[pct-l] Winter Hiking the Desert Section

[Eugene Leafty]

I second this request for more specificity.  The fear some people express
about the desert is not based on what the trail is really like.  There are
only about 30 miles between the border and Big Bear that I'd call desert.
Sure, most of Socal doesn't get drenched in rain, but it's hardly a land of
cactus and tumbleweeds.

That said, it gets cold in the winter.  All of the trail between the border
and Apache Peak near Idyllwild should be easily passable without special
equipment.  It does get chilly.  Within a few miles of the border it can get
into the low 20's at night.  There are still illegal immigrants in that area
despite the cold.  This winter I'm going to make sure I have a good number
for the Border Patrol.  Usually I wouldn't bother, but I think it'd be
better for lightly equipped illegals to get picked up than to stay out in a
bitter cold night....one guy died a few miles from me on the night it dipped
into the low 20's on Hauser Mountain last February.

I'll be up in Idyllwild at the end of the year.  I'll be checking as much of
the trail as possible.  I'm bringing my snowshoes just in case.  Still, even
(especially?) with snowshoes I'd rather not try to strictly hike directly on
the trail in deep snow.

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Donna Saufley
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 7:48 PM
To: 'Bernard Mines'; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Winter Hiking the Desert Section

It would be helpful to have a more specific definition of "the desert
section."  There are a number of stretches that could be defined as desert
south of Kennedy Meadows.  

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Bernard Mines
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 3:04 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Winter Hiking the Desert Section

I'd be curiuos to hear educated opinions about hiking the desert section in
winter.  


      
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