[pct-l] (Guest Post) 2002 Hiker offering advice/help....

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
Following is a long report from a non-lister on trail towns, including his
info about availability of alcohol fuel.  No guarantees, but may be helpful
to some who are now planning their resupply strategies.  YMMV.:

In a message dated 1/22/03 1:09:19 AM Pacific Standard Time,
simonwillis@backpacker.com writes:

> What I can offer is my notes on the towns we visited which, where at all
> possible (and in most cases) describes if and where fuel was available wh=
en
> we walked through.
>
> Mt Laguna
> Julie at store will hold hiker boxes, and their opening hours are better
> and more predictable than the PO next door (which changed without warning=
).
> It is possible to re-supply there, and while she had Coleman fuel, she on=
ly
> had rubbing alcohol, but promised to get some de-natured in for 2002.
>
> Warner Springs
> The resort does a 1 night hiker special - a cabin (sleeps 2) for $50. Wor=
th
> sharing, as its a room rate. The Golf Course grill across the road does
> good breakfasts and "lunch" (burgers, fries etc.) until 4pm. The dining
> room buffet is $25 and questionable value. But the huge thermal spa pool
> (104f) soothes aches and cures blisters. The lady in the gas station/mini
> mart tries hard to get stuff hikers want (lots of moleskin) but it would =
be
> hard to re-supply here. No alcohol. The staff in the small post office ge=
t
> quite harassed with all the hiker boxes.
>
> Hiker Oasis, Anza
> Paul "The Bear", and Pat ran this behind the RV park Kamp Anza, but have
> moved to another, still nearby property. In 2002 we rang Paul and he pick=
ed
> us up outside the Paradise Corner Restaurant on Pines to Palm Highway. He
> hopes to secure land easements so hikers can walk on in. In 2002, hikers
> camped on his lush lawn, showered and did laundry in a trailer, and he ha=
s
> big plans for the place. Get his number from the Hiker Oasis water stash,
> which honestly, you will not miss, or e-mail: thebear1@jps.net He doesn't
> allow smoking or drinking alcohol on his property.
>
> Idylwild
> Lovely town, easy to stay too long. The Forest Service Campground has a
> small Hike &Bike section where camping costs $1 pppn, but it's next to a
> road, so don't expect a lie in. Knotty Pine cabins have a 2 night minimum=
.
> Barbara has geared the Tahquitz Motel to hikers (at this time of the year=
)
> charging $50 for a room with a kitchen, fridge, microwave &TV, so it's ea=
sy
> to live here cheap for two nights. She also has a box with shampoo,
> toothpaste, razors and will drive hikers 3m uphill to the trailhead when
> they leave - a very valuable service. The laundry is nearby ($1.75 wash,
> $.75 dry), the Red Kettle is good for breakfast, but there's excellent
> coffee and mouth-watering baked good to take out directly opposite. Two
> hardware stores, both have denatured alcohol, Nomad is a good outdoor
> equipment shop used to patching up hikers, and Fairway Foods near the PO
> has a much better selection that the more central Village Market. Highway
> 10 -
>
> The Pink Motel
> An alternative place to send re-supply boxes to avoid hitch to Cabazon. R=
un
> by Don &Helen Middleton, it's two open cabins for PCT hikers in the middl=
e
> of what looks like a junk yard (collecting &fixing things up is Dons
> hobby). They live down Cottonwood Rd. There is a gas &a wood stove, couch=
es
> to sleep on, and a fridge stocked by these kind trail angels. Send boxes
> to: Self, c/o Helen Middleton, Middleton Hiker Cabin 13010 Cottonwood,
> HCR-1 Box 2001 Whitewater, CA 92282 Tel: 909 849 8440
>
> Big Bear City
> Seems more compact for re-supplying that Big Bear Lake, but the latter ha=
s
> a European style backpacker hostel (we were its first PCT thru-hikers)
> which normally caters for skiers &mountain bikers. Dorm rooms $20 each,
> laundry $2, very casual. Take bus ($1 exact fare) and get off at
> Knickerbocker. James Grayson McNeill will hold re-supply boxes sent to: C=
/O
> Big Bear Lake Mountain Hostel PO Box 1951, 527 Knickerbocker Big Bear Lak=
e
> CA 92315-1951 (909) 866 8900 If you do make it here, Grizzly Bear Manor
> Cafe on Big Bear Boulevard does the best (& biggest!) breakfast we'd had =
so
> far in the US. The paint store behind it sells denatured alcohol. Cajon
> Pass You walk past a McDonalds, cross the Interstate, to find a gas stati=
on
> with a Taco Bell in its mini mart and an excellent, family run Best Weste=
rn
> Motel (702) 798 1020. It has laundry, pool and hot tub. Double room $65.
