Snow Creek to Tram via PCT 11/17/09

[halhiker]

Well, that was fun.

Falls Creek Road 5:30 a.m. I wanted to get there at 5 but I'm not good in the morning so 5:30 it was.

Fuller Ridge Trailhead 11:30 a.m. The lower section of the PCT is made for motoring. It's a fairly gentle grade the whole way and you can keep a good pace without difficulty. It's a bit overgrown but I wouldn't call it bushwhacking, more like weed whacking. They are more like low bushes that scratch your legs, brittlebush and some other annoying low plant. If you don't want scratched legs were light pants or tights. I hardly broke a sweat on this section. The weather was nice and I didn't get any sun until above 3500 due to the canyon. It took me six hours to do this part and I held back not wanting to wear myself out. The faster hikers will be able to do much better than I: the trail is very runnable.

San Jacinto Peak 3:30 This section was tougher because all along Fuller Ridge there is snow. There is not a lot of snow, maybe an inch or two, but it goes on forever. There are miles of it. It was very hard to get a good pace and this section wore me out. I also slipped on ice two times but caught myself before falling.

Long Valley Ranger Station 5:30. I didn't want to walk in the dark but I had to pull out the headlamp halfway between Round Valley and finishing just because of the rocks and roots. I didn't want to biff it right at the end.

Tram Bar 5:40 After walking up the ramp I took the elevator straight to the bar. One Fat Tire to finish up a fun and challenging day.

I'll post a full report on my blog and post a link when I get the energy. Right now a hot bath is calling me.

[lee]

Awesome.
Looking forward to reading your blog, Hal.

[bluerail]

Sounds like a nice trip Hal. Look forward to reading more about it on your blog. So would you use microspikes on Fuller Ridge? enough snow might be left this weekend for water?

[halhiker]

Sounds like a nice trip Hal. Look forward to reading more about it on your blog. So would you use microspikes on Fuller Ridge? enough snow might be left this weekend for water?

There is water in one creek between Fuller Ridge and Deer Springs although it was iced over. But I'll have beverages at the Fuller Ridge Trailhead

[zippetydude]

Wow! I thought you were going to do a little scouting, not do the whole thing! Nice job - 31 miles is a long day no matter what.

Hey, how did you get back to your car? Come to think of it, how are all of us going to get back to our cars? I wonder if Florian is willing to do a shuttle or two...

By the way, if we're starting at 3:30 or so, we may be hitting our junction at about 7:30 or so - is that time okay with you hal?

For the actual meeting spot, were you thinking at the Fuller Ridge Trailhead? (I know the trail crosses the road before that, but whichever place is easier for you is fine.)

Hope you enjoyed that cold one up top. You deserved it.

z

[lilbitmo]

Absolutely excellent job Hal, cannot wait to hear the rest of the trip report.

Your times are great as well, it allows the average hikers the chance to do this hike as well, as long as we/they start early enough. I agree with "Zip" that a 3 to 3:30 start will put everyone back to the Tram before dark or just at it. The slower hikers will come through Fuller Ridge at 9 to 9:30 AM. (not that Hal is slow, he was conserving his pace for a more sustained energy throughout the hike and I respect his thinking and decision )

Do we have a head count yet?

Does anyone want to carpool out from Orange County?

And can we fine tune the actual place to park our cars on the Snow Creek road without pissing the "community off"?

And with all that snow on Fuller Ridge are we absolutely sure that the rangers have the gate open to Fuller Ridge/Black Mountain Road and Campground? Would hate to have hikers expecting Hal to be sitting there at that spot and him not be able to get up there?

I'm willing to drive my big truck to the Overnight Lot at the Tram and Shuttle Folks back to their cars at Snow Creek when I complete my hike. My truck can handle up to 8 people if need be and their packs. But if I leave it there I will need to coordinate a ride to the trail head to start. Hell I'm willing to trust someone to drive my truck back to Snow Creek and deliver the first group of hikers to their cars if need be, but will appreciate it being brought back so I have a ride when I come off the Tram

If we are lucky the day will be warm enough and the snow on Fuller Ridge will soften slightly so we don't need "Micro Spikes" as Zip mentioned above.

Looks like we are in for a long fun day.

[magikwalt]

12 hours start to finish. Right on time Hal. Nice job and Thank You for the TR to prep the crowd.

[halhiker]

7:30 is probably not possible for me to be at Fuller Ridge but I will try to get there as early as possible. I will see if I can spend the night at my father in law's in Mountain Center so I can get up there early. Leaving Fuller Ridge that early would be tough because any remaining snow would be icy and dangerous. If you were there that early microspikes might be recommended. It will probably be below freezing at that time.

[Dave G]

Does anyone want to carpool out from Orange County?

Patrick: I'm undecided at the moment, but if I do go we could carpool. I'll let you know.

[brad]

Not sure, but I think that the road up to the lower tram station is usually not open until 5:30 or 6:00. You would need to leave your truck the night before??