[pct-l] March 5th & 6th PCT hike 74-Idyllwild: UPDATE

[msaenz at mve-architects.com (Mike Saenz)]

PCT Hike 3/5 & 3/6

UPDATE:

I just spoke to The ranger station in Idyllwild.
I'll be securing permits for approx. 6 people.
If more show up, we'll have to get permits for the additional people.

Here's the conditions update:

Snow on the unexposed faces are at the 6,300 foot level.
On the exposed side on the PCT from the 74 to Red Taquitz, the trail is
clear.
Snow occurs just north of Red Taquitz and gets deeper toward the
approach to Saddle Junction.
Between Skunk Cabbage and Saddle Junction, the snow is 24" deep, but the
trail has been beaten down to the point where it's passable (for now).

The trail from the 74 to Red Taquitz is on the sunny side, and Cedar
Spring is snow-less.

HAZARDOUS LOCATION

The ranger indicated that there is one stretch of the PCT where current
conditions are hazardous.
Just north of Red Taquitz, where the PCT swings due west for a mile or
two, the trail is icy. The ranger suggests crossing this portion by
three-man teams, ropes and crampons, leader/anchor method. This is the
current condition. By next month, the conditions may change.

The good news is that this is the only portion that will be require
careful passage. Once past, the trail drops into Taquitz Meadow, Skunk
Cabbage and Saddle Junction, 2 miles further.

I'll be getting updates from the Forest Service as time goes by. If the
next weather system adds more snow or ice to the trail, we can all
discuss if this is still do-able.

Erik, Monte, Phil and "t"- How much experience do you have with this
type of condition? Are you comfortable with a couple miles of ice on the
trail? With crampons and tying onto each other? I'm good with it, though
I'll have to rent crampons...


Also-
I found a web site near Idyllwild that has current weather conditions
and web cams:
http://www.jamesreserve.edu/index.lasso


-Oilcan



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