[pct-l] I-10- to Big Bear in November?

[shutterbugg313 at yahoo.com (Shutterbug steiner)]

On normal years the hike you are proposing would be very passable.  Because of the much appreciated early October snow the rangers are correct that some of that trail will be under ft of snow.  Very little ice from what I hear but fun snow shoeing.  Snow level is about 8000 ft level on the South facing slopes   - North facing could go as low as 6500 with more snow maybe tonight.  You could easily get to Onyx Summit which is only yards from rt 38.  Rt 38 is the first paved road and it is highly traveled and I would imagine an easy hitch.  If I remember correctly that would take your trail down to under 40 miles.  The next ten miles would be snowy --- but the trail behind Baldwin Lake should be snow free.  You could make a judgment call at Onyx how much further you can make.  Snow is melting fast and most of that section is facing south.  Instead of going all the way to Van Dusen the trail crosses Rt 18 which also is very busy (which would put your mileage around 55 miles).  I would
 recommend Snowshoes - and crampons and axe would be nice but hopefully not necessary.  as far as how much you are capable of doing --- going North from Rt 10 is quite the elevation gain ---- you might consider going from Big Bear/ 38/ 18 or Van Dusen South from trees to the desert --- that will allow you to have less strenuous miles which will make your trek more successful.  Onzx is the high point.
 
As for another "snow free PCT trail" - -Holcomb Valley, Hanna Flats to Green Valley had just under two feet of snow last week when I Xcountry skied it (all of these are close to BB or North).  Starting North of Green Valley there would be very little snow on the trail until Wrightwood ....... so hiking from Lake Arrowhead along Deep Creek, Lake Silverwood, Cleghorn Ridge and both sides of the 15 would be ice free..... some of this area is prone to mudslides and was in the burn area of the Old Fire last Oct --- so more desert / moon scape terrain.
 
I live in the area -- so let me know if you need any assistance.  - Email me off list and I might be able to help you with a shuttle.
 
Duane - shutterbugg.  

Peter <peter@onthecrest.com> wrote:
My son and I are going to be in Palm Springs, and we are looking at hiking
from San Gorgonio to Van Dusen Canyon Road--64 miles--beginning on the
afternoon of 11/15. The problem is we have only 5 days and I understand from
talking to National Park folk that there's already 2-3 feet of snow on most
of the distance. While my son is a fast hiker, I'm slow. Which sparks these
questions:

-- Is the 64 miles totally unrealistic, given the snow conditions?

-- How easy would it be to get to Route 38? How long is it likely to take?
Is that road passable? Is there sufficient traffic to viably hitchhike to
Big Bear?

--Is there any other road that comes close to the trail, by which we might
leave the trail and get to Big bear in an easy 5 days?

-- Are the conditions such that it'd be advisable to carry an ice ax? A GPS?

-- If this part of the PCT is not viable, given our time constraints, can
you suggest an alternative 30-40-mile hike from Big Bear north? How about
Big Bear to Hwy 173?

--Are there any N to S vs. S-N slants?

I would very much appreciate any suggestions regarding the above.

Peter "Powerful Tiger" Haskell


_______________________________________________
pct-l mailing list
pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
unsubscribe or change options:
http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l


			
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
 Check out the new Yahoo! Front Page. www.yahoo.com