[pct-l] solo hiker starting at Walker Pass

[Diane Soini]

I hiked Walker Pass to Canebrake Rd. in October of 2008 and camped at Joshua Tree Spring. It was actually quite nice then, a little cold and windy but sheltered down at the spring and probably an ideal time to go actually as the desert meadows around Canebrake Road were quite lovely in fall. We weren’t bothered by bears and had plenty of water. It wasn’t a drought year, however. I hiked the same area in June of the same year, it was hot and miserable through there, but fortunately you get out quickly. I hiked it again in June of 2009 and it was cold and raining. I camped at one of the Spanish Needle Creeks. Still no bear was seen. You never know what you are going to get, but July is going to be pretty hot. Weird that I’ve hiked that section 3 times now. I’d do it again, too. I think it’s pretty there. I look online at land for sale around there every now and then. Not everybody hates the desert I guess.

On Feb 26, 2014, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2014 12:18:27 -0500
> From: Laura Reed <1pint2007 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] solo hiker starting at Walker Pass
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
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> 
> Regardless of whether you're female or not, I think starting at Walker Pass
> is TOUGH. Last year I met a couple of people that jumped on there and every
> one of us that was attempting a thru-hike thought they had it really tough.
> 
> One reason we thought it was a less than desirable spot to start is that
> you're still in the desert when you leave Walker Pass. You have to put up
> good miles between water sources and the sources aren't great. You get to
> pick between tainted water or water guarded by an aggressive family of
> bears at Spanish Needle Creek or skipping both sources and hauling tons.
> 
> I'm not sure what others would say on your timing, but that appears to me
> to be a little late for that section. I think the bulk is through South
> Lake Tahoe by early July. And with the concerns about low water, my
> personal guess is that folks will be starting early and farther north, so
> you might not see the traffic that you're hoping for.
> 
> Good luck with your hike. Being on the PCT was an incredible experience for
> me. I can't recommend it enough.
> 
> Best,
> 1Pint (aka Laura)