Pacific Crest Trail: Northern California. Jeffrey P. Schaffer

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СКАЧАТЬ stays in the backcountry, as in Yosemite National Park. (For years they’ve been banned overnight in the backcountry of Lassen Volcanic National Park.) What logistics could you devise if ultimately you were banned from overnight camping in wildernesses and national parks? In effect, you would only be able to do those parts you could do as day rides.

      Backcountry Horsemen of California

      This organization (which, despite its name, is open to horsewomen) was created in 1981. Though its mailing address has shifted in the past, in 2001 you can reach it at Box 40007, Bakersfield, CA 93384-0007, or by phone at (888) 302-BCHC (information and fax line) and, in the 209 area code, 530-0662, or at its Web site at www.bchc.com. BCHC is dedicated to conserving backcountry wilderness and protecting stock users’ historic use of wilderness trails. Among other things, the organization offers clinics that show you how to pack with a horse and/or mule in the mountains. Besides teaching the fundamentals of packing, it stresses low-impact use, courtesy, and common sense. Available from the organization, directly off its Web site, is “Gentle Use: A Pocket Guide to Backcountry Stock Users.” Much of their good advice also applies to backpackers. The BCHC is a member organization of the Backcountry Horsemen of America (BCHA).

      Backcountry Horsemen of America

      Like the previous organization, BCHA also includes horsewomen, but it does not include all of the United States, but only 11 western states plus several others of the coterminous 48 states. If you plan to continue riding north beyond California, into Oregon and/or Washington, you might start with this organization. It publishes a quarterly newsletter plus a book—very relevant for California equestrians—Back Country Horsemen Guidebook (see “Recommended Reading and Source Materials: Backpacking, Packing, and Mountaineering”).

Mailing Tips

      As was stated in the beginning of this chapter, the great majority of PCT hikers will not be on the trail long enough to bother with resupply points, which are mostly post offices. Those who will be on the trail for, say, one to several hiking sections can use the following table. The minority who attempt to do all of California also should consider obtaining Leslie C. Croot’s Pacific Crest Trail Town Guide, mentioned early in this chapter, since she gives post office hours as well as some of their phone numbers. (Be aware that this kind of information has changed in the past, and likely will do so in the future.)

      You can mail yourself almost any food, clothing or equipment. Before you leave home, you should have a good idea of your consumption rate of food, clothing, and fuel for your stove. You can arrange for mailings of quantities of these things1, purchased at home, where they are probably cheaper than in the towns along the way. Address your package to:

      [Your Name]General Delivery

      [Post Office, State Abbr. Zip Code]

      Hold Until [Date]

      Post Offices Along or Near the Route, South to North

      * = recommended for use

      Some stations are seasonal. The best pickup time is weekdays 1–4 p.m. Hours of most are 9–12 and 1–5 or longer. Some are open Saturday mornings. Plan your trip schedule accordingly in order to avoid waiting two or three days in town because a post office was closed for the weekend (don’t forget about the three-day weekends: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day). Additionally, some resorts or concessionaires may accept mailed or UPS parcels so check the introductory section in each of the trail-description chapters (Sections I–R).

      *Tuolumne Meadows 95389

      Lee Vining 93541 (Use this when Tuomlumne Meadows is closed)

      Bridgeport 93517

      Markleeville 96120

      *Echo Lake 95721

      South Lake Tahoe 96151 (Use this when Echo Lake is closed)

      Tahoma 96142

      Olympic (“Squaw”)

      Valley 96146

      *Soda Springs 95728

      Truckee 96161

      *Sierra City 96125

      La Porte 95981

      Meadow Valley 95956

      Quincy 95971

      *Belden 95915

      Chester 96020

      *Old Station 96071

      Cassel 96016

      *Burney Falls Camper

      Services, McArthur–

      Burney Falls State Park

      24898 Hwy. 89

      Burney 96013

      Burney 96013

      *Castella 96017

      Dunsmuir 96025

      Callahan 96014

      Etna 96027

      *Seiad Valley 96086

      *Ashland, OR 97520

Federal Government Agencies

      Most of the Pacific Crest Trail through California is on federal government lands and, while all have similar regulations, each may have specific requirements. For example, some of the federal government’s wildernesses do not require a wilderness permit for entry while others do, and for some there may be campfire, campsite, and/or food-storage restrictions, while some will have none. As stated earlier, the Pacific Crest Trail Association provides wilderness permits for trips of 500 miles or more on the PCT. However, most of this book’s users will do less than 500 miles, and may need to apply directly to a federal government agency for a permit; they may contact it for some other reason, such as to query trailhead parking fees or check for temporary road or trail closures. Therefore, the appropriate Bureau of Land Management, National Forest, and National Park offices are presented in the following table. While you can write or phone each, you may find it easier to check its Web site first for all pertinent information. If you need a wilderness permit, obtaining it through a Web site is perhaps the most painless way of getting it.

      Federal Government Agencies, South to North

      * = wildernesses and national parks that require a wilderness permit for an overnight stay

      PCT Southern California begins

      BLM-El Centro Field Office

      1661 South Fourth Street

      El Centro, CA 92243

      (760) 337-4400

      www.ca.blm.gov/elcentro

      Cleveland National Forest

      10845 Rancho Bernardo Road

      Rancho СКАЧАТЬ