Alternative Hiking Areas

[KathyW]

another alternate would be the Southern Sierra - the PCT in the Walker Pass area is really nice.

[MikeJ]

I'm heading up to Zion NP this weekend. There is good clean air there. It's a bit of a drive so I am taking a couple of days off work to make a long weekend out of it.

The Cottonwoods are all turning yellow so there is some spectacular scenery right now.

[KathyW]

From my map it looks like it's at least 12 miles from Cottonwood (before Whitewater) to where the PCT goes into the National Forest. If I can get up early enough in the morning, I might head out there and go a few miles up the trail. It doesn't look like access is available from Whitewater yet - I called and the message said the Whitewater facility was closed but would open up in January.

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi, Kathy,

don't know if you got a chance to hit the proverbial trail, but any TR type info would be great. I'm not at all familiar with this side of the Wilderness and don't even know where the trailhead is except in the most general sense (from the map).

HJ

[KathyW]

Jim: I didn't end up heading up the PCT yesterday. It was kind of nice just staying home this weekend - I did some running around the neighborhood - did a 7.5 mile run this morning - I'm trying to build up to longer miles because I'd like to try a half-marathon eventually.

I've been up the PCT from Cottonwood to the saddle at about 3200 feet that is past the windmill office - I haven't gone past that but it drops after that and goes down to near the Whitewater Trout Farm before heading up again to Red Dome and eventually Mission Creek. It's pretty warm along that first section from Cottonwood, so a cool day really helps.

From the map, it looks like there is a point where you could leave the PCT and go xcountry to Kitching Peak - I haven't mapped out the miles, but it would help to start at the Whitewater Preserve (old Trout Farm) instead of Cottonwood.

Kathy

[zippetydude]

Hi Kathy. I had the same idea as you, and I went out Saturday. Yes, the PCT does drop after that pass - it goes down into that canyon to about 2600', then climbs back up the other side to about 2900 before dropping down to Whitewater, about 1/2 mile north of the old trout farm. From there, you can follow it up to San G. I've done about the first 15-16 miles, but since the trips scouting it out are out-and-back trips, if I go any farther, it'll be shorter to go on through to the Mission Creek Camp (where the Fish Creek road ends, roughly) at 27 miles than it would be to turn around and come back.

Be extra careful out there. I've seen big rattlers back there, and (unlike Skyline) there's no cell reception for very long stretches.

By the way, there was a big bull grazing right past the San Gorgonio Wilderness Boundary sign (about 1/2 mile beyond the pass you mentioned). Lucky for me, he was just as startled as I was when I suddenly popped around the bend. He ran away just as I was looking around for a big rock to hide behind...

If they don't re-open the wilderness, perhaps I'll see you out there next weekend! If they do, I'll be going the other way on the PCT, from Snow Creek to San J.

z

[halhiker]

going up the pct to San jacinto don't you get into the forest near the top?

[zippetydude]

hi hal. Yes, you stay in Skyline type chapparal until about mile 13, then you cross over the ridge and drop into forest. About 4 or 5 more miles and you're at the Fuller Ridge trailhead, and all the rest from there is similar to the terrain above the tram. Cool thing about that route: You can see your starting point (Snow Creek) from the peak. I'm hoping my Flintstone feet will carry me up there next weekend if the forest re-opens.

z

[KathyW]

Zip: Thanks for the rattlesnake warning. Last winter I ran into a guy who was carrying a gun when I was near the windmill farm's office and that kind of spooked me until I realized he was just hunting for quail or something like that. I'm sure I'd wet my pants if I ran into a bull out there.

[zippetydude]

Even worse, a bull carrying a shotgun!

As long as we don't run into anyone carrying a sword, I think we'll be okay.

z