>
> Wrightwood.
> The guide suggests going 5m down Acorn trail to town. Better is to hike 6=
m
> further on the trail to the highway and hitch. Plenty of rides with towns
> folk bringing hikers up and down all the time. It means not having to hik=
e
> 5m UP Acorn Trail with 2000ft elevation gain with full re-supply pack.
> Hardware store is hiker central and sells alcohol by the ounce or can.
> Motels vary hugely in standard, but you'll find folk ahead of you who'll
> say which they like &don't. There's no laundry in town but some trail
> angels listed in the register at the hardware store offer to wash clothes
> and give rides back to the trail. Incidentally, several hikers have found
> their running shoes start to fail around this point. Excellent breakfast =
at
> the Coffee House.
>
> Soledad Canyon
> Nine miles before Agua Dulce, no one would re-supply here. But it's worth
> pointing out that there's a burger restaurant here, giving vital fuel for
> that last haul. After the ford and before the railway line, there's a RV
> park to the left. Walk past the pool, keeping it on your left, and you'll
> come to the restaurant.
>
> Agua Dulce
> The Saufley's. Most people know about this place. Loan clothes when you
> arrive, your washing done, a tent city on the yard, an RV and a trailer
> with shower, kitchen and lounge. And the use of a Jeep, just for hikers.
> Wonderful. BUT, it gets very busy, up to 30 at a time. Some hikers want t=
o
> party when others have an early start, so if you're going back on the
> trail, take a tent away from the main trailer.
>
> Green Valley.
> Case De Luna Twenty two trail miles from Agua Dulce, 2002 was Joe &Terri'=
s
> third year as trail angels, and their place is like I suspect the Saufley=
's
> used to be. Two tents with air mattresses, showers, food, beer and a nice
> relaxed atmosphere in a lovely, green valley. It's off the trail, so some
> folks don't come here, yet Joe gives rides to the trailhead. If you bring
> your packs here the day before using the Saufley jeep, it makes a great
> slackpack.
>
> Lake Hughes
> Not on the trail but on the "alternative" "short cut" route across the
> Mojave, get separate directions from Joe &Terri. There is a post office,
> small store with PCT Register, and Harley's Rock Inn (661 724 1855). Room=
s
> are $59, there's a bar, and burgers etc. (incl veggie) are served from 8a=
m.
>
>
> Tehachapi
> Easy hitch from the Willow Springs Road. But this places is very spread
> out. Most hikers stay at Santa Fe Motel $40, plus $15 for ride to trail.
> But it's a 4ml round trip to Albertsons, 4ml round trip to Post Office.
> Probably better to go to Mojave. Whites Motel will collect from trailhead=
.
>
> Kennedy Meadows
> When you reach the road, turn right and hike up the pavement to the store
> which has showers, a clothes washing machine &a washing line. The folks
> here know hikers want denatured alcohol or Heet, and usually have it. You
> can mail out from here and there is now a payphone, but it costs 35c even
> for a 1-800 number. The new Pocketmailer works but not the old one.
> Everyone hangs out here. Movies in outdoor screen on Sat. night. Their
> phone no is 559-850-kmgs e-mail kmlahansen@earthlink.net The forest servi=
ce
> campground is a long 3ml road hike. However, 1.5ml down the same road, ta=
ke
> first left after the cattle grid, and there's a fire safe camping area wi=
th
> a lavatory. Much nearer the store, and free. Water from the river. There'=
s
> a restaurant - in the other direction from the store with grudging servic=
e
> but OK steaks. Poor veg option. Another restaurant, Grumpy Bear, will
> collect hikers for Sat night meals.
