Desert Divide Hike Possibility?

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi HJ,

Thanks for the map. I was intending to take the cut off. Another guy told me that I would be missing a significant spot in the PCT. Something about having to dynamite a chunk of the trail in that area and it being a special place on the PCT. I have a book on order trying to sort out what he was talking about.

MW

Hi, Walt, I've been up and down that trail a time or two. There are some spots that they blasted out of the granite. Still, I don't recall anything to write home about. Maybe if you're into trail design and construction, or if you're really a PCT-aphile, that spot on the trail would be more meaningful? I'm just a plain ol' hiker guy. I tend to take routes that make sense to me rather than looking for interesting bits of trail construction. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

[halhiker]

I was wondering if this cutoff would be possible. I've done some tromping around in the area while camping out at Desert View 1 campsite and it just might go. I'm off tomorrow and was thinking of going up to Red Tahquitz so I just might check it out. No promises, though.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=33.77868,-11 ... 0Peak%20CA

[Hikin_Jim]

That'll be steep in some sections, particularly as you approach the creek. You might head left in the vicinity of the knob at point 7582 and go down to the creek. Looks a little more doable. Hard to tell with the cursed 80' contour intervals on San Jacinto. Wish they'd convert to 40' intervals like all the surrounding quads.

Looks interesting. If you do it, take photos and let us know how it goes.

[WOLFDOG]

Yeah, I like that shortcut, A to B, but I would veer further straight north and drop down into Tahquitz Creek where it runs through Reeds Meadow, a beautiful spot. Other than that, now that everyone is talking about the Zen Trail, I'll try for that instead, quietly of course [/img]

[Zé]

okay a little ACME mapper points

zen center is 'A'

spitler trail appears to be 'D'

there appears to be an old trail on the topo map following parts through 'B' and 'C'. I guess I could take that part of the way up, but then it intersects the apparently crappy Spitler trail. those switchbacks look terrible. I wonder if there's anyway to go straight up but avoid cutting switchbacks...

[Ellen]

Howdy Ze,

I'd love to hike at least part of desert divide via the PCT. For my first time, I'll be happy to stay on the trail and not bag any peaks. We were going to hike from the Zen Center (Steve got permission) to Idylwild last spring but snow caused us to abort the trip. We did a car stagger -- left my car in Idylwild and then took Steve's van to the center. Wouldn't mind coming into the PCT via Forbes either.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

okay a little ACME mapper points

zen center is 'A'

spitler trail appears to be 'D'

there appears to be an old trail on the topo map following parts through 'B' and 'C'. I guess I could take that part of the way up, but then it intersects the apparently crappy Spitler trail. those switchbacks look terrible. I wonder if there's anyway to go straight up but avoid cutting switchbacks...

I have no idea what the brush would be like, but you could try just heading up the drainage above Cartridge Spring. At point "G" on this map, you'd have to take the right hand branch and then make your best route to "H" (Apache - Spitler Saddle). Oughta be interesting if nothing else.


As to cutting switchbacks, I'm not sure. The marked trail stops abruptly at point "F." I suppose that if you're headed from "G" to "H," you could just see how the switchbacks look (if they do head that way). If the impact of XC travel looks minimal, I'd go for it even if I crossed some broad switchbacks.

[Zé]

Howdy Ze,

I'd love to hike at least part of desert divide via the PCT. For my first time, I'll be happy to stay on the trail and not bag any peaks. We were going to hike from the Zen Center (Steve got permission) to Idylwild last spring but snow caused us to abort the trip. We did a car stagger -- left my car in Idylwild and then took Steve's van to the center. Wouldn't mind coming into the PCT via Forbes either.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Yes I think Fobes will work the best. I have a sort of plan that will work out similar to what you guys were planning. I think its feasible to have people do a few different options (adding peaks or just trail).

[Zé]

I have no idea what the brush would be like, but you could try just heading up the drainage above Cartridge Spring. At point "G" on this map, you'd have to take the right hand branch and then make your best route to "H" (Apache - Spitler Saddle). Oughta be interesting if nothing else.


As to cutting switchbacks, I'm not sure. The marked trail stops abruptly at point "F." I suppose that if you're headed from "G" to "H," you could just see how the switchbacks look (if they do head that way). If the impact of XC travel looks minimal, I'd go for it even if I crossed some broad switchbacks.

thanks HJ. but thinking about it I guess I want to hike Spitler so I would have to hike back south anyways. Maybe the same miles as Fobes so probably better to just take that.

I'll just to save the x-country for some other hikes, lol

[Ellen]

Howdy Ze,

I'll just to save the x-country for some other hikes, lol

I've heard about your cross-country hikes I would love to hike the desert divide and am happy to help with a car stagger.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen