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[pct-l] Spring 1998 PCT Updates
Good Morning, Campers!
I decided to post my Spring 1998 Updates to Edition 5 of the Pacific Crest
Trail book, here on the 'net. If you want a hard copy, just write to
Wilderness Press: 2440 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-- they'll send one
as soon as it is printed. (I've also attached it in WP Mac and WP Windows
formats).
PLEASE write, email or call ME with ANY suggestions that you might have,
concerning the book. We REALLY want to make it better, for YOU!
Good Luck out there!
Ben Schifrin
Wilderness Press
17360 Highgrade Lane
Sonora CA 95370
209 586-5767
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific Crest Trail Volume 1
Updates 1998
A new National Forest Adventure Pass system for Angeles, Cleveland, Los
Padres and San Bernardino National Forests went into effect June 16, 1997.
The pass is required for all vehicles, if parking along roads in those
forests. It is not required for PCT travelers, per se. Cost is $5 per visit
or $30 per year, per forest. Plans are to return 85% of collected monies to
the individual forest for human-use enhancing projects. Passes can be
purchased from the USFS, from southern California outdoor shops and
multiple vendors near or in the forests.
P 46, Supplies: Campo now also has a ranch supply store, with most
equestrian needs. A PCT Association trail register is kept at the post
office. Cameron Corners, one mile north of Campo on Highway 94, has a hot
dog stand, a convenience store and a branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
P48, Col 1, Line 17: Fifty feet south of the border monument, another dirt
road has been bulldozed, parallel to the border. Its southern verge, the
border itself, is protected from the Mexican Hordes by a 4-to-6-foot-high
fence of metal runway repair panels, painted olive-green.
P48, Col 2, Par 2, Line 10: A 2000 acre fire that started near Tecate in
November 1995 burned eastward across the PCT's route from near the border,
and north past Castle Rock Ranch. Trail tread is still easily visible.
P 50, Col 2, Line 9: The park is now called, "John Lyons-Lake Morena
Regional Park". A trailhead parking area with informational sign, has now
been constructed, but no primitive camping area has yet been established.
P 51, Col 1, Par 2, Line 4: The road around Lake Morena's campground
perimeter is now paved.
P 51, Col 2, Line 1: PCT Association volunteers have installed new signs
leading north around Lake Morena, so now the route is more-certain. Ignore
intersecting paths made by local homeowners which cross the PCT for lake
access. Stay essentially level, and don't head away from the shore line
until PCT emblems mark the way .
P 53, Col 2, Par 1, Line 5: Boulder Oaks Store management has resolved
their differences with the USFS-- the store and campground will remain open.
P 56-57: Maps A7 & A8: The 35,080 acre Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness was
designated in 1994. It lies east of and below the PCT as it courses around
Stephenson Peak, Monument Peak and Garnet Peak.
P 57, Col 2, Par 2, Last line: The ex-Air Force installation on Stephenson
Peak is now a Federal Aviation Administration navigation control site.
P 58, Col 2, Par 1, Line 3: Laguna Campground is now named, Laguna/El Prado
Campground.
P 58, Col 2, Last line: GATR Road: This intersection is now trail, and
marks an important detour to water: Just beyond a pipe swing-gate, there is
now an unmarked trail junction, where the road bed used to be. Continuing
straight-ahead, northwest, a recently-constructed spur trail curves gently
down and west, then momentarily south, to reach Sunrise Highway S1in less
than 0.1 mile. Here, a monument to the Penny Pines reforestation program
stands beside a busy trailhead parking area. Directly across 2-lane Highway
S1 is the start of Noble Canyon Trail 5E04, which strikes west-southwest
only 50 yards to find a permanent water supply. Here lie a green faucet and
a galvanized horse trough, in an open stand of black oaks. This level flat
is quite hospitable, but, unfortunately, no camping is allowed in this
vicinity. A moment farther on is found a junction with the southbound Big
Laguna Trail, which heads back to Mount Laguna.
Page 59, Col 2, Line 9: Water at Pioneer Mail Trailhead Picnic Area:
Getting water here is now more convenient: a 4-foot diameter concrete water
trough is now fed by the tank. It is alongside the trail, just past the
large trailhead information sign.
Page 61, Col. 2, Par. 1, Lines 4-8: Emergency water: If the spigot is
locked, look 10 feet uphill, in a grove of Coulter pines: the large cistern
has an unlocked metal access plate. But don't count on it!
P 69, Col 2, Line 6: Thanks to the efforts of PCT Association volunteers,
trail tread is now much better defined near San Ysidro Creek.