>
> Independence
> Many go straight through to VVR. Having done the JMT, I wanted to hike th=
e
> Kearsarge Pass trail and was not disappointed. Our map suggested 2 routes
> to the pass from the PCT - we planned to go up the low route via Bullfrog
> Lake, and down the high route. Trail signs, however, suggested the low
> route didn't reach the pass, so we took the high route both ways. It look=
s
> like the low route DOES reach the pass, but the high route is superb - th=
e
> views of the lake and the pinnacles make it worth the hike. Getting a rid=
e
> down Onion Valley is easier in the afternoon when day hikers are going
> home, but we managed at 10am. Mairs Market was shut for remodelling in Ju=
ne
> 2002, but ought to have everything needed to re-supply. It sells hardware
> so it should have alcohol fuel. There's also a medium sized mini-mart
> (oxymoron?) at the Chevron gas station. The laundry has shut, and no mote=
l
> advertises a laundry, but the nice woman at the Mt. Williamson Motel (760
> 878 2121) did ours for $5. The Post Office is not open Saturday. The
> Greyhound route down the Owens Valley has been cancelled, but Inyo Mono
> Transit (1-800-922-1930, 760 872 1901) now run 2 busses every weekday to
> Lone Pine and to Bishop (Wilson's Eastside Sports 760-873-7520 is very we=
ll
> stocked, and DO NOT miss the late Galen Rowell's "Mountain Light" gallery
> 760 873 7700). Busses also run to Ridgecrest where you can catch a
> Greyhound. The fare is $4 and they can run somewhat late. Getting a ride
> out of Independence up Onion Valley to the Kearsarge Pass Trailhead can b=
e
> difficult if you don't catch the early tide of weekend day hikers. Skip a=
t
> Wilderhouse Shuttle Service does to journey for $20 (1-888 313 0151 or 76=
0
> 878 2119 wilder@wilderhouse.com) He shuttle people between Yosemite &
> Kennedy Meadows too, so he knows most places. With his wife, they run an
> upsacle bed &breakfast place just outside Independence at $105 per couple
> per night.
>
> Vermilion Valley Resort.
> Peggy sold the resort in 2002 and I=E2=80=99ve heard mixed reports about =
the new
> set-up. If Muir Trail Ranch is more welcoming to hikers it could be an
> alternative. As it is, VVR is the most popular choice and has all you nee=
d.
>
>
> Reds Meadow
> On 16 June 2002 the store was still stocking its shelves and the campgrou=
nd
> had yet to open. The restaurant is tempting but was the worst value meal
> we'd had. A double cheeseburger had patties so small they fit on the tiny
> bun side by side! The tuna melt was two slices of toast with tune salad
> between. Both served with chips (UK=3Dcrisps) not fries. With two drinks =
the
> tab was a whopping $25! Other reported being ill after eating there.
>
> Tuolumne Meadows
> Store (sells denatured alcohol), post office and small fast food place. T=
he
> campground is fine, but the lodge wanted $60 for a tent cabin. If intendi=
ng
> to layover, consider going to Yosemite Valley or Lone Pine. There is one
> shuttle bus a day to Yosemite valley from mid-June where there is a
> laundromat (none in TM, not even at TM Lodge, despite reports). For
> information about transportation inside the park call Yosemite Lodge
> Transportation Desk 209 372 1240. There's also a daily bus down to Lee
> Vining (1-800-626-6684) which has motels (Lee Vining Motel $44 but be awa=
re
> of road noise) a store, laundromat, internet access (tourist info centre)
> and restaurants. Also interesting Mono Lake.
>
> A Side Thought About Bear Canisters....
