[pct-l] Belden Trail Angels

[wandering_bob at comcast.net (Bob Bankhead)]

My Feb 2004 review as published in the ALDHA-West Gazette:

New Belden Trail Angels

By Wandering Bob Bankhead

 

When PCT hikers arrived in Belden California last July, they found something new had been added - Little Haven. This non-commercial hikers' respite is the home of trail angels Laurie and Brenda Braaten. These are experienced hikers, having section hiked the AT from 1995-99, and both The Long Trail and Grand Canyon twice. They open their home to hikers during the month of July - just right for you through-hikers. Laurie says any speed-demon hikers passing through in late June before they post their trailhead signs should call them from Belden to see if they can accommodate them. Little Haven is a work in progress, so be prepared for on-going construction projects. The summer of 2004 will be their second season of hosting PCT hikers. During June and July, you can call them at (530)-283-9880 or email them anytime at LJBraaten@aol.com.

 

 

Little Haven sits on 5 acres 1.1 miles east of the Belden bridge, along the Feather River Highway. For reference, the PO is 0.7 mile west  of the bridge. Laurie and Brenda invite hikers into their home for one night, possibly longer if you're willing to help with the remodeling as the place is developed. They will pick you up in Belden if you call them when you get to the resort. They keep a supply of Coleman fuel and denatured alcohol for hikers.  Shuttle service is also available to the PO, trailheads, or the Caribou Corners Store, about ? mile east of Little Haven.  Caribou Corners has a laundry, a restaurant, TV, phones, and some hiker's supplies. 

 

The guest quarters have a single bedroom with a couple of mattresses, a self-service kitchen with the usual appliances, table and chairs, an unfurnished living room, and a deck. There is a bathroom with shower for those who need it. Laundry service is  not available so you'll need to do that at Caribou Corners or the Belden Resort; also no TV or internet. Last summer they hosted about 100 hikers. If you have a phone card, their phone is available for short calls to let the outside world know you are still alive.

 

Animals are not allowed in the house but they can stay outside if properly tended and trained not to bark or growl at, or bite others. There are no pens so dogs must be tied up at night. You may be required to camp outside overnight. If you have horses or pack animals, there is a corral at the Belden trailhead  and adequate camping space; Little Haven has no facilities for them and the highway would be a dangerous walk for them.

 

Little Haven has very limited storage space so can't hold everyone's re-supply packages, and the mice know where the front porch is, so you're better off to send your package to the PO. They will hold packages for you if you anticipate a weekend arrival  - the Belden PO is closed weekends. They prefer you use the US mail and recommend you address your package as follows so either you or they can pick it up.

 

                                    Hiker's Name

                                    c/o Laurie or Brenda Braaten

                                    General Delivery

                                    Belden, CA 95915

 

Trail Angels everywhere host us tired, filthy, smelly hikers out of the kindness of their hearts, not for money. It is therefore our responsibility to remember our manners so that those who follow us will continue to receive the same warm welcome we got. Happy trails