Follow Ellen and Sally on the Snow Creek PCT to Tram on Wed

[Sally]

Hi munmile, I couldn't hear the conversation that Ellen had with the Snow Creek resident, and I haven't spoken to Ellen yet, but I don't think the guywas pleasant and helpful after reading Ellen's post. It was too dark to see the color of the guy's vehicle. Another resident did pull up to my car and asked if I was OK - he seemed friendly enough.

So where DO you park legally?

Hi drndr, The trail is very clear to see all along the way.

[Ellen]

Howdy Munmile

There were two vehicles coming up as we were heading out. The resident in the first vehicle was a woman -- I believe driving a brown truck. She said if I parked there again I would be towed as I was in a fire lane. I apologized and said thanks and that I would not park on that road again. Then I saw the note on my windshield and removed it. I did not talk to the person in the second vehicle.

A little background: we turned left off the main road at the "Blair Witch" sign and drove up to where I parked last time -- in the dirt area on the south side before the locked gate. A sign clearly said "No parking." Turned around and headed back to the next junction. A sign at the junction said "No parking." Sally even got out of the car to read the sign.

We turned left (north) and went up the road a bit. We saw houses on the west side -- clearly we weren't going to park there. Turned around and headed back down the road to a wide spot on the east side where I could park in the dirt well off the road. From what I could see, the road going up from 111 to Snow Creek Village (south of the "Blair Witch" sign) had "no parking" signs as well.

Some thoughts:

1) I respect the privacy of the Snow Creek residents and do not want to tresspass.

2) Most importantly, I do not want to create conflict between hikers and the Snow Creek community.

3) Posted signs for acceptable hiker parking would be very helpful.

4) I appreciate receiving a one-time verbal and written warning and not having my car towed. However, I can see how other hikers may accidently park on private property because of a lack of knowledge as to where to park legally.

5) Perhaps the "warning" note could have a map with marked areas for hiker parking.

Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help educate other hikers via this board.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[munmile]

The best place for hikers to park for the PCT is on the east shoulder of Snow Creek road, north of the "blair witch" sign. No one in the village should be leaving anything on your car if you park there. All of Falls Creek road is very narrow and there is no place to park along it that doesn't impede emergency vehicles or construction trucks

Congratulations to all on your accomplishment and apologies for the
parking snafu. I will ask the SC HOA about adding a sign at the location I described so hikers have one less thing to worry about.

peace

[Ellen]

Howdy Munmile

Thank you SO MUCH for the information regarding parking

From the heart,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

I will ask the SC HOA about adding a sign at the location I described so hikers have one less thing to worry about.

That would be really great. Most of the serious hikers I know strongly prefer to do the right thing, and don't want to cause friction with local residents.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

We made it! Hikin' too much to take many pictures, but here they are:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1009477359 ... directlink

Trip report later.

First, congrats to you both. HECK of a hike.

Great pics, particularly this one:


Would you look at just how far away that peak is?!?

HJ

[lesper4]

30 miles huh, that is awesome, great job!

[Backwoods]

I was thinking about joining ya but I'm to lazy to get up that early. If ya ever do a overnighter that's more my speed. Nice Report and Pic's Thank's for having us along.