[pct-l] Southern California PCT Guide Updates

[benschif at sonnet.com (Benjamin Schifrin)]

I apologize the PCT Community, especially the Class of ?04, for getting 
these updates to PCT: Southern California (2001: 6th Ed) out to you so 
late, this year. I?d hoped to give this years? class some hard copies 
at ADZKOP, but, due to last-minute work snafu?s, I wasn?t able to make 
it down there, this year?BooHoo.

I?ve just appended the entire update to this email. If you?d like it in 
a different format, such as Word, RTF, TextEdit, AppleWorks, etc, just 
contact me off-list. I could also send hard-copies to those of you 
already out on the trail.

What is included below is just the SoCal sections. There is nothing new 
on the JMT Sections, (Sections G&H); there rarely is, and most 
thru-hikers wouldn?t notice anyway, due to the snow.

I will get revisions to PCT: NorCal, and PCT:OreWash out (Promise!) 
before June 1. I?ve been procrastinating on them all winter.

First, a little editorializing, based on over 30 years of PCT-watching:

1. Water: It is going to be a fairly dry, but not painfully dry hiking 
year in So Cal. I have checked every major stream and spring. They are 
running, and will continue to run for the main herd, those who make it 
to Kennedy Meadows (south) by June 15. But, many smaller streams and 
season springs are already quite low. Thankfully, the long dry 
stretches have the already-established enormous water caches, and there 
has been an explosion of mini-water stashes by local trail-angels, so 
the overall water strategy for most hikers will be unchanged. From 
Tahoe north, you?ll have an average year. But carry a couple quarts at 
all times. As in past years, I?ve put out about 200 cans of beer at 
strategic locations?they?re yours?just carry out the empties.

2. Snow. This will be an easy year for snow, both on Fuller Ridge, 
which was already easily passable by mid-March, as well as Onyx Summit 
(just patches as of 3 weeks ago) and Baden-Powell (always has some, but 
at least the point-runners won?t be tempted to walk the highway). Very 
little is likely to happen now, to prevent the under-100-day set to 
make early entry to the Sierra. The rains and snows we?ve had in the 
last 3 weeks will not delay melt of the snow pack; they?ll just keep 
things green a little longer. If you know your way around snow and 
swift-water, June 1 will not be an illogical time to hit the Mt.Whitney 
area. There seems to be a persistent myth, however, particularly among 
the east coast crowd, that the Sierra entry date means that you won?t 
walk on snow, after then. You will. Lots of it. You just don?t want to 
enter when you?re likely to be post-holing. But, as of March 30, there 
were very low water levels in all streams south of Kennedy Meadows, and 
only inches-deep patches of snow on north-facing slopes. It should be a 
nice High Sierra year for those reaching Kennedy Meadows at the 
traditional June 15 date. Don?t be intimidated by small snow dumps, 
which will happen at any high-point, in any section?they?ll melt off 
within 2 days.

3. Kennedy Meadows is an armpit. It is a lousy place to stage for the 
Sierras. If you don?t want to enter the Sierra too early, just take a 
slower pace thru SoCal. Stay at the Saufley?s or with one of the other 
wonderful trail angels! Anyone can later do 30 mile days, north of 
Tahoe, to make up for a slower starting pace.

4. A lot of Trailers worry about Mexican illegals. Don?t. They?re 
scared to death of you. But, they are more common than deer, south of 
the San Jacintos. As are Border Patrol agents.

5. Towns, stores and hotels: Mostly, PCTers are welcome clients in 
trail towns. But folks, we?re getting a little bit of an Ugly-American 
reputation, in some small towns and some specific locations. Think 
about it?there will be about 400 of you, moving into these little burgs 
at about the same time. These towns and their stores survive mostly on 
tourist dollars, and if you spend lots of money, at the same time that 
you are lounging at their entrances, smelling scruffy and looking 
decidedly seedy and un-tourist like to their other, clean, 
Winnebago-driving clients, you will remain welcome. But when you spend 
8 hours lounging there, repacking your bounce box and doing your dirty 
laundry in their bathrooms, and then only buy one can of Coke, some 
owners are getting pissed. This is direct feedback I?ve had from a 
large handful of proprietors. So, instead of giving Trailers a bad 
name?spend some money!  Enjoy the towns! Have a good overpriced meal 
and a few bewskis? you will be relaxing AND making friends! If you?re 
not going to be a real customer, be discreet, and don?t hang out on the 
front porch!

