1, Par. 3, Line 9: There is often water in Gamble Spring
Canyon in springtime, but it cannot be relied upon, especially in
drier-than-average years.
P 178: Map E14: mark new trail alignment.
P 179, Par 2: Resupply access: Line 5:=8Acarefully=8A
P 179, Par 2, Last Sentence: omit
P 181, Col 2, Line 11: =8Abrown plastic PCT markers=8A
P 181, Col 2, Resupply access, last line: Rather than hitchhiking
from here, consider a walk partway into Tehachapi. Avoid Highway 58.
Instead, turn left, west, along the aforementioned railroad tracks.
Walk the roadbed that parallels the rail-road, keeping well away from
the heavily used tracks. Cross under Highway 58 in 1.5 miles, and
then at the first opportunity, walk north over to paved,
frequently-used Tehachapi Road, which parallels the tracks and the
freeway. You should be able to hitch a ride here. Continue west on
that road 7.5 miles more to the downtown area. You pass a Travelodge
with a gas station, restaurant, bar and mini-mart at the Steuber Road
intersection, 2.0 miles before you reach the center of town.
Tehachapi Post Office is now north of Hwy 58 on North Mill
Street, across from the AM/PM Mini Market. This location is,
unfortunately, less convenient to hikers, but less than 1/2 mile from
downtown.
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