Pretty Cool Story w/pics

[gamefreakgc]

We're long distance hikers, and finishing the PCT would get us close to the Triple Crown. Just need to hike the CTD in addion, but we don't really have much desire to hike the entire CDT right now. When we hit the PCT we'll be hiking the entire, and snow shouldn't be an issue. If you start in April the trail will be blazed through all the snow by time we got there.

More power to ya! That's quite the feat! Hope it comes together for you, I'd love to hike at least all of CA one day but it's the time that keeps me from ever planning it. Maybe when I get older and all the kids are grown up!

Just a heads up though, the Sierra Nevadas are a bit unpredictable. We've been in a drought since the 10-11 snow season but this year's El Nino is changing that in a hurry. In a normal year, it's not uncommon for us to get snow storms through May at higher elevations, which the PCT runs through south of Tahoe. As in, 6" or more in a short period sort of storms! It's hard to follow the trails when that happens. We've even had snow storms as late of the 4th of July (that was a fun weekend) but those are rare. Once you pass Tahoe the trail drops to 6000 or so ft which is much more doable.

My advice would be to rely heavily on people who have hiked it before and can give tips on timing and when to wait it out. Snow on the ground already is one thing, snow falling when you're hiking is an entirely different issue! There are hostels and shelters along the way which you can use in a pinch if things get really bad though.

 

[MStudt]

More power to ya! That's quite the feat! Hope it comes together for you, I'd love to hike at least all of CA one day but it's the time that keeps me from ever planning it. Maybe when I get older and all the kids are grown up!

Just a heads up though, the Sierra Nevadas are a bit unpredictable. We've been in a drought since the 10-11 snow season but this year's El Nino is changing that in a hurry. In a normal year, it's not uncommon for us to get snow storms through May at higher elevations, which the PCT runs through south of Tahoe. As in, 6" or more in a short period sort of storms! It's hard to follow the trails when that happens. We've even had snow storms as late of the 4th of July (that was a fun weekend) but those are rare. Once you pass Tahoe the trail drops to 6000 or so ft which is much more doable.

My advice would be to rely heavily on people who have hiked it before and can give tips on timing and when to wait it out. Snow on the ground already is one thing, snow falling when you're hiking is an entirely different issue! There are hostels and shelters along the way which you can use in a pinch if things get really bad though.

Best time to start is late April if you're heading north. This will ensure that you reach the Canadian boarder around the beginning of September or sooner.

 

[I-4x4]

There is 'Desk to Glory' too. Not a 4runner but at least it's a Toyota truck!

 

[KelOfTheRockies]

Very cool story - inspiring. Thanks for posting it!

- kel -