> The posters and websites suggest ALL backcountry campers in Sequoia/Kings
> Canyon and Yosemite National Parks must store their food in bear-proof
> canisters. Signs indicate this is also the case in the section of Ansel A=
dam
> s Wilderness adjoining Yosemite NP. Most PCT hikers don't use them becaus=
e
> they're too heavy. Will they automatically break the regulations? No. Stu=
dy
> the published regulations in Sequoia/Kings Canyon and you'll see that
> through hikers (defined as PCT or JMT) are exempt from carrying bear proo=
f
> canisters provided they store food in the bear proof metal lockers at sit=
es
> between Forester Pass and Rae Lakes (not Glen Pass as previously
> suggested). In Yosemite National Park, rangers will give $125 tickets for
> improper food storage. Above 9,500ft a bear proof canister is the only
> approved storage method. But below 9,500ft, where there are more trees,
> counter balance food hanging with 12ft ground clearance is still approved=
,
> but only as a delaying tactic. You must be prepared to defend your food. =
So
> camp below 9,500ft in Yosemite, hang your food correctly, and be prepared
> to defend it, and you ARE NOT legally required to use a bear canister.
>
> Kennedy Meadows, Sonora Pass
> It's a 15ml West hitchhike or yogi a ride at the parking lot. There's a
> sign to KM on the highway (north side of road), but try to get your ride =
to
> drive you 1ml down this road to the store. There are cabins for $67,
> showers $5(!), laundry $2, and a good value restaurant which also does
> breakfast. Poor selection in the store. Only bug spray in aerosol! No
> Coleman or Denatured Alcohol in store, but rubbing alcohol.
>
> Echo Lake
> If you're going to South Lake Tahoe, hitch when you hit Highway 50, 1.2ml
> before Echo Lake Resort. If you go to the resort, the one way taxi fare i=
s
> $20 (Clue Taxi 530-577-2583). There are motels which will shuttle you, bu=
t
> they're not well placed. Or try to yogi a ride in the resort parking lot.
> The store is pretty poor for re-supply and fairly expensive. No alcohol
> fuel. Best go to S.Lake Tahoe. Stay near "The Y". This is place where roa=
ds
> 89 and 50 split. There's a K-mart, Baleys Supermarket, Laundromat, Post
> Office (shut Saturday) and many budget motels, although prices rise at a
> weekend. Many hikers like the privately run Matterhorn Motel. Busses run =
to
> the casinos (buffets!). Alcohol at drug store or Heet in K-mart.
>
> Sierra City
> Nice place, little more than a main street, with the feel of Idylwild or
> Wrightwood. As an Englishman, I can confirm Beryl, another Brit and owner
> of Mountain Shadows restaurant, makes excellent Fish and Chips. She's bee=
n
> in the US 15 years, so also does a good breakfast. It's open from early
> until 2pm. The RV park will let hikers camp free and use showers. The cam=
p
> spot is some rough land near the river so not luxurious camping and the
> area is reportedly visited by a bear which likes dumpster food, so hang
> bags. The store did not have heet or denatured alcohol, only rubbing
> alcohol.
>
> Quincy
> Those seeking R&R will not find it (or much else!) in Belden so Quincy is=
 a
> better alternative. It=E2=80=99s a 15ml hitch from Buck's Summit via Mead=
ow Valley
> (or 30ml from Belden). Full service town with a good music festival in 1s=
t
> week of July. Near centre of town are 3 motels. 2 in West are most
> convenient; Spanish Creek Motel 530-283-3686 and Gold Pan Motel
> 530-283-3686. Identical rates- room for 2 is $55 in each. Pine Hill Motel
> is in East 530-283-1670. Chamber of Commerce has list of those further ou=
t
> 530-283-0188 qchamber@psln.com and is very helpful, hoping to encourage
> more PCT hikers. Good whole food store on main street. Old fashioned barb=
er
> cuts hair (very short!) for $9. Free internet access in library (limited =
to
> 1/2hr per day). Alcohol fuel at hardware next to Safeway, Rite Aid and
> Laundromat at east end of town.
>
> Belden
> Not really a town but an RV park with a few cabins in varying states of
> disrepair, bar/restaurant with a very limited menu and an attached store
> with very limited stock. No alcohol fuel. Cabins cost $70 per night(!)
> camping $10 despite old cold showers. Railroad engines just yards away ma=
ke
> sleep impossible. Try not to spend long down here. Cross the river, turn
> left and walk down to Post Office run by kind &helpful Dorothy. Trail
> behind PO back to PCT.
