[pct-l] Hat Creek Rim conditions?

[plotnikoff at sjmercury.com (David Plotnikoff)]

Greetings from a long-time lurker and section hiker (who can never remember
which address he signed on with, so he's perpetually posting as a "guest")
...

In three weeks time, I'm going to dayhike the 30-mile stretch of Hat Creek
Rim (California Section N) from Hwy. 44 (Old Station) north to Crystal Lake
State Fish Hatchery (30 miles). Every year I do some special walk for the
solstice and this year the nicest thing I could think of to do for myself
was to get the infamous Hat Creek Rim behind me. (Section O, ahead, of
course, is a whole other kettle of misery ...)

Lassen NF staffers last week reported the trail to be clear of snow, with
no known obstacles or problems. Daytime temps in the region are in the high
70s. But one of their official backcountry rangers had yet to survey the
section this year. The report came secondhand from a couple of horsemen.

Has anyone walked this section recently? Poison oak, abrasive scrub brush,
nettles, red fine volcanic dust all still factors to consider? Any
route-finding problems with use trails, rogue jeep tracks, etc?

I'm going out with eight liters of water for 30 miles, in 14 hours. I'd
originally considered 12 liters, with the possibility that temps on the
exposed rim could get up to the 90s. But the thought of 24 lbs of water was
... extreme even for me.

Thanks in advance for your input.


And while I'm here, jumping back to a segment *before* Old Station -- does
anyone have any motel and restaurant picks for Chester? If you have a trail
town memory there that's very good or very bad with food and lodging, let
me know. Seems like too few thru-hikers consider Chester as a major town
stop, and that's a pity ...


DP

David Plotnikoff
Columnist/Asst. Business Editor
San Jose Mercury News
plotnikoff@sjmercury.com
voice: (408) 920-5867