[pct-l] shuttle service around Etna or Dunsmuir

[Edward Anderson]

Yes, Jerry, you are right!  It is even more than just "a little tough" with a horse. Riding the PCT solo is, indeed, a lot more challenging than hiking it. But, I came to accept that and became an expert at hitching. I did what I had to do - and it worked.
 
So, to do Section P, here is how I did it:  It takes a lot of research and pre-planning.  I had driven my rig ahead to park it, with prior permission, at Castle Crags State Park. Note that horses are not allowed in the park.  In Castella, I had knocked on the door of a house in Castella, that I could see, had horses. I got permission to leave Primo there (when, later, I rode into Castella) in a large, and safe, corral. Then I returned, with the help of BCH Sam Burrows, to Bernie Falls State Park with my horse (I had left Primo at a BCH camp near there)  Then I saddled up and rode Section O to Castella, left Primo, and moved the rig north, caching at one location, to a ranch (pre-arranged) in Etna. From there I hitched back to Castle Crags and rode north from there to Etna Summit (in 2008, the trail was closed because if fire north of there). There is no cell service at the Etna Summit, so I sent word down with a hiker who was hitching  A
 BCH, who owns the ranch in Etna, picked Primo and I up there with my rig. I then trailered around the fire to a ranch (pre-arranged) in Seiad Valley. Left Primo there and drove rig north, caching at four locations . . ;. . . . 
 
If you would be interested in more explanation of my hitching - taking a bus - hitching approach, you can find my slide show on the Postholer Stockman Forum.  TYPE in the following - don't click on it:   postholer.com/stockman
 
JUDSON.  I suggest that you research the Greyhound schedule. There are six buses that go south on I5. Confirm when and where you will be able to catch a bus. Unfortunately, Greyhound will not stop at either Dunsmuir or Castella. I had to hitch from Shasta City in 2008.
 
Have a great hike,
 
MendoRider-Hiker
 
 
 

________________________________
 From: Jerry Goller <geartester at comcast.net>
To: 'Edward Anderson' <mendoridered at yahoo.com> 
Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2012 11:32 PM
Subject: RE: [pct-l] shuttle service around Etna or Dunsmuir
  
Isn't that a little tough with a horse......    ;o)

Jerry

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/: the most comprehensive interactive gear
reviews on the planet.

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Edward Anderson
Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2012 23:35
To: Judson Brown; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] shuttle service around Etna or Dunsmuir

Hello Judson,
 
You might consider hiking NOBO from Castle Crags State Park.  You could
leave your car there. Call and talk to the head Ranger to arrange
permission.
. 
Then when you
 reach Etna Summit hitch down to Etna (it might take an hour to
get a ride there). Hitching out of Etna I got a ride within one minute to I5
and caught a Greyhound to Shasta City. The Greyhound will not stop to let
you off at Castle Crags. ( You will have to walk nearly a mile to the
on-ramp of I5) Then I hitched south to Castle Crags. It took about 15
minutes to get that ride. When hitching always have pre-made a sign saying
where you want to go.
 
MendoRider-Hiker (Expert hitcher)