[pct-l] Early April SOBO from Walker Pass? - Shuttle Plan?

[Donna "L-Rod" Saufley]

Handlebar,

There is a "ride angel" that gives hikers rides from Agua Dulce to points north on the trail (or vice-versa).  If you can get from LAX to Hiker Heaven, or to the Metrolink station in Santa Clarita, she can give you a ride to Walker Pass. This should be arranged in advance with her.  If you're interested, let me know and I'll get you her info.

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Rick Ostheimer <rick.ostheimer at sbcglobal.net>
>Sent: Feb 10, 2008 12:51 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Early April SOBO from Walker Pass? - Shuttle Plan?
>
>My plan has been to hike north from Campo on April 3rd and hitch back to 
>Lake Morena for Kickoff.  With all the snow in the mountains, even in 
>southern California, it looks like I need a contingency plan.  I already 
>bought my airline flight for April 1st. The early start is due to the 
>need to take about 3 weeks off the trail to return east for weddings.
>
>The contingency plan is to hike SOBO from Walker Pass with some of my 
>AT06 thru-hiker classmates beginning around April 3rd.  I'll head 
>southbound as far as Big Bear reaching there around April 23 from whence 
>I'll head on down to the Kickoff.   After the Kickoff, I'll hike NOBO 
>with the "herd" to Big Bear and use public transport connections to LAX 
>to fly back east the week of May 20th for the wedding.  This would 
>involve 21 mile hiking days, so I'm ramping up my full-pack training 
>hikes toward that goal to be in shape when I hit the trail.
>
>When I get to Big Bear, I'll check the Kickoff ride board for 
>possibilities.  The fail-safe plan is the MARTA "off-the-mountain" bus 
>to get to San Bernardino, then hop on the Metrolink light rails to LA 
>then San Diego (via a combination of light rail and Amtrak).  SanDiego 
>to kickoff via bus.  The web sites indicate this is do-able, but anyone 
>have personal experience on any of these transport modes?  Would I have 
>any problems with my pack?  Making connections?
>
>Any comments/recommendations on trail conditions weather between Walker 
>Pass and Big Bear during April 3-23 time frame?  I'm hoping for cooler 
>weather in the desert sections, but not sure that will be the case.  
>Also, will the water caches be stocked by then?  If not, can I count on 
>the springs to be flowing?  Would snow in late April impede my getting 
>as far as Big Bear City?  Would I need an ice axe?
>
>Have yet to figure out how to get back to Walker Pass from LAX on May 27 
>when I return from the wedding.  Any ideas?  Maybe fly over to Inyokern? 
>or take a bus to Mojave then the Crest bus to Inyokern and hitch back to 
>Walker Pass?
>
>Any and all ideas appreciated.
>
>Handlebar
>. 
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