>
> Drakesbad Guest Ranch
> Turn left rather than right when approaching Warner Campground. They serv=
e
> great food and welcome PCT hikers. Breakfast 7.30-8.30 $9.75, Lunch 12-1p=
m
> $11, Dinner 6-7pm $18.25, vegetarian dinned $15.75, hiker's plate $7.50. =
We
> arrived at 1.50pm when lunch was just being cleared away, but still we ha=
d
> a huge, filling salad with cold meat, cheeses, and lots of yummy stuff.
>
> Old Station
> If I had my way, Doug at the Hat Creek Store (530 335 7044) would be
> knighted for his services to PCT hikers (see our journal for reasons
> http://www.pcthiker.com/pages/journals/2002/simon.shtml). The store sells
> Heet fuel and limited supplies, but the resort is good. There was a
> breakfast place 2ml up the road and a new one opening at the store itself=
.
>
> Burney Falls
> Store $3 charge to hold packages. No alcohol fuel but a pretty good suppl=
y
> of basics. Hot food in Snack Bar extremely limited - nachos, hot dogs, me=
at
> pizza slices and meat sandwiches. No burgers or fries. Breakfast, just
> coffee, muffin and cinnamon roll, although staff can be persuaded to
> microwave a slice of pizza.
>
> Castella/Dunsmuir
> When you reach paved Riverside Rd turn left for Castella, Right for
> Dunsmuir.
> Dunsmuir - you can hitch from the Interstate interchange, or walk 1.2ml o=
n
> railroad tracks to a crossing, then go left and walk 4ml into town. The
> road starts on the left bank of the river, then crosses to the right, the=
n
> back to the left bank. The town is spread over 3ml with cheaper motels at
> either end. Try the Oak Tree on your way in then ring the Acorn Inn
> (530-235-4805) at the very far end to compare. There are two rather seedy
> looking residence hotels in town. The Acorn Inn charged $45 plus tax for
> one, Travel Lodge near town centre was $62 plus tax for one. The main foo=
d
> market is at the far (North) end of town past the Interstate underpass (a
> long walk in summer heat but closest to the Acorn Inn). The burger bar an=
d
> laundromat are near the pizza place downtown. Nice "Gandy Dancers" cafe
> downtown (shut Monday) on a street parallel to main street but one block
> downhill nearer the railroad. The town of Mt Shasta is a 6ml hitchhike up
> the Interstate or highway and has a good outfitter, drug store and Black
> Bear Diner.
> Castella - Post office is right next to Ammiratti's market/gas station
> which has lots of drinks &chips but basic re-supply only. I saw no
> powerbars or alcohol fuel. Tough possibly waterless 22ml 4000ft climb out
> of Castella, although 2 streams ran mid Aug 2002.
>
> Seiad Valley
> The Grider Creek Campground is fine with a good pool under the bridge to
> bathe in. Traffic only goes there or up a logging road, but I'm told peop=
le
> sometimes give rides 6.5ml to town (although that=E2=80=99s cheating!). R=
ick's, the
> Seiad Valley Restaurant, is of course home to the Pancake Challenge. 7
> winners in 18yrs as of 17 Aug 2002, eating 5x 12oz batter pancakes. It's
> open 7 days a week, 7am-2pm but he shuts if business is quiet. The store,
> part of same building, shuts 8pm. Rubbing but not denatured alcohol. The
> Wildwood Lodge (0.8ml West) no longer has rooms. It's a lunch and dinner
> restaurant (530 496 3195). All a la carte, chicken is $11, 14oz Ribeye $1=
7,
> plus tax &tip. Owner Rita Herbst. Mid River RV charges $5 for camping, bu=
t
> has a great $10 bunkhouse, with fridge, microwave, VCR and free movies!
> With 3 beds and a couch it's in demand. Coin-op showers and laundry right
> alongside, hikers box and nice people. Run by Marj &Rick (different Rick =
to
> the pancake king) they will drive hikers places in emergencies. If less
> urgent locals often head 53ml to Yreka (big town) or 1ml Happy Camp (much
> smaller) and give rides. A very hiker friendly place. Also Mon &Fri there=
's
> a bus, which stops right outside RV Park, to Yreka a full service town
> including a hospital which sees a lot of PCT hikers, including me!
>
> Interstate 5 near Ashland
> Callaghans has a register and gives the first beer free to PCT hikers.