6. The Glacier Peak Reroute: I know a lot of hikers are nervous about 
this. Don?t be. By the time you get there, the USFS will have the route 
marked and crews will have done some brush- and tread-work, Hopefully, 
I can get up there before you, and write a little set of route 
descriptions. I will post them to this list. For an overview of the 
route, hop on the Web and go to: www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/pct/. The 
route is a fair one, and tough (I?ve been on a bit of it), but it IS 
NOT THE PCT. So, I suggest an alternative (heretical as it is): just 
hike the original trail. It is better. It is harder, breath-takingly 
scenic, and suitably remote. It is the gem of northern Washington. 
You?ll only have 2 real obstacles: the two bridges, which are 
washed-out at Milk Creek and the Suiattle River. Milk Creek is small, 
steep, narrow, and fast, quite similar to many streams you will have 
already crossed at spring flood in the High Sierra. The Suiattle River 
is big, broad, gravelly and shallow. Both are now braided and choked 
with debris after last October?s floods. Each can be crossed in early 
morning, or later on a cool, cloudy day, using a pole or stick and 
basic river-crossing techniques. Just time your crossing to avoid 
late-day glacial melt, or rain-swollen conditions. They are suitable 
challenges for the end of your long trek.

7. The Lions? Roar Challenge: You?ll see deer. You?lI see rattlesnakes. 
You?ll see bears, although more likely in Washington, than along the 
Muir Trail (where everyone is worried about ?em). You are unlikely (and 
lucky!) to see a mountain lion. But, did you know that there are at 
least five places ON THE PCT where you can hear the roar of a live 
African lion or a tiger? I?ll bet you can name one of them, quite 
easily. If you can name all five places, I?ll buy you one of those 
spiffy technofeatherlight pieces of camping gear that you?ll be lusting 
after at the ADZKOP. Write or email me your answers!

8. As always, if we can help you with trail logistics, post offices, 
showers, laundry, internet, stores, steak dinners or beer in the Sonora 
Pass vicinity  (mile 1016), please give us a holler.

Now, on to the MEAT:

P 19: Equipment: These are Jeff?s choices. We are Old School. 
Certainly, modern-day lightweight hikers will have more-minimalist 
ideas!

P 20 Number 8: Wearing two pairs of socks is not necessarily the best 
prevention for blisters, but you should certainly have a practiced 
strategy before you start the hike. Read John Vonhof?s outstanding 
book, ?Fixing Your Feet? (ISBN 0-9657386-0-4) for different, useful 
blister prevention techniques from hundreds of experienced 
outdoorspeople.

P 25 Col 2, Par 3: Rabies is not a problem for humans contacting 
squirrels and other rodents, even though they occasionally harbor it.

P 27, Col 1: Cougars have now been responsible for attack on a small 
number of hikers, picnickers and mountain-bikers, from the Cuyamaca 
Mountains of southern California, up to British Columbia. There seems 
to be very little in common between the circumstances of the various 
attacks?people have been attacked even in groups. Experts agree, 
however, that you should struggle to stave off an attack, and to 
prevent one, you should act large, loud, and threatening, and never 
turn your back on these fast-moving creatures.

P 27 Col 2: Bears: First sentence: Jeff (a northern Californian) can?t 
get his head around the idea that black bears are numerous in southern 
California. They have been responsible for innumerable marauded camps 
along all mountainous stretches of the PCT. Through-hikers will see few 
of them, either in southern California or the Sierra, because they will 
be traversing though these areas well before the hordes of food-laden 
hikers of the traditional outdoor seasons.

