PCT

[wasatchrunner]

Ok, just one more question. Someone mentioned the PCT as being a good option for running. I'm trying to find a good map online to show where the trail is. The best I found is very general. It looks like you can go south of Palm Springs and hit the PCT or NE of Palm Springs. Which place is the best? How far out of Palm Springs is the PCT?

Thanks,

Jeff

[asabat]

In the San Jacintos, the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Highway 74 at the Santa Rosa Summit, one mile west of Highway 371. There is parking on the north side of the highway. It climbs the Desert Divide, goes around Red Tahquitz, just south of Tahquitz Valley, then north to Saddle Junction. It then climbs to pass Strawberry Cienaga and Deer Springs before following Fuller Ridge down to Black Mountain Road. From there it switchbacks all the way down to Snow Creek Village.

Information is available from the PCTA at www.pcta.org.

[Hikin_Jim]

The PCT Association is a good resource http://www.pcta.org/. Their store, https://www.orderz.com/pcta/, has a map called "PCT Map- Southern California" that looks promising, but I've not actually held it in my hands. From their home page, click on "PCT Guide & Planning Books," then scroll down, and "PCT Map- Southern California" is toward the bottom of the page.

This is an excellent free map, http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/636/files/MtSanJacintoSPmap.pdf, BUT it only shows the PCT in the SJ Wilderness Area.

This map link, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=33.73242&lon=-116.63875&size=l&u=4&datum=nad83&layer=DRG, will show you the PCT in great detail all the way from Mexico to Canada, BUT the trail isn't always as clearly marked, and the navigation gets some getting used to. It is free, though.

The USDA Forest Service has a PCT website: http://www.fs.fed.us/pct/

[simonov]

Check this out, a Google Earth KMZ of the entire PCT: http://files.meetup.com/332719/pct05_1.kmz

[halfmile]

Jeff, I recently started uploading maps of the PCT that I have created at www.pctmap.net

You can check there and see if anything meets your needs. You probably want Section B.

-Halfmile

[wasatchrunner]

Thanks everyone.

halfmile - Great map, just what I needed. Looks like it would be easier to jump on by Snow Village since it is close to Palm Springs. How far out of Palm Springs does the PCT cross 74? Would this area still have snow?

Jeff

[woodowl]

For great PCT maps go to www.hikertrash.com .

[zippetydude]

Hey Wasatch: When are you going to be out this way? If you mentioned the date, I've forgotten it.

I'm hoping to do the PCT soon, and could potentially take some pics to help you find the way. The route is kinda weird coming out of Snow Creek. There's a sign that looks sorta like something out of the Blair Witch Project, and you follow a very small paved road (on your left as you approach from the 10 fwy) for a little over a mile. Then you'll see a boulder that says "PCT" on your right, and the trail takes off from there. I'll try to get you some pics and post a link.

Incidentally, is this an annual trip for you? As I recall, it was right at this time when you posted last year.

z

[halhiker]

The best section for running on the PCT is the section leaving Hwy 74 that is mentioned above. The trail here is fairly level and well trodden. It is also not as rocky as several of the other sections. To reach any other section of the PCT--except out of Snow Creek--requires using a spur trail to get to it. The section out of Snow Creek is not as good for running because it's all climbing going in although there are some ridiculously long switchbacks that take some of the elevation gain out of the trail.

Drive time from Palm Springs to the PCT on Hwy 74 is about an hour.

The best running trail in the city of Palm Springs would probably be Palm Canyon. It's long, scenic and the elevation gain is not too extreme. It's in the Indian Canyons so you'll have to pay to get in but it's well worth the cost.

Drive time from Palm Springs is about 10 minutes.

[wasatchrunner]

zippetydude - Yes this may become an annual trip. The company I work for is sending me to a conference in Palm Springs that has been held in March every year so far. Last year I had a family emergency come up at the last moment and didn't make it so this will be my first year. I will be there March 15-20.

Pictures would be good. I'll keep an eye on the message board. If your up for an early run (on the trail no later than 6am) let me know.

Jeff