> Meals from about $10, an all-you-can-eat spaghetti plate (aimed at hikers=
)
> and rooms from $65, which includes a full service breakfast, probably wor=
th
> about $20. An excellent four course meal for two was $33. You can tent on
> the lawn for 5$ and come for breakfast is good value. If they're not full=
,
> the owners Ron and Donna Bergquist told me they'll let you do laundry, us=
e
> a robe while your stiff is washing, and shower in empty rooms. They go to
> Ashland daily and even if you're not staying, will give rides whenever th=
ey
> can. Donna told me all this in the car. It doesn=E2=80=99t appear in Crai=
g on-line
> planning programme but they will hold hiker packages. 541-482-1299
> callahan@mind.net
>
> Ashland
> Ashland is the place from which to sort all the food for Oregon but it=E2=
=80=99s
> expensive, especially hotels &motels. The $40 Columbia hotel is reportedl=
y
> uncomfortably hot without A/c. However, the Ashland Hostel (also without
> a/c) is $15 a night for dorm, backpackers getting $5 discount off regular
> $20 price. 541-482-9217. It wasn't hot when I was there, but imagine the
> basement mens dorm would be stuffy &sweaty in different weather. Ground
> floor private rooms $50. Coin-op laundry, free movie rental for VCR, clos=
e
> to town centre, and very friendly. The door is locked afternoons 1-5pm bu=
t
> if you're staying a couple of nights they'll give you the door code which
> changes daily. There's a free bus service, Mon-Fri 5.30am-7pm through tow=
n
> running every 15 mins so getting around is easy, even to out of town
> motels. $1 to go to Medford, but why leave Ashland? At the west end of th=
e
> 10 bus route is Albertsons, Mailboxes etc. (for UPS) and a second post
> office, inside the Rite Aid store, open Saturday unlike the main PO.
> Denatured alcohol at downtown hardware. Expensive but fresh organic food =
at
> Ashland Coop. Half hour (free) internet access in library and (pay) sever=
al
> cafes. Safeway is nearest supermarket, one block south past library, with
> 1hr photo processing nearby. For me a great attraction was the Shakespear=
e
> Festival which runs all summer. The big plays sell out several days ahead=
,
> but other tickets go for half price an hour before curtain up. Try for VO=
M
> tickets - temporary seating which most folk don't want but is every bit a=
s
> good as real seats, often in better position. And VOM is short for
> vomitorium. Don't ask. Also people gather before performances in the squa=
re
> infront of the box offices to buy and sell tickets for that and coming
> days. I spent four nights here waiting for my partner to arrive from the =
UK
> and loved the place.
>
> Hyatt Lake Resort
> Very small store, not enough to re-supply and no alcohol, but hold packag=
es
> sent UPS, and give free camping (site 4) and free hot showers. The cafe
> didn't open in 2002 but there's one 0.5ml North on road open until 8pm.
>
> Crater Lake NP
> The PCT deposits you onto Highway 66. Turn right and the park entrance is
> less than a mile downhill walking along the highway. People have got lost
> on short cuts in the guide book. Just past the entrance booth, turn right
> into Mazama Village. The laundry and showers are part of the store, and
> this is the best place to mail boxes. Don't try to send them to the Rim
> Lodge, as was the old advice, as they just come here. The small store wou=
ld
> be a tough re-supply. There's a hiker box, but no denatured alcohol, and =
no
> cafe - just coffee and muffins for breakfast. There's a trail to the rim,
> or the 4ml road to the Post Office, then 3ml road to the rim. Hitchhiking
> in parking lots seems fine but "discouraged" on the narrow roads. But the
> Rangers do give rides. Ask at the entrance booth or ranger station - they
> sent a patrol car for us. Nice people, just ask nicely and don't expect.
> The Post Office, (541-594-3115) 4ml up the road is open Mon-Sat 9-12 1-3.