P 28: Col 2: Bearbagging: In the absence of cables or metal posts to 
hang food bags from, bearbagging has proven itself to be largely 
unsuccessful and impractical. I suggest another strategy.

P 31: A more-modern concept of outdoor medical problems has evolved: 
Please substitute:
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is the progressive mental and physical collapse that 
accompanies chilling of the human body?s inner core. It is caused by 
exposure to cold, but in fit hikers, almost always requires wetness, 
wind, and dehydration to start the process . Hypothermia almost always 
occurs at temperatures well above freezing. Anyone in wet and windy 
conditions is a potential victim. If you experience a bout of 
uncontrolled shivering, you should seriously consider yourself a 
candidate for hypothermia and take appropriate measures.

The best defense against hypothermia is to avoid exposure. Stay dry. 
It?s always a good idea to carry raingear. Be aware of the wind. Even a 
slight breeze carries heat away from your body. A hat or ski cap, 
preferably made of wool or synthetic, should be worn to retain heat in 
the most vulnerable area, the brain.

If your party fails to take these precautionary steps, a hiker with 
hypothermia may progress to more advanced symptoms, which include 
slurred speech, drowsiness, amnesia, frequent stumbling, a decrease in 
shivering, and finally, loss of consciousness and death. It is more 
dangerous to hike alone than in a group. You will probably not 
recognize the signs of hypothermia in yourself and, if you do, you will 
have a harder time protecting your body heat than if you have others to 
help you. If weather gets too bad, stay put in a sheltered area and 
keep warm and dry, before hypothermia has a chance to take its toll.

Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness may occur at elevations above about 8000 feet, a 
result of exposure to the oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Symptoms include 
fatigue, weakness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and 
shortness of breath on exertion. Sleep may be difficult for the first 
few nights. As the body adjusts to the lower oxygen pressure, symptoms 
usually disappear. Rest and drinking extra liquids are recommended. If 
symptoms persist or worsen, descend to lower altitudes.

High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema
However uncommon, this is a potentially fatal condition. It is a 
serious form of altitude sickness, and shares its early symptoms. 
However, in the case of pulmonary edema, reduced oxygen causes leakage 
of fluid into the lungs? air spaces, leading to progressive breathing 
difficulty. The victim is short of breath, coughs, and eventually 
brings up frothy, blood-tinged sputum. The only treatment is immediate 
descent to at least 2000 feet lower and, if available, administration 
of oxygen. You should secure medical help as soon as possible.

P 67, Col 2, Par 2: Supplies: The desert hamlet of Shelter Valley is 
home to Stagecoach Trails Resort, with a small convenience store, 
phone, showers, laundry, and breezy RV campsites that are suitable to 
hikers and equestrians. They are very friendly to Trailers, and are 
found conveniently 3.1 miles southeast on paved Highway S2, which the 
PCT strikes in San Felipe Valley at mile 76.9. For a short stay, it is 
a reasonable alternative to Julian, Banner or Borrego Springs.

P 67 Col 2, Par 3: Warner Springs; Has a very small convenience store, 
with an extremely limited selection. The owners seem to be making an 
effort to stock items of use to PCT hikers, and deserve your patronage. 
Possibly, one could purchase enough to get through to Anza. Warner 
Springs Ranch has simple bungalow rooms for hikers for a reduced 
charge. They lack both a phone and a TV.

P 72, Map A3: Change name ?Lake Morena County Park? to, ?John 
Lyons-Lake Morena Regional Park?.

P 73, Map A4: The caption is an editor?s error. The route as currently 
drawn, is still in use.

P 74, Map A5: Omit all buildings at Boulder Oaks.

P 74, Col 1, par 2, Line 9: The gate and fence at Lakeshore Drive are 
now gone.

P 74, Col 1, last line: It is named, Lake Morena Drive, not Road.

P 78-79: 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, from my topo.