P 74, Supplies: Warner Springs: The Warner Springs Golf Grill is a
delightful place to cool off and dine. It is located just south of the gas
station, which, in turn, is next to the post office. Pay phones are
available. The gas station has limited snack foods.
The Valley Store, in Terwilliger, has now closed. Instead, use Kamp
Anza Kampground, as described on page 83, column 2. They will hold packages
for through-hikers. Send them to:
c/o Your Name
Kamp Anza Kampground
41560 Terwilliger Road
Space 19
Anza CA 92539
Phone: (909) 763-4819
Page 78, Col 1, Par 3, Line 5: Lost Valley Spring. The spring has been
rehabilitated, and has continued to flow during recent summers. Check it
out.
P 88, Col 2, Par 4, Line 9: Fobes Saddle: PCT Association volunteers
rerouted about 1/4 mile of the PCT just south of the saddle. The spur
path west down to the spring was also brushed-out.
P 91, Col 1, Par 2, Last line: Mount San Jacinto State Park personnel have
expressed concern that some PCT hikers do not fully understand specific
restrictions within that park. Please note that all camping must be in
designated sites only. Along the PCT, there is only one approved camp site:
at Strawberry Junction Trail Camp. USFS Wilderness Permits are NOT valid
for camping in the State Park. You must get a separate camping permit for a
specific date, to use State Park campsites. No dogs or fires are ever
allowed within the State Park. PCT travelers are welcome at the Park's
"Hike and Bike" campsite in Idyllwild, near the ranger station. Phone (909)
659-2607.
P91 Col 1, Side Route: "Marion Ridge Trail": should be named, "Deer Springs
Trail".
P 93, Col 2, Par 3, Line 17: Snow Canyon Road: There is now a 3-foot tall
concrete water fountain at the trail junction. The defunct dead-end trail
that continued across the road is no longer evident.
P 102, Col 2, Par 2, Line 20: narrow pass: This is now the approximate
southern boundary of the expanded San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, which the
PCT will climb through, until the head of North Fork Mission Creek.
P 103, Col 1, Par 2, Line 9: Whitewater Canyon: Hikers have been
consistently unwelcome at the Whitewater Trout Farm, in a beckoning oasis
of trees and lush grass, just across the Whitewater River, to the east.
Please avoid this private property.
P. 104, Col 1. 2, Par 2, Line 4: Forks Springs: A delightful detour to
Randy Testman's "PCT Wilderness Hostel" can be made here. Reconstructed
trail leads up the South Fork Mission Creek canyon (maps C3 & C4) 1.7 miles
to a streamside grove of cool cedar trees. Here, at 5880', the hostel
offers free camping, filtered water and solar showers to all. Small fees
are charged for laundry, meals, snack items and a hot tub. Horse feed,
corral and picket-line are available for equestrians. First-aid supplies
and a radiotelephone are also present. Helicopter evacuation of injured
hikers has even been arranged, in the past! Call (760) 567-8709 for voice
mail information. Hikers can continue west, up the South Fork Mission Creek
canyon from the Wilderness Hostel, on rough foot trail. (The path is
impassable to horses). It leads a further 4.2 miles to dirt Road 1N93,
where the official PCT route is rejoined, at Mission Creek Trail Camp, at
the head of North Fork Mission Creek.
P. 116, Col. 2, Par. 2: It should begin, "Just 300 yards after Holcomb
Camp, the rerouted PCT climbs southwest on tread coincident with the Crab
Flats Trail. In about another 300 yards, steel pipes mark the junction
where the PCT leaves the Crab Flats Trail. From there, the PCT traverses
west on fairly level tread while the Crab Flats Trail continues its climb
to the southwest. Gently ascending, your way alternates in forest and high
chaparral.
P. 118, Col. 1, Line 2: The 40 yards of trail that were washed out have
been corrected by the placement of a wooden bridge and the rebuilding of
the trail. It is now safe for equestrian traffic-- no detour is required.
P. 118, Map C13: The Deep Creek Campground shown in Section 18 no longer
exists. Also, the road shown arcing east from Section 13 to Section 18
along the top of the Mojave River Forks Reservoir is not open to the
motorists.
P. 118, Last par, to P 119, Line 23: Substitute: "Upon reaching the
spillway, walk south- west across the broken glass-strewn flat top of the
spillway toward a paved ramp that leads north to the top of the dam. Walk
steeply up to the top of the ramp, where you will see a PCT marker. Turn
left here and stroll along the broad top of the dam 0.4 mile to where a
wide, rutted dirt road goes steeply downhill, southeast. Walk down this
road adjacent to signs which, every few yards, proclaim the water elevation
behind the dam (there is almost never any water at all.) At the bottom,
turn right, west, and walk over the top of a cement structure, below which
a small amount of water is being released through the bottom of the dam.