> It just holds packages 30 days, but is good for a bounce box. It's anothe=
r
> 3ml up to the Rim Village. Very close to the Post Office is the Ranger
> Station. This is dispatch - the place to ask for a ride to the rim. It al=
so
> issues backcountry permits. Permits? I'll explain. On the PCT your permit
> covers you, but PCT hikers like to camp near the rim, off the PCT, to vis=
it
> the all-you-can-eat buffet and to eat breakfast. Some folk just stealth
> camp in the woods, but if you're stopped during the day, or you=E2=80=99r=
e getting
> rides with Rangers, it's nice to have a formal answer to the question
> "where are you camping?" I got a permit for "Dutton Creek Dispersal", so
> when you're finished on he rim, you just have to walk 1ml down Dutton Cre=
ek
> to legally wild camp. If you've asked for "dispersal" you don't have to g=
o
> all the way to the official backcountry campground. All nice and legal. A=
nd
> of course if you THINK you've gone a mile, then you can just walk into th=
e
> woods... Highly recommended is the $12 All-You-Can-Eat buffet in the
> Watchman Restaurant from 5pm-10pm, above the Llao Cafe. The Llao Cafe ope=
ns
> for breakfast at 8am. However, Crater Lake Lodge opens for a pricier but
> lovely breakfast at 7am. Rooms in Crater Lake Lodge, 100yds along the rim
> from the cafe/gift shop, start at $117 but you can visit for a look aroun=
d.
> It too does dinner but reservations are required. Diamond Lake Reportedly=
 a
> very good stop with lodging, cafe and store. Quickest route is North Crat=
er
> Trail from near Highway 138, returning to PCT on Howlock trail. But it's =
an
> additional 3ml and 1000ft ascent and descent so we skipped it.
>
> Shelter Cove Resort
> Friendly folk but small store, would be expensive &limited re-supply. Doe=
s
> have Heet alcohol fuel. No cafe, just hot dogs &coffee. $6 camping site i=
s
> not wonderful. Showers $1.50 for 3mins. Laundry $1 soap, $1 wash, $1 dry.
> Cabins at various prices, but none cheap! Elk Lake Didn't visit. I'm told
> their bacon cheeseburgers are good and they have Ben &Jerry's Ice Cream,
> but like all these places, are pricey.
>
> Big Lake Youth Camp
> Not signed and easily missed. A very big Christian camp for kids and
> adults. They hold boxes, free showers, $1 laundry (not coin-op) and ask a=
t
> the desk for a $4.50 meal ticket for an all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner.
> Santiam Pass is a much easier hitch-hike point than McKenzie Pass.
>
> Ollalie Lake
> By now you know what these Oregon resorts are like. Limited selection and
> naturally expensive.
>
> Timberline Lodge
> Now this place is different. It is a very large ski-station high on Mt
> Hood. It has a range of lodging options and a decent if overpriced
> restaurant. Opposite the main building is the Wy'East Building with a caf=
e
> (bfast, lunch &dinner between certain hours only) and a gift store where
> you pick up hiker boxes. This store sells to the ski crowd, so if you nee=
d
> fleece clothing, warm gloves etc they have these. No alcohol.
>
> Cascade Locks/Stevenson/Carson
> Cascade Locks, OR is a small town. Two good eateries (esp. Charburger).
> Econo Inn Motel $45 for two incl tax. Denatured alcohol at hardware store=
.
> But consider NOT sending box here. If you're going to hike the alternate
> road start to WA (21mls shorter with 1ml less of climbing) then in 3ml
> you'll pass through bigger town of Stevenson which has PO and more
> facilities (possibly fewer motels). Don=E2=80=99t wait until you reach Ca=
rson in
> another 4.5ml as it has a PO and little else.
>
> White Pass
> At $55 (inc tax) for 2 people I think a room with kitchen is good value,
> especially since there's only hotdogs and burritos at the store, no fries
> or burgers. Tough re-supply, but they sell HEET alcohol. Each room is a
> privately owned condo, so each is furnished differently. Some (the same
> size!) have 2 beds, some 5 beds, and all your trail mates can pile into t=
he
> spare beds. It's reportedly an easy 15ml hitch to Packwood. The "rural po=
st
> office" here accepts and holds packages. If you want to mail stuff out,
> remarkably they don't have scales, you have to guess how much it'll cost.
> In the twenty first century! One woman helped us guess, the other repeate=
d
> the mantra "your guess is as good as mine". Priority Mail seemed a new
> concept, and international mail a black art.