P 78, Map A8: The October 2003 Cedar Fire burned the entire trail north 
of the Al Bahr Shrine Camp vicinity.

P 81, Col 1, Water Access: Laguna/El Prado Campground: Since the 
devastating October 2003 Cedar Fire, this campground is the last 
unburned campsite on or near the trail until you reach Chariot Canyon. 
It has comfy pines, toilets and water.

P 81, Col 1, par 2, Line 5: Dirt Road to Oasis Spring: Vegetation 
around the spring itself is unburned, but camping is difficult. Most of 
the PCT northbound to Chariot Canyon is heavily burned, especially the 
beautiful pine groves on Garnet Peak. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, to 
the west, was devastated, with 24,614 acres burned.

P 81, Col 1, Par 3: Water Access at GATR Road/Penny Pines: As of April 
20, USFS has access to the well blocked by a fence, and the well is 
turned off.

P 81, Col 2, Par 3: Pioneer Mail: 2003?s Cedar fire has burned most of 
what escaped 2002?s Pines Fire, except for a welcome island of shady 
trees around surrounding the picnic area itself, which still affords 
nice camping. The water trough is now utterly exposed, but water 
supplies are reliable throughout the hiking season.

P 82, Map A9: Add ?Lucky 5? water cache site by ?R? in ?Anza-Borrego 
DeseRt State Park?

P 83, Col 2, last line: ?Lucky 5? Water Cache is just below the Sunrise 
Highway, at its junction with Deer Park Road at the head of Rattlesnake 
Valley. It is reliably replenished throughout the spring hiking season. 
The Pines Fire and Cedar Fire met here, and burned very hot.

P 84, Col 2, Par 2, Line 8: Emergency water: Since the 2002 Pines Fire, 
this water tank has NOT been replenished.

Page 86, Map A10: Note, ?water tank? on map, just west of PCT crossing 
of Rodriguez Spur Truck Trail.

P 87, Col 1, Water Access: There are actually two reliable water 
sources here. Just left, southwest and above the saddle junction, a 
concrete firewater tank sits 125 feet up from the road. It has water 
for the 2004 season.  Farther down, the clapboard house of Right Fender 
Ranch is gone, but the spring and pollywog-inhabited pond remain, 
oozing from an old mine. The well no longer has a blue barrel, but the 
water is reliable, although now hidden by heavy growth of nettles and 
protected by a barbed-wire fence. Water can often be had from the 
nearby road culvert, without hazarding the weeds.

P 87, Col 2, Line 2: Granite Mountain: The area was mostly burned by 
the 2002 Pines Fire.

P 88, Col 1, Line 5: Highway 52 should be, Highway S2. See the above 
info for P 67, Col 2, Par 2: Supplies, for the Stagecoach Trails 
Resort, which is 3.1 miles southeast.

P 93, Col 2, Par 2, last line: Barrel Springs: The spring flow should 
last through the June 2004 hiking season. The locale is recovering from 
ravages of the 2003 Pines Fire; live oaks do afford some welcome shade.

P 100, Supplies: Col 2: Omit the listed web site and email for Kamp 
Anza Kampground. It is the email for Pat & Paul?s Hikers? Oasis, which 
is on Gassner Road, essentially behind and uphill of Kamp Anza (see 
Page 109, Col 2)

P 101, Col 1, Par 2: The Pink Motel: This trail angels? site is just 
0.9 mile north of the end of this section, and is used as a resupply 
point by most through-hikers. See P 131, Col 1, Par 1. Additionally, a 
huge hotel annex is currently being added to the Morongo Indian Casino 
in Cabazon. In 2005, it may afford a bit of luxury for those who are 
completing the first 2 weeks of their northward journey.

P 101, Col 1, Water: During the ?normal? through-hiking season, the 
Hikers? Oasis water cache at Table Mountain Truck Trail (34.2 miles 
into Section B) is reliably stocked, for those who are not detouring 
into Anza.

