[pct-l] flip flop Aldhawest Enterprise Amtrak United

[wandering_bob at comcast.net (Bob Bankhead)]

As Monty rightly points out, My article from the ALDHA-West Gazette was 
published in volumes 5 and 6 in 2001. It is definitely out of date. I also 
did a series of updates for the Gazette over the years.
volume 7 #1 Winter 2002
volume 8 #3 Summer 2003
volume 9 #4 Winter 2004 - loss of Greyhound services to OR & WA

You can reach Vancouver BC from Bakersfield, CA in the following ways: 
Greyhound is faster but Amtrack is more comfortable. Unless you purchase a 
sleeper car for the 2 nights on Amtrak (very big $$), you'll have to pay for 
your meals enroute on both carriers. Note that only Greyhound can get you to 
Vancouver in time (4:10 am) to connect with Greyhound Canada to Manning Park 
(6:45 am) without an over night stay. My experience with Bakersfield has 
been that you'll spend at least one night there because the Coast Starlight 
from Sacramento to Seattle will be sold out. Greyhound can probably 
accommodate you, even at the  last minute. BUT...you still have top get to 
Bakersfield from the trail. I don't have the schedule for the local bus 
between Mojave and Bakersfield, but White's Motel in Mojave will.

Greyhound USA:
http://www.greyhound.com/
Standard fare  $135
7 day advanced purchase fare $69
3 buses -  takes 30 hours total with 2 transfers in Sacramento and Seattle
leave 1030 am    arrive 4:10am the next day
leave 1:05 pm     arrive 6:35 pm the next day
leave 2:40 pm     arrive 10:25 pm the next day



AMTRAK
http://www.amtrak.com/
2 travel possibilities: both about 30 hours
Fare = $ 107 on both.(reserved coach)
(1) 2 trains and a bus
Leave 5:40 pm
Arrives 12:20 am 2 days later

(2) 3 trains
Leaves 5:40 pm
Arrives  11:40 am  two days later



Once you get to Vancouver BC, you have to catch Greyhound Canada over to 
Manning Park Lodge. http://www.greyhound.ca/en/ or call (800) 661-8747 
(800-661-TRIP) for additional schedule and fare information.
Fare is $37.45
3 buses run every day and  take 3 to 4 hours
Leave 0010 am      arrives 3:07 am...........3 hours
Leave 6:15 am       arrives 10:10 am.........4 hours
Leave 6:45 am       arrives 10:10 am.........3 hours

2 buses that don't run on Saturdays
Leaves 5:00 pm    arrives 9:25 pm.............4 hours
Leaves 6:00 pm    arrives 9:25 pm..............3 hours


Airplane travel is beyond the scope and cost containments of this 
discussion - for most through-hikers. If not, search the web on your own.

Wandering Bob
Defacto Travel Agent