Hey guys, I am looking to section hike a portion of the sierras from mid to late july, any advice for resupply ponts/ getting transportation to and from the trail? My rough idea right now is to start at Kennedy Meadows and get off somewhere close to Yosemite or a little before to make it around 240 miles. I'm just starting the planning process so any advice would be welcome!

I was arranging to use a friend's pack but it's damaged and will take too long to repair. I am staying in southern california right now (Orange County) - anything under 4 pounds would be great (I'd probably consider something heavier). I'm on a tight budget after upgrading other gear, ideally I could find something under under $150, and the cheaper the better. It's fine if it's super beat up.

I'm pretty flexible on size, but I'm trying to reduce the number of resupplies and carry a lot more food, so even a huge pack, 65+ liters would be fine.

There's probably better places to ask, but I figured I'd get a bit more love in this subreddit.

Lake Morena accepts resupply packages, right? Do you just ship to the campground address listed online? I couldn’t get anyone to answer the phone.

Thank you!

What's the update on the norovirus situation on the pct. I'm going to get to white water within the next couple days. Is it getting better or worse? Is anyone considering skipping the section? I have a bad immunic system and I'm not sure what to do. They don't carry Aquamira or anything in Idyllwild. I asked in a few stores.

Also does anyone know of Trail Angels or other ways to get a hitch from White Water past Big Bear if I decided to skip? (I'm still unsure)

Main reason for resupply boxes is due to the fact that I am on several medications and on a budget. Are there any updates changes that I should know?

Heyo I'm looking to potentially section hike the entire Oregon Section this August. Reason being is I'd love to to hike the timberline trail along the way as well as the three sisters loop.

If there are other side trips to take along the PCT Route, any recommendations? I want to pack the section hike with as much as possible.

When I hiked the Colorado trail, I had wished I did a 14er along the way, so if there are any side hikes or places/best food to try that are recommended I'd appreciate some ideas. :)

Hi, What kind of clothing would be necessary for washington in july/august? would a tech fleece + rainshell be fine, or is some kind of puff jacket necessary?

Hi all :) I am doing a section hike starting in Ashland July 25th and planning to finish in Cascade Locks near the end of August. I am a vegetarian, so thought it would be good to send resupply boxes to the following location to avoid limited vegetarian selection: Fish Lake Resort, Mazama Village, Shelter Cove Resort, Elk Lake Resort, Olallie Lake Resort, Timberline Lodge.

What do folks think about this resupply strategy? Anywhere that you wouldn't bother sending a box? For example, because of an inconvenient hitch hike or because the store and resupply is really awesome in that particular spot?

Also, any thoughts about water for Oregon in August? I am planning to use the app everyone uses and the PCT notes, but since this is my first big section hike I want see if people think water carries will be bad in August.

Getting my gear list ironed out to start SOBO on June 24th (weather permitting) and I’m trying to sort out what layers I’ll need. My plan was to leave the puffy at home and just start with the Alpha 90 fleece, wind jacket, and rain jacket. I usually like to keep hiking all day and figured if I was cold sitting around camp I’d just lay in my quilt. Starting to second guess that plan though and wondering if I should throw the puffy in my pack just in case. Anyone have any suggestions on what’s worked for them in the past?

Hey Guys!

I’m at mile 209.5 (I-10 oasis woo hoo!) and figured I would give a little PSA for folks on fuel usage! I had no idea how much I would use so started out with a Coleman C250 can. I got another in Ranchita because I was worried about running out, but here I am still on can 1. I use it every morning and night to boil between 1 and 2 cups of water each, other than when I am in town. So for future planners, 16 total days of use morning and night and still plenty of fuel in the original C250. Will update when I finally run out!

Hi everyone! My tramily member’s boyfriend is joining us on Sunday. He’s planning to hike with us for a bit but will need a ride back to his car on May 16th. We’re struggling to find a list of trail angels for the Acton area, do you know of any? Am I missing a FB page somewhere?

I'm curious about the ability to sleep in a hammock most nights between this 700 mile stretch. I know there's not going to be a lot of hammock spots in the Mojave, and I'm down to cowboy camp as needed.

What options do you know of getting Cash in the US without a physical credit card (for non-citizens)?

Unfortunately cash is needed more than I expected on trail, my bad, however I didn't bring a physical credit card with me, so afaik I currently cannot use any ATMs.

I've ordered one from Germany, but the letter didn't arrive/ maybe will never arrive, who knows. In Germany we can get cash from the cashier at some supermarkets (adding it to the bill), maybe there are similar alternatives you know of?

Thanks for the help!

Edit: I do have Google Pay and a virtual credit card, so places that accept NFC payments are not an issue. (Except Walmart)

This is the only place on social media that I have so I thought this would work, but on Friday morning the 10th at 9 am, I have an Uber coming to take me to REI if anyone wants to join and split it.