P 105, Col 1, End of par 1: Omitted in 6th edition: Add: Eventually, 
you strike dirt Lost Valley Road (4170-2.1).

P 105, Col 1, par 4, Line 11: This area has burned again, in the Coyote 
fire of summer 2003. You will find charred brush all the way from here, 
north to the head of Tule Canyon, a distance of about 10 miles.

P 105, Col 2, par 2: Water Access: The water tank mentioned here has 
been empty for the last 3 seasons. Thankfully, a local trail angel 
(named Jack) water cache is usually found immediately north of the 
crossing of Chihuahua Valley Road. If desperate, you can walk west down 
Chihuahua Valley Road past San Diego State University?s Sky Oaks 
Biological Field Station to a concrete fire tank. It is just above the 
road, 2.5 miles from the PCT.

P 109, Col 1, par 2, Water Access: An editing error: First sentence 
should read, ?The reason that this jeep road is so important??

P 111, Col 2, par 2: Water Access: The Paradise Corner Restaurant has 
been quite hospitable to PCT hikers. As well as good food, they leave a 
water spigot available during off hours, and have some sunny picnic 
tables.

P 112- 122: Maps B-6 through B-11: add name and boundary for Santa Rosa 
and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

P 113, Col 2, Second to last line: another saddle: Recent reports are 
that the trail south from this saddle down to Eagle Spring, has been 
rehabilitated, and that the local rancher who owns the spring now 
allows public access. If anyone can confirm this for the 2004 season, 
please contact me.

P 114, Map B8: Add trail from Spitler Saddle to Apple Cyn Rd. Also, 
change name, ?Southwell Peak? to, ?South Peak?.

P 115, Map B7: Omit trails drawn from Cedar Spring west to PCT, and 
from Cedar Spring north to 4E04. Also, add trail from Spitler Saddle to 
Apple Cyn Rd, and new alignment of Fobes Ranch Trail to meet road just 
south of Fobes Ranch. Add rehabilitated Eagle Spring Trail.

P 116, Col 1, Par 2, Line 16: A recent trail, poorly-signed, now leaves 
the col between Apache and Spitler Peaks. It descends via a lengthy 
route to Apple Canyon Road.

P 116, Col 1, par 3: Water Access: Another spring has been reported, 
just west of the trail in this vicinity. If it is encountered during 
the 2004 season, please contact me.

P 118, Col 1, Par 1: San Jacinto State Park: Snow conditions in the San 
Jacintos can change rapidly. Long Valley Ranger Station (at about 8400? 
near the top of the Tramway from Palm Springs) record a weather and 
snow information message daily. The telephone number is: (760) 
327-0222.

P 123, Col 2, par 2, Line 11: should be, ?treadless?.

P 124, Section C Map: Add new San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary.

P 128, Supplies: Add the Middleton?s ?Pink Motel?, as discussed on P 
131, Col 1, Par 1. It is 0.9 miles north into this section.

P 128, Col 2, 4th Line from bottom: Summit Valley Store: has been 
closed since 2002.

P 129, Col 1, Par 2: the previous ECONOmy Inn is now the Best Western 
at Cajon Pass, 8317 U.S. Hwy 138 at I-15 Freeway, Phelan, CA 92371. New 
management is still very helpful to hikers, and the entire facility was 
renovated. Call the same phone number, or fax 760 249-1030 for 
arrangements.

P 129, Col 1, par 3: Wrightwood Supplies: The hardware store in 
Wrightwood accepts hiker packages, and has the PCT Register. This might 
be convenient for those who are coming to town when the Post Office is 
closed. US Post Office Address: Mountain Hardware, PO Box 398, 
Wrightwood, CA  92397. UPS Address: Mountain Hardware, 1390 Hwy 2, 
Wrightwood, CA  92397. Phone:  760-249-3653

P 131, Col 2, par 4, 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?

P 133, Map C1: Add Pink Motel at eastern edge of Section 6. Also add 
new San Gorgonio Wilderness (BLM) boundary.