Continue west down a steep grade on the other side of the cement structure.
Then, angle left, south, to cross the broad, usually dry West Fork Mojave
River channel. Scramble up the south bank and resume trail tread by turning
right, west, and proceed on an abandoned, torn up road at the base of a
cliff (3010-1.1).
P. 120, Col 1, Line 3 from bottom: Substitute: "About half way to
Silverwood Lake you come to a flat area where an ascending jeep road from
Highway l73 seems to terminate upon reaching the PCT (3480- 2.6)"
P 123, map C16: The black trail line was printed about one twelfth of an
inch too low.
P 129, Supplies: Line 4: Agua Dulce: As of January 1998, postal services
for PCT travelers through Agua Dulce are located at:
Century 21 Realty
33358 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd.
Agua Dulce, CA 91350
(805) 268-0121
The realty is open 7 days a week. Note that this is not a complete post
office (the closest is in Acton), but they attempt to be of any service.
Agua Dulce also has a veterinarian's office.
P 132, Col. 1, Par 2: Substitute: "Soon the trail crosses the newer
Southern Pacific Railroad tracks (3020-0.8) and swings to the right along a
dirt access road for 30 yards, before bending southwest to
wind....alluvium. At one point you amble south along a jeep road (keeping
to the right where the road forks) for 100 yards, before trail tread
resumes on the right side of the road."
P 132, Col. 1, Last Par: Insert a second sentence: "Upon reaching the
second powerline road, ascend south up the road for 150 yards before
resuming trail tread on the right side of the road."
P 136, Col 2, Line 3: The Narrows Fire, a 9,437-acre wildfire, burned a
large portion of the headwaters of East Fork of San Gabriel River canyon
hereabouts during August, 1997. It was started by a hiker who was
conscientiously, but unwisely, burning toilet paper. Suppression of the
blaze required 1,700 firefighters from 18 agencies, 10 air tankers, 21
helicopters, seven bulldozers and 12 water tenders. The cost: an estimated
$8 million. We will encounter burned terrain off-and-on, all along upper
Blue Ridge, to Grassy Hollow Visitor Center.
P 145, Last line: The next certain water is at North Fork Ranger Station,
in 5.5 miles. Water is variably found in early spring just before the PCT
crosses Moody Canyon Road-1.4 miles from Messenger Fiats Campground.
P 149, Par. 1, Line 24: Mattox Canyon creek: There may be no water in the
stream bed where the PCT crosses. However, there may be a very nice flow a
short way up-canyon.
P 150, Col. 1, Par 2: This section, which changes with every spring's
floods, is often confusing. The overall directions, however, are constant:
Having emerged from your sometimes-wet ford of the river, the trail climbs
a few feet as it swings around to the right. The indistinct path empties
you onto a flat alluvial maze of dirt roads, debris piles, and other
assorted rubble. Don't dismay if you lose the route; simply head north
toward the far valley wall. Find a dirt road adjacent to a barbed wire
fence, then follow the road a short distance right, east, to where you come
to a break in the fence marked with PCT emblems. These usher you left,
north... (continue on p. 151).
P 151, Col 1, Par 2, Line 16: The gap near the head of Bobcat Canyon is at
an elevation of 2780, not 2980.
P 151, Col. 2, Last Par, Line 4: After the first two sentences, substitute
this description of new alignment: "Looking north, one sees the old PCT
leading steeply up a hillside. However, the PCT continues to head
downstream, crossing the creek six more times until finally turning west
and head ing up and over the southwest end of a ridge. After about 200
yards your trail drifts downhill a bit and comes to a four way junction.
An equestrian trail takes off to the left, but you follow the PCT to the
right, heading northeast up a very steep section of trail that deposits
you on a little-used dirt road on the north rim of Escondido Canyon. Once
on the rim you start a very gentle... junction (2535-0 9), by a yellow
pipe post. Head left down this dirt road for a short distance to an other
PCT marker. Turn right at this marker and follow a new section of PCT as
it loops around north of a large grassy area. The path then rounds north
of the two most spectacular rock outcroppings (made famous by dozens of
cowboy movies and TV ads). The trail eventually passes within 50 feet of a
trailhead parking area and continues around half a dozen clifflets to
strike paved Escondido Canyon Road (2510-0.9).
P 152, Col. 2, Line 1: Camping is now allowed at Vasquez Rocks County Park.