>
> Snoqualmie Pass
> Ugly is the first word which comes to mind when you see this ski station
> from above. The Ward Home B&B was shut in 2002 due to sickness but plans =
to
> open for 2003. The Best Western Summit Inn (425-434-6300) does a $65 PCT
> rate, with big TV's, pool, hot tub, dancing nymphs and every luxury known
> to mankind. Even coffee machines. The (attached) Pancake House is an
> upscale fast food /breakfast/dinner place open all day. You could re-supp=
ly
> out of the Chevron and Time Wise Deli together if you're not too fussy. I
> saw rubbing alcohol and Heet gel - not sure if that works. The deli is a
> rural Post Office, but is only open 6am-2pm weekdays. You can collect
> parcels outside this time, provided they don't require delivery
> confirmation. A bounce box mailed at White Pass Monday reached here
> Thursday morning. Mail arrives &leaves 8am, and they DO have a scale so y=
ou
> don't play "your guess is a good as mine" game.
>
> Skykomish
> The Sky Chalet across the bridge on Highway 2 does superb breakfasts and
> other meals. They plan to rent rooms in the future. The deli is up for
> sale, but the Chevron might have enough to re-supply and sells Heet. It h=
as
> a sign advising PCT hikers that showers, laundry and a campsite are
> available at Scotty &Bridget's house 677 0167. People also camp at Bob
> Norton's house and he has the hiker box 677 2347 514 E.Railroad Ave. Two =
of
> the three hotels have shut, so the cheapest room is a rip-off, the Sky
> River Inn is $80. It was the worst value on the PCT. Our drift box mailed
> from Snoqualmie Friday morning was waiting for us Monday morning, so a
> bounce box is possible in Washington if you want back-up winter gear.
>
> Stehekin
> Ring 360-856-5700 x14 and check times of shuttle bus from High Bridge to
> Stehekin Landing. They change yr to yr but it was 9am,12pm,3,6pm. After 3=
0
> Sep the big old school bus (thru hikers get to sign the roof!) is replace=
d
> by a twice daily NPS shuttle van. There's nothing but an old ranger stati=
on
> at High Bridge (where you get on the bus) which takes you down to a small
> resort community built along the side of Lake Chelan. The fabulous bakery
> is 1.7ml from town but the bus will stop. It opens at 7am and people have
> done most of their re-supply from here, but you=E2=80=99d have to like br=
ead &
> pastry! On-the-day savoury stuff (Pizzas etc) ready after 11am. The Park
> Office is on the right as you enter the settlement with the main campgrou=
nd
> opposite (Purple Point). It's free, you write your own registration, and
> there are food lockers. There are free showers and a coin-op laundromat
> (open late), then the Post Office but its opening time change - ring to
> check PO times 509-682-2625. It was open just 1hr Saturdays, not at ! all
> in October. Our bounce box mailed Monday from Skykomish had arrived by
> Saturday morning. Indeed we successfully mailed our bounce box between
> every re-supply stop in WA which gave equipment options for the fickle
> weather (tent, Gore-Tex, boots all in the box). A little further down the
> side of Lake Chelan (pron. "Shell-ann") is the lodge, store (poor
> re-supply) and restaurant. The restaurant says reservations required, but
> served us without - steak dinner $16, buffet breakfast $8. Outdoor suppli=
er
> (with fuel &some hiking food) just a little way uphill past the store. Th=
is
> is a nice, peaceful, relaxing place to hang out before the "final push".
>
> Manning Park
> We didn't stay but they do try to help PCT hikers. Best deal is a cabin
> split four ways ($30 each). Or camp 4 miles out as we did and eat breakfa=
st
> in the cafe. Main reception has the register. They'll tell you about the
> bus arrangements. Ignore what the guide book says about needing the right
> money, you buy your fare when you each the Hope depot. We stayed in Hope
> ($45 Canadian for a room) and did laundry, bought clothes at the thrift
> store, all easier here than in Vancouver. Buy the Greyhound fare as a
> through ride from Manning Park to Vancouver with a stop in Hope (rather
> than two tickets Manning-Hope, Hope-Vanc) and it's no more expensive.
>
>
>
>
>
>