P 134, bottom: Omit ?See Map C1?

P 135, Map C2: Add new boundary of San Gorgonio Wilderness Area.

P 136, Col 1, Par 3, Line 4, Sentence 2-5: 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 138, Map C4: add new San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary. Add new 
alignment of trail Sec 35 at head of Mission Creek.

P 140, Col 2, Par 1, Line 11: Five-way junction is now just inside the 
gate of a private ranch, with multiple cabins. Moments later, you walk 
past one of five ?animal actors? compounds that are located within 
roaring-distance of the PCT.

P 141, Col 1, Par 2, Line 1: A jeep trail is crossed, which leads 
southwest up to Camp Oakes.

P 142, Col 2, Line 1: Highway 18: Those hitchhiking to Big Bear for 
resupply often to prefer to leave the trail, here.

P 144, Col 2, Par 5: Resupply Access: Some have complained that it is 
difficult to hitchhike on this route; the author has not had problems. 
It is a nice walk, anyway.

P 145, Map C8: Change Road numbers on 3N08 to the new designator, 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 146, Map C10: insert ?Bench Camp? as indicated, along lower Holcomb 
Creek.

P 148, Col 2, Par 2, Line 13: Deep Creek Bridge. Also called Splinter?s 
Bridge. The east side of the bridge was heavily damaged by a fallen 
ponderosa pine after the horrendous Old Fire of October, 2003. The 
bridge is officially closed, but still sturdy and passable to foot 
traffic that might desire to use it by shimmying 10 feet across he 
remaining steel member. This winter, volunteers built 3 small new 
switchbacks down to a ford of Deep Creek, just upstream of the span. 
For better or worse, the deep, clear trout-filled pools that once 
existed here were filled in during the winter of 2003-04 by silt from 
adjacent burned-bare hillsides. This has created an easy, sandy 
ankle-deep ford, after which 2 tiny switchbacks lead back up to the old 
PCT, branching right.

Many areas just to the south of the Splinter?s Cabin area, and much 
more to the north, burned extremely hot in the Old Fire. For 2004 you 
will walk through some areas that were reduced to twigs and trunks, 
elsewhere, there are smaller, unburned islands of vegetation, and still 
other spots had only ground fires. Note how the fire scorched the 
needles of conifers, resulting in their deaths, even without actually 
burning the trees. However, similarly-injured black oaks are already 
resprouting from their bases. It will be a few generations before the 
forest returns to its pre-2003 state, but the chaparral areas are 
already generating themselves?they are the only California ecosystem to 
immediately succeed itself after a wildfire. In all, the results of the 
2003 wildfire season will severely test the resolve of the Class of 
2004. Many nice campsites, and many shady refuges were destroyed by 
these mammoth blazes. Erosion, sloughs and trail washouts will make the 
burned hillsides traversed by the PCT a particular trial.

Above Deep Creek Bridge, the Splinter?s trailhead picnic area was, 
mercifully, unburned, and still affords shady camping. As of mid-April, 
2004, the road down to the parking area was closed, but it is still an 
easy walk up to unburned Cedar Glen for resupply. Almost the entire 
community of homes on Hook Creek Road was consumed in the Old fire?s 
firestorm?only chimneys, and incinerated autos and appliances remain. 
It is an awesome example of the power of wildland fire.

P 149, Map C11: mark ?Splinters Cabin Trailhead?, and redraw Hook Creek 
Road 2N26Y as paved to Hooks Creek ford. Also remark Bacon Flats Rd as 
?3N34D? and mark Devil?s Hole.

P 150: Map C13: Add alternative route atop the dam.

P 153, Col 1, Par 3: Resupply Access: Summit Valley Country Store has 
sadly been out of business since 2001.

