pct section hiking san jacinto in april

[futbol]

I plan to section hike the PCT from Warner Springs to San Gorgonio Pass via San Jacinto mid/late April.

Word on https://sanjacjon.com/ site is that microspikes are all that is needed if staying on the trail and potentially bypassing Apache Peak. There will be snow and ice, but snow shoes and/or crampons/ice pick (and ability to use them) are not needed if staying on the already post-holed trail.

Snow is melting, but some dusting is expected within the next few weeks.

I will probably spending more than one night up there so I will need both a state and federal permit for this, in addition to the Cal fire permit to use a jet cooker. True?

Any advice on catching a bus from San Gorgonio Pass to LA->San Diego? Should I hike to Palm Springs to take a flight or bus, or is that a bad idea?

Thanks!

[guest]

Hi futbol,
Good you have SanJacJon's site and info, (he recently posted a nice video on that section of the PCT), which you may have seen. Assuming some thru-hikers will begin before your trip, that section should get booted in fairly well, but, as you mentioned, some more snow, (light as it may be), could add to those conditions. If you have some experience on snow and ice, (plus using micro-spikes), then I'd think those w poles should get you through.
I'm not that familiar with that section, (maybe others here can chime in), but checking with NWS forecast, the next week will have winds, temps dipping below freezing at 8,500 ft., (higher than the area in question), but that sounds to me like some potential freezing at night, which could change things quit a bit.
Maybe Jon will head that way in the next week or two, knowing thru-hikers are coming, or post something on the PCT messageboards.

Not sure about the current permit requirements, but as you stated, you'll be in Nat'l forest & State park, (you could call one of these agencies in their Idyllwild office for clarification).

Don't know much about the bus situation either, you'll exit at Snow Creek village off the mountain, then a few more miles to the 10 frwy. You would only be 20 min Lyft ride to Palm Springs airport, which, a bit more expensive, would probably be easiest and quickest way home, (LA & San Diego are both 2+ hr drives from the pass area, with typical traffic. Their used to be a Greyhound Bus (I believe) at the PS train depot, (only restrooms and shade last time I drove by), which is off N. Indian Canyon Dr., where Amtrak stops, so you could ck on that.

Enjoy your trek, there's some beautiful scenery throughout that section, Scott

[futbol]

Thanks Scott... excellent info.

I'll follow-up with SanJacJon's on site updates up until departure.

Spikes and trekking poles it is.