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[pct-l] Report From Tehachapi, Walker Pass and the Sierras to Tahoe
I was out scouting some of the PCT trailheads and drove up along the
eastern side of the Sierras this weekend. You may be interested in this
info.
1) Tehachapi - trail crosses Hwy ~10 miles east of Tehachapi at Cameron
Canyon Rd and Hwy 58. Temperatures on Saturday, April 12 were 30-Lo,
82-Hi. Hwy 58 has lots of East/West Traffic. You should be able to
hitch a ride to Tehachapi (West) or Mojave (East). There were some
traces of recent activity on the trail, but not much. This area is dry,
dusty high desert without much water (see guidebook for details). This
section will be HOT in May.
2) Walker Pass - about 80 miles north of Tehachapi on the PCT.
Temperatures are mild, very nice and the Southern Sierra is
spectacular. This is the transition area where junipers, joshua trees,
scrubs and other cactii populate the area. Wildflowers are abundant and
the Joshua trees are in bloom. This should last for another 3 weeks.
Day hikers and PCT hikers are already signing the register at Walker
Pass. One hiker from the Netherlands and two other hikers from the East
Coast are moving on the PCT in this area. All other hikers are day
hikers. Walker Pass has a nice campground for PCT hikers. Onyx and
Lake Isabella are about 18 and 25 miles to the west. You should be able
to hitch a ride for supplies and restaurant. The Kern river flows into
Lake Isabella in Kernville, at the north end of the lake. The water
level is quite high and the Kern river is already wide. This is an
indication of the water content to the north of this area.
3) Eastern Sierra - If you think that starting your hike in May is too
late, dont worry. The area starting from about 10 miles south of Mt
Whitney and to the North is still in Mid Winter. There is a tremendous
amount of snow to the north. The road to the Mt Whitney trailhead at
Whitney-Portal is closed about 8 miles before the trailhead.
Temperatures in the Owens Valley and Mono Lake area were 70-Hi and
30-Low on Monday. The Tahoe area is freezing at night. There is snow
down to Hwy 395 near Mammoth Lakes. The Sierra from the eastern side
looks mighty, magical and inviting.
Hope this is helpful and hope to see some of you in June at Kennedy
Meadows.
Ernest Chavez
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