P 153, Col 1, Par 4, Line 3: In the middle of Section 33, the PCT comes 
back into charcoal-black chaparral burned by the immense Old Fire of 
2003. Most of the way from here, through Silverwood Lake State 
Recreation Area and into Horsethief Canyon, a distance of about 16 
miles, was devastated by the blaze. Expect no shade, and numerous trail 
washouts.

P 154, Col 2, par 2, Line 5: Cleghorn Picnic Area and Silverwood Lake 
Recreation Area: Due to fire damage and resultant floods, the park 
facilities will remain closed for the 2004 season. However, personnel 
have reestablished running water at spigots  in the picnic area. 
Additionally, the parks ranger station, 0.5 mile west on Cleghorn Road 
2N47, has a hose and a drinking fountain for hikers. Review the park?s 
website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=650, for updated conditions.

P 155, Col 1, Resupply Access: All of these facilities are closed in 
2004.

P 155, Col 2, Last sentence: The resumption of trail has been 
obliterated by mudflows. Instead, continue west gently up Cleghorn Road 
2N47, soon passing the ranger?s quarters (water here), step northwest 
across shallow, seasonal Mojave River, and soon see PCT trail tread 
traversing close to the road on the hillside to your north.

P 159, Map C16: The black trail line has a registration problem: it was 
printed about one twelfth of an inch too low (southward).

Page 159, Col 2: Resupply Access:  The Economy Inn is now a Best 
Western hotel, as mentioned, above.

P 164, Col 1, Par 2: Wrightwood Supplies: The hardware store in 
Wrightwood accepts hiker packages, and has the PCT Register. This might 
be convenient for those who are coming to town when the Post Office is 
closed. US Post Office Address: Mountain Hardware, PO Box 398, 
Wrightwood, CA  92397. UPS Address: Mountain Hardware, 1390 Hwy 2, 
Wrightwood, CA  92397. Phone:  760-249-3653

P 164, Supplies, Col 2, Line 7: Agua Dulce is now not only home to The 
Supreme Hostess Of All PCT Trail Angels, but as of 2003 now has The 
Best Grocery Store On The Entire PCT. It has a complete range of trail 
food items, gourmet snacks and a full delicatessen, as well as adequate 
first-aid supplies. Enjoy!

P 167, Col 1, 4th Line from bottom: Bike Springs: Another wonderful 
Trail Ratz water cache will be reliably present here throughout the 
2004 hiking season.

P 167, Col 2, par 1, Line 1: The 59,000-acre Grand Prix Fire, like the 
Old Fire to the east of Cajon Pass, exploded in October 2003. It 
resulted in the destruction of 135 homes, and cost $12 million to 
suppress. Thankfully, it burned little of the PCT, starting at about 
4400? above Bike Springs, and extending west to Sharpless Ranch Road, a 
distance of about 1.25 miles. Another burned patch is close to the 
trail, but most of the raged on the south side of Lytle Creek Ridge.

P 172, Map D5: add Dawson Saddle Trail from shoulder of Throop Peak.

P 174, 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 174, Col 1, Par 1, Line 14: Little Jimmy Campground was burned by a 
recent fire, but is still in service.

P 177, Col 2, 3rd Line from bottom: Pacifico Campground has no 
?official? water, but there is a self-filling ?guzzler? rainwater 
catch-tank, intended for wildlife, which will have some water for a 
month after a generous rain. You will find similar tanks in many 
locations throughout Angeles National Forest.

P 183, Map D10: Move location of Big Buck Trail Camp to Road 4N24.

P 185: Vasquez rocks photo: should be moved to P 189

P 186, Map D13: Mark new PCT route across Soledad Canyon floor. Also 
draw new PCT tread through Vasquez Rocks County Park.

P 189: Soledad Canyon photo: Should be moved to P 187.

P 189, Col 2, 5th Line from bottom: Darling Road: The large new grocery 
store is just south of this junction.

P 194: Supplies: Agua Dulce is now not only home to The Supreme Hostess 
Of All PCT Trail Angels, but as of 2003 now has The Best Grocery Store 
On The Entire PCT. It has a complete range of trail food items, gourmet 
snacks and a full delicatessen, as well as adequate first-aid supplies. 
Enjoy!

