Reply to "Leaving a Car"

[halhiker]

I have left a car at Humber Park for days without incident. The Tram, however, is locked down at night and is very secure. Either one will probably be good; I wouldn't think it necessary to leave a car in town.

Three and a half days also seems like a long time to cover that amount of ground. Two is more like it, two and a half at the longest. The only real elevation gain is from Fobes Saddle to Spitler.

I've actually hiked for 74 to the Tram in ONE. It was a long one but still just one.

[Rees]

I know that the distance from Highway 74 via the PCT to Idyllwild is something like 27 miles . . . but I couldn't figure out another easy place to leave a car with trail access short of going all the way down toward I-10. And I didn't want my wife to find the car vandalized. Sounds like you know the area really well. Is there another option 10 - 15 miles farther north?

[lipbiter]

Another possibility is to leave a car at Fuller Ridge Trail Head. The PCT passes right by it which is a plus because if you leave a car at the Tram, your wife will have to hike several miles or more alone if you and your nephew stay on the PCT.

I'm not aware of vandalism there as it is quite remote. If you are not gung-ho about having to walk every step on the PCT during your 3 week trip, I would drive out with your wife (ensuring she gets out safely), then she could then drive you down to I-10 and you can pick up the PCT on the northside of I-10 and save your knees from the loooong downhill grade.

There are a few problems with that plan, though. First, I don't know if the dirt road to the Fuller Ridge Trail Head is or will be open mid-May. Second, if it is open, I don't know how you propose getting from that parking area down to Highway 74; do you have someone else shuttling you?

Be aware, May snow storms are not uncommon on San Jacinto. Please keep an eye on the weather and snow/ice conditions on the mountain.

Have a safe hike!

[Rees]

Anyone know much about the quality of the unpaved road from Highway 243 to Boulder Basin Campsite or the Fuller Ridge Trailhead Parking area? How would a van do on that road or is it more primitive than that?

Rees Hughes