It's not too late to check out the PCT north fo Whitewater

[zippetydude]

Okay, c'mon and try something different, all you Skyline fanatics. I took advantage of the cool weather this weekend to check out the PCT going up the Mission Creek drainage. I'll post thumbnails so it doesn't make it a pain to load the thread, but you can click on a picture of course to see it full size. Here's what it looked like as I dropped into Mission Creek:



There are some amazingly tiny little flowers out there. The finger is in the picture just to show relative size:



Here's another shot, again with the shoe to give a reference point for size:



Here's a view of the canyon a little over 10 miles in. It's all pretty once you drop into the Mission Creek area.



Mt. San J begins to peek up over the hills as I'm heading back. This is about 6 miles from Whitewater.



San J comes into full view, with the Whitewater River drainage visible in front



More wildflowers on the way back. It's a beautiful time of year out there!


z

[lilbitmo]

Nice work Zip, that area is nicer than people know unless they've been there.

(Not to hijack the thread - are you still doing the get-to-gether? When?)

[zippetydude]

Thanks for the question Patrick. I had planned on having it already by now, so when the schedule got bumped back due to unfortunate circumstances, I looked at the calendar and saw that Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day and all sorts of graduation ceremonies were coming up. Now I'm thinking about just going ahead and scheduling it on the same weekend as the original, which would be June 25th, and then maybe just making it an annual thing that requires very little planning and everyone can put on their calendars well in advance. I'll post the update tomorrow and we can all (finally) get it going.

Incidentally, it sounds like you know that area of the PCT. Have you gone all the way through to Mission Creek Camp? I'm hoping to finally do that either now or in the fall, depending on the snow and the condition of the trail. I'm tempted to try the whole thing as an out and back, but I don't think I can handle the mileage.

z

[lilbitmo]

Thanks for the question Patrick. I had planned on having it already by now, so when the schedule got bumped back due to unfortunate circumstances, I looked at the calendar and saw that Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day and all sorts of graduation ceremonies were coming up. Now I'm thinking about just going ahead and scheduling it on the same weekend as the original, which would be June 25th, and then maybe just making it an annual thing that requires very little planning and everyone can put on their calendars well in advance. I'll post the update tomorrow and we can all (finally) get it going.

Incidentally, it sounds like you know that area of the PCT. Have you gone all the way through to Mission Creek Camp? I'm hoping to finally do that either now or in the fall, depending on the snow and the condition of the trail. I'm tempted to try the whole thing as an out and back, but I don't think I can handle the mileage.

z

I'll be visiting family in Michigan on the 25th, just got word that my father has the big "C" for the fourth time in three years, he's beat it each time but it keeps coming back in different parts of the body, plus a wedding, plus my niece is graduating, so I will miss the get-to-gether unfortunately, was looking forward to being there - I'll be there in spirit

Yes, back in the fall of 2006 after the first snow's a friend dropped two of us off at the bend in the road just shy of the "Trout Farm" (when it was still privately owned) up Whitewater proper. We crossed over the creek and picked up the trail there and went in about 12 miles before calling it a night, got up the next day and hiked all the way to "Coon Creek Jump Off and Highway 38" area. There's some amazing views of Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Desert Hot Springs and all points East from the ridgelines back there - other than PCT'rs and a few hearty souls, it doesn't get much traffic - you'll love it.

[wb]

I'll second the comments on this thread.

Camped at Red Dome (a few miles up the Whitewater drainage) on Wed night, took off early thursday morning on the PCT and hiked to 7200 ft (Junction Flats about 4 miles east of Mission Springs Campground). Water availiable all the way up the canyon. Beautiful flowers and views. 48 degrees Wednesday to 94 degrees Thursday afternoon. Lots of wildlife, including a black rattler that I nearly stepped on. Friday morning went from Junction Flats to Deer Springs Campground. Cool temps and numerous water sources made it unncessary to camel-up lots of water. Early Sat morning the temps dropped to 25 degrees, and I was thankful to have taken a tent and fly! Departed Deer Springs Saturday morning and arrived at Hwy 18 by noon. Thumbed to Vons, where my car was parked. 46 mile trip from Whitewater Reserve (where the road crosses Whitewater River) to the intersection of PCT & Hwy 18.

Highly recommended hike!

[msugarpants]

hey Zip (and everyone else)

I don't think this thread could've come at a better time for me. I was planning on doing a long dayhike Saturday as a shuttle from Mission Creek outside DHS to Whitewater/PCT and then heading north on PCT for about 4 miles or so....then back the other direction to the parking lot at the trout farm. I have a buddy coming in from AZ and we thought this looked like a good, scenic 15 mile route. I am not sure that is what you are describing here or not because I am not familiar with the area. I could use some suggestions as to what a good 15 or so mile dayhike would be out that ways. The temps look as though they will be perfect! Is there much water we follow along this route? If not, could you recommend something similar that may follow the creek or whitewater moreso than the traditional trail? Finally, how are the flowers looking? I know flower season is mostly over, but you seem to have still found a good amount. Nice shots on webshots, man! Any suggestions are appreciated
-Mike

[zippetydude]

Hi Mike. If I'm reading your post right, you'd come in from the desert along Mission Creek until you hit the PCT, go north a little way along the PCT , then turn around after a while and follow the PCT back to Whitewater, right?

If so, it sounds like a great plan, as the trail is remarkably clear (the crew just worked there a couple weeks ago) and the water is fresh and abundant. I don't remember how far it is in from the Mission Creek Trailhead over to the PCT, but it's not far (maybe 4 or 5 miles?). You won't need to carry much water, because you'll be going along the creek much of the time.

It's about 7 miles from where the PCT hits Mission Creek back to the Whitewater Preserve, but only about 4.5 from the creek to where you make a crossing of the river, so again, you'll have a water source. I never filter it, I just drink it straight from the stream, and I've never had any problem. The stretch from Mission Creek over to Whitewater is up and over a couple of ridges, and this is where you find all the wildflowers and some wonderful views.

If I'm out that way again I'll keep an eye out for you. Hope you have some fun.

z

[bluerail]

I'm not a fanatic..it's just all about gain and snakes...looking for maybe one last snow shot at the creek.

at least now I know what youre up to.

[bluerail]

okay....looks like we're in, creek cools midweek.

I'll bring the raid ( I'm a plastic and concrete whitey)

Fern'll bring the machete (soulful mexican)

we ARE gonna kill things..right ?

[KathyW]

That is a beautiful area for flowers. Someday, I'd like to go in at the Trout Farm and go all the way to Kitching Peak. Maybe as an overnight trip.

I was surprised at how beautiful the flowers were along the Skyline Trail yesterday. It's been a number of years since there were so many flowers along that trail.