[pct-l] CA section F in March/April?

[ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com]

I went through "section F" (didn't have sections back then...) in early 
April (March 14th start) and had moderate temps in the Mojave and snow up 
out of Jawbone Canyon, about 2-3 feet deep.

As I've said elsewhere, we got used to the snow, though we sure didn't like 
it out of Wrightwood, where we followed hwy. 2 to get around it all. Don't 
change your plans because of snow, just expect to slow down and eat twice as 
much as you normally would. For more snow related travel info, read our 
postings at http://postholer.com/SnowTravel. You'll find that with a little 
practical preparation and more than enough practice in the stuff, when you 
hit the snow, either in SoCal or up out of Mojave, it will be no big deal. 
It is beautiful and totally transforms what would otherwise be a dry, summer 
landscape.

If ever in doubt about what to do, remember "STOP"-- stop, think, observe, 
plan, then decide what is the safest decision you can make.

Mtnned
Mountain Education

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "dsaufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
To: "'JEAN NELSON'" <jeanmnelson at email.phoenix.edu>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 10:21 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] CA section F in March/April?


> Jean,
>
> March is quite variable, and winter temps and snow can still be expected,
> especially at the higher elevations in the section profile. Winds are
> perhaps the biggest factor in that area, and late winter/early spring is
> often when we see the highest amount of precipitation in the desert.
>
> I am unaware if Mary Barcik and her husband stock the caches that early, 
> but
> I don't think they put out the large caches until it becomes thru-hiker
> season.  You might have better luck with natural sources this early,
> however.
>
> Because March is so variable, you might also get a stretch of fair 
> weather,
> too. Some years, the flowers begin to bloom on the desert floor in March.
> I'm reminded of the old saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait five
> minutes."
>
> L-Rod
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of JEAN NELSON
> Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 1:21 AM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] CA section F in March/April?
>
> Has anyone hiked CA section F in late March?  I've looked at the websites
> showing temps, but I'm wondering about snow on the ground.
>
> Also, are there any water caches along the way?  Thanks.
>
> Jean Ellero
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