P 194: Supplies: Col 2, Par 2: The County Store was briefly closed, but 
has reopened as Gil?s Country Store. It has the same range of supplies, 
but no longer holds hiker?s packages.

P 194, Col 2, par 2: Highway 138 is also the location of trail angels 
Richard and Roberta Skaggs? Hikertown, which hosts PCT through-hikers. 
This ranch was owned by PCT Legend Jack Fair before his tragic suicide. 
It is now hosted on-site by Bob Mayon. It offers water, a bunkhouse, 
showers, laundry, cold drinks and a small hikers-only store. It is home 
to a rapidly-growing menagerie. They have a cool lawn and shady 
trailers for sleeping. Hikertown will hold your cache boxes. Send them 
to: Richard Skaggs, 26803 W. Ave C-15, Lancaster, CA 93536, Phone: 
661-724-0086. Visit the website at: 
http://members.ispwest.com/3points/mayon2.index.html. Hikertown has 
been extensively renovated since its 2003 opening season, and is still 
a work-in-progress (you may be asked to help with some light chores!) 
Please stop in, and thank the Skaggs and Bob for their generous and 
vital assistance.

P 204, 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 205, Map E5: Re-label road as, ?Elizabeth Lake Road?.

P 208, Map E8: Add jeep road at Liebre Mtn summit, and Red Rock Water 
Tank.

P 209, Map E7: Add Fish Creek Canyon Trail Camp, and Maxwell Trail 
Camp, and water tank at road junction on west edge of map.

P 210, Map E9: add water tank near Bear Campground.

P 212, Map E10, Bottom: Add, "See Map E8" by the words "Pine Canyon."

P 213, Col 2, par 1, Last Line: Pine Canyon Road: Bob Mayon from 
Hikertown has dug out a small pond in the creek bed at the trailhead. 
It should hold water throughout the traditional hiking season. There is 
also a reliable water cache here.

P 212, Map E10: Add location of The Country Store, and Hikertown and 
mark 269th Street West and Neenach School Road. Also change location of 
Neenach Elementary School. Also mark 260th Street West as paved.

P 214, Col 2, Par 2, Line 5 from bottom: Highway 138: Richard Skaggs? 
Hikertown trail angel site, with permanent water, sits on the northeast 
corner of the intersection. Gil?s Country Store is 1.3 miles west on 
Route 138.

P 215, Col 1, Water and resupply access: Note that, as of Spring 2004, 
Gil?s Country Store is not accepting hiker packages.

P 217, 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. Mark 
location of shelter at Cottonwood Bridge.

P 218, Col 1, Water Access: The horse trough was capped with concrete 
in late 2003, but has a brass spigot. Winter-time hikers may find it 
turned off, when annual aqueduct maintenance occurs. In the past, 
authorities have always turned it on in time for the late-April and May 
hiking season, and it is often supplemented with water caches from 
Hikertown. The covered water trough is more hygienic, but inconvenient 
for equestrians?you will now need a bucket from which to water your 
animals.

P 218, Col 1, Par 3, Line 2: Volunteers have constructed a trail camp, 
with a 7-foot-wide by 8-foot tall steel roofed lean-to shade shelter. 
It has room for 3-4 hikers. It is located just east of and below the 
bridge. A ?Trail Camp? sign is on the road.

P 218, Col 2, Par 2, Line 12: Should read, ??Section 33/34 line??

P 218, Col 2, Par 2, last sentence: The trail from Section 33-34 to 
27-28 is now on jeep road, not adjacent to it, due to hiker disuse and 
destruction by motorcycles.

P 222: Map E14: Mark new trail alignment above Pitney Canyon.

	
Good Luck & Have Fun

Ben Schifrin & Nancy & Min
17360 Highgrade Lane
Sonora CA 95370
209 586-5767
benschif@sonnet.com
benschif@direcway.com