You can reply here or just be up at the rangers kiosk and look for a pink bandana/green hat.

How much did your trek cost you in total? I’m trying to set a savings goal. Thanks so much!

Im just a PCT dreamer, long time lurker here, though I did hike the JMT in 2022. Anyways, My wife and I recently moved up to the north Lake Tahoe area and I thought it would be fun to do some trail magic for hikers.

For location, I was thinking either Donner Pass or Echo Lake are good spots where the trail intersects with a spot where I could park and set up. Of the two, where would the magic be most appreciated?

Similarly, I have a little one at home so limited time to go out there and spread the love. When are the most hikers passing through the area? I would guess June and July would be busiest, right?

Any requests?

I recently discovered the PCT and have become obsessed with it. I am constantly watching YouTube videos, listening to podcasts,reading articles, and daydreaming about the PCT. I am still young but at this point in my life I am just getting started in my career it doesn’t seem realistic to put my life on pause for 5 to 6 months. I honestly feel like my only hope of doing the PCT would be if I was able to win the lottery. Idk if anyone else feels like this but it breaks my heart to think about. S/o to everyone who has the courage to take on the trail I hope I will get there one day too.

For someone with minimal backpacking experience and a full time job what steps do I need to be taking so that I can hopefully complete the PCT in the next 5 or so years. Do most people do it in between jobs? Idk the point of this post I guess just to vent. I recently moved to a big city to advance myself professionally but I am not satisfied. My heart is longing for an adventure and the PCT seems like the ultimate adventure

Any idea what to expect? Continuing off from where I had to skip to during last years thru and was wondering if I should be expecting snow or more or less the same as last year where it was sort of patchy and mild. Like should I bring spikes again? Or was last year really just that of an anomaly

Should I push back the start date and change my permit or should this be an okay sobo date?

I'm in Banning resupplying, have been reading for an hour but it's unclear, talks about walking in the creek (or not) and waterfalls (or not) and shortcuts (or not), some find it dangerous and some don't... does anyone know of a source that cuts to the point? Is there a current GPS file I could DL to make it clearer?

Below is the comment that seems least argued (but doesn't mention the "alternative" (maybe leaving 236 and rejoining at 245?)):

for mission creek this worked for our group: follow creek bed until around 234 (233.8) where there will be a stream that forks to the right when you are looking upstream. Follow that 10Oft or so and you will be able to climb up to the pct which is relatively intact. There is one section where it cliffs out but you can easily walk around it. Then continue on trail which is passable, there are a couple washouts that were easy-ish to navigate at 237 and the section where you need to climb down to the creek bed at 238 as described and shortly after back up. We didn't encounter any waterfalls or other super dangerous hazards and the trail is really lovely past 239.

...thoughts?

(Plus of course there's the whole "gastrointestinal" issue, but I guess we can deal with that. Fwiw we're pretty comfortable hikers.)

I mention it here as FarOut is kinda hard to find that info at the point where many are making the decision (back at 151 at Paradise Valley Cafe).

YMMV, but without spikes we just found those miles of snow hard to hike without injuring a joint/tendon - every step was placed very carefully, we fell over a half dozen times, and we were a lot slower than we would have been with spikes.

To be clear, we never felt in danger, it's not high or scary or anything - it's just hard not to fall over (and/or maybe take a short tumble).

We are now taking a zero just to recover, give the poor joints/tendons a chance to recover - if we'd had spikes I am sure we wouldn't have needed this rest.

Fwiw, we didn't find it made much difference if it was early (and frozen solid, this boot-track steps held shape reliably, but without steps was slippery) or a bit later (softer and able to make own steps, but stuff blows out easier) - it was all so slow and awkward!

It's possible, sure, but yeah, wanted those spikes!

I know this is normal and I don’t need to be scared. But oh man, I was SO EXCITED for a year and now I’m just feeling really apprehensive and doubtful about if this is what I want. If I’ll enjoy it, if I’ll give up, if I’ll disappoint myself. I just need to get on trail, but oh man the uncertainty is real.

Hi all,

Just posting the above in case someone was waiting for an opening.

Cheers

Starting my solo hike soon. I know the odds are in my favor but I have high anxiety about sleeping in a tent alone at night. I also fear mountain lions greatly. I fear I won’t enjoy my hike because I will always be wondering if I am being stalked by one. My rational mind is not very powerful at times.

I was just wondering, from other solo female hikers, do you get used to camping alone or is there always fear? Did you ever have any bad experiences hiking alone?

The closer I get to my departure date, the less I am sleeping. I start imagining myself in my tent at night scared shitless clutching my knife. It is like I am actually there. I always imagine the worst scenario, horror movie stuff that will never happen or that has a 1 in a million chance of happening. My imagination is horribly creative. I wish it wasn’t.