i want to spend some time on that trail but need advise on best segments for hammock etc??
i want to spend some time on that trail but need advise on best segments for hammock etc??
There are a lot of sections that have trees fit for hanging. Generally some of the most scenic (In my opinion) are Northern Oregon and Washington. The best time of year to come would be late july through early September unless you like then rain and snow.
I have also been looking for info.
The best portion of the trail is the Johm Muir Trail.
More info available
http://www.pcta.org/about_trail/muir/over.asp
Their is an excellent Nat. Geo. special on the PCT. Gives some geat views, advice and general Knowledge about the trail. Id would def suggest checking it out reguardless of weather or not your hikeing the whole trail or parts of it. Gives some really good insight. Enjoy the hike and trip report or pictures or it dident happen.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.co...w#tab-Overview
Sometimes I like to hike and think, And sometimes I just like to hike.
Hiking is'ent about waiting for the storm to pass its about learning to hike in the rain.
The Sierra Nevada has a ton of opportunities... the deserts south of it, not so much.
While there are a lot of alpine areas with no or spindly/unreliable trees, it is relatively easy (if you can do 10+ mile days reliably) to hike into trees... you will need some long tree straps, 15-20 feet if they are your suspension in entirety, 8-15 if they are part of a rope/strap combo, to adjust your hang to trees spaced wide or the girth of some of them (pine trees get very, very large).
I just did the northern most segment of the PCT (section L in Washington). Had no problem finding a place to hang, although there are some long alpine stretches where the trees are sparse.
It is dry hot and bare in many of our sections. Be careful with your water (REALLY not kidding here) and ready to hang in unconventional ways (lots of rock facings). You prolly will end up on the ground at times so be ready for that too. It is spectacular (in places ) here though!
Weight? I'd err in favor of carrying too much water but then that's just me with experience of running out at the worst of moments (100 years ago when packs were made out of mud and sticks).
Well we always had to hike uphill. You had water AND hands!?
Honestly though, when you get to the area near and beyond Walker Pass it starts getting well worth the struggle IMHO. Not that the dry areas before that are not beautiful.
Edit; Though I have never hung a hammock (yet, it's on order), Walker Pass has Piyon Pines and Digger Pine. As you trek up to the Kern Plateau area bigger trees get more available. Me? I'd start/end at Walker Pass maybe as far South as Hwy 58.
Last edited by Law Dawg (ret); 09-28-2010 at 14:01.
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