P 156: Section E Mileage Summary: North-to-South mileages do not add up on
the chart.The mileages in the last column should be: 108.8, 107.0, 100.7,
98.5, 92.4, 86.1, 78.5, 71.5, 65.5, 61.2, 54.4, 47.7, 45.9, 42.4, 31.3,
24.7, 20.8, 8.6.
P 157: Water: Be aware that, as of Spring 1998, all campground water in the
Saugus District of Angeles National Forest (north of Agua Dulce) has been
turned off, because of uncertain contamination of the water supplies with
giardia and cryptosporidia. This should not inconvenience PCT travelers
overly, since the (untreated) streams and springs that supply the
campgrounds are still as accessible as ever. Purification of all water
sources must be considered.
P 160, Col. 1, Par. 2: The first sentence should finish: "...then ascends
moderately again, staying left at the first fork in the road, but going
steeply uphill (next to a chain link fence) at the second fork in the road,
to trail tread some 50 yards past a large steel electrical tower."
P 160, Col 1, Last par: Substitute this beginning: "Leaving the saddle, one
sees the old Big Tree Trail heading steeply up the spine of the ridge. The
PCT, however, starts a traverse to the left of the ridge, gaining elevation
gradually at first, and then more rapidly as it drifts off to the
northwest. Eventually, you switchback steeply up almost to the ridge, where
you switchback again, back to the north. The climb moderates...on Sierra
Pelona Ridge Road 6N07 (4500 2.7)."
P 160, Col. 2, Line 7: Bear Spring is about 35 feet uphill from the trail,
not the metal trough below the trail.
P. 160-61, Mileages: The last mileage on page 160 should be, " ... a
junction (3785-0.6)", and the first on page 161 should be, "... Bouquet
Canyon Road 6N05 (3340-0.9)."
P 161, Col 2, Line 2: A fire in September 1996 burned the hillside on the
north slope of Bouquet Canyon. The PCT is still passable.
P 164, Col 1, par 2, Line 17: Green Valley Ranger Station: San Francisquito
Picnic Area is closed, but picnic facilities and water are still available
in front of the fire station. San Francisquito Campground no longer exists,
but there is a trail camp near the ranger station. A restaurant is now
found at the junction of San Francisquito Canyon Road and Spunky Canyon
Road, 1.7 miles southwest of the ranger station.
P 165, Col 1, Resupply Access: There is now a small convenience store at
the intersection of Elizabeth Lake Canyon Road and Newvale Drive.
P 167, Col 1, Par 2, Line 6: Upper Shake Campground: Water here is turned
off, indefinitely, due to the protozoal scare. Go to the creek for seasonal
water, which flows well into summer of most years.
P 171, Col 2, Par 1, Line 7: 270th Street West: This is now signed as,
"269th Street West".
P 171, Col 2, Par 2, 2nd to Last line: "The Country Store", is about 1.3
miles west on Hwy 138. Use it as a resupply point, if needed, instead of
going to Tehachapi or Lancaster. Seven days a week, you'll find water, cold
drinks and snacks, minimal groceries, medical items and a phone. Also
available are horse feed, a corral, and even a PCT Association trail
register. The Country Store will accept PCT traveler's resupply boxes and
hold them for no charge. Send them to:
c/o Your Name
The Country Store
Star Route 138 (mail)
28105 Hwy 138 (UPS direct)
Lancaster, CA 93536-9207
Phone (805) 724-9097
P 171, Col 2, Par 3, Line 3: Although the signs and gates still exist, the
trail tread between Highway 138 and Old Lancaster Road has fallen into
disuse. Walk the quiet shoulder of 269th Street West, instead.
P 171, Col 2, Par 3, 4th from Bottom: The first road of this pair, 260th
Street West, is now paved. Much of the route north from here has been
re-marked by (hopefully) indestructible 3-foot-tall brown-painted iron
posts, each emblazoned with a large white PCT emblem.
P 177, Col. 1, Par. 3, Line 9: There is probably water in Gamble Spring
Canyon in springtime, but it cannot be relied upon.
P 181, Col 2, Resupply Access: Add to last line: To walk into Tehachapi,
avoid Highway 58. Instead, turn left, west, along the aforementioned
railroad tracks. Walk the roadbed that parallels the rail road, keeping
well away from the heavily used tracks. Cross under Highway 58 in 1.5
miles, and then at the first opportunity, walk north over to paved
Tehachapi Road, which parallels the tracks and the freeway. You should be
able to hitch a ride here. Continue west on that road 7.5 miles more to
town and the post office, which is two blocks left on Green Street. You
pass a Travelodge with a gas station, restaurant, bar and minimart at the
Steuber Road intersection, 2.0 miles before you reach the center of town.
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