[pct-l] Oregon hike

[chelin at teleport.com (Sharon & Chuck Chelin)]

Good evening, Larry,

>From Crater Lake to the Columbia there are only a few stretches that are
even mildly inconvenient for finding water.  The part of the trail from the
Crater Lake rim road up to Thielsen Creek, just north of Mt. Thielsen, is
usually dry, and much of the 30 or so miles from Thielsen Creek up to Summit
Lake does not have a lot of convenient trail-side water.  Fortunately,
Thielsen Creek is reliable.  If it were not, Diamond Lake would get lots
more visitors.  Lack of water is not a serious threat anywhere because in
several places lakes are only a relatively short distance off-trail.  The
only real question is:  Is it better to carry some extra water and hike on,
or take the time to go off trail for an hour or so to find water?  Crater
Lake to Summit Lake usually requires 2-3 camps, unless you are really
booking big miles like the thru-hikers, so plan for the possibility of a few
dry camps.  From Summit Lake north to the Columbia has fairly abundant
water.  I seldom carry more than 1-2 liters north of Summit Lake.

As for the hiking time, just calculate the total miles and divide by a
realistic number of miles per day.  Be honest with your daily mileage
estimate.  Many casual hikers have trouble with more than 10-15 miles per
day, and that assumes a sensible load and minimal blisters or other physical
problems.

There is some very rewarding country in that area.  Enjoy.

Steel-Eye



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Canoe08057@aol.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 7:34 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Oregon hike


> Any thoughts on how long it would take an experienced weekend-type,
> middle-aged backpacker to go from Crater Lake to the Columbia River?
>
> Is there bus service from Klamath Falls to Crater Lake NP?
>
> Are we likely to be able to rely on the data book water sources in late
July
> and early August on this stretch of trail?
>
> Thanks for your advice!
>
> Larry
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