View Full Version : 12-14 days on PCT in winter
strollingalong
10-06-2013, 19:09
If one were to do an approx. 10-14 day hike so id prob say 100-150 miles approx. would any section be possible/enjoyable in winter 20th dec to 4th jan approx??? I don't want to be hiking in snow, cold is ok, but whaddya reckon.... Im an at thru hiker.
Border to Warner springs or Anza would be doable. Could be some snow but unlikely to cause many problem. SoCal would be the only high probability option.
strollingalong
10-06-2013, 20:03
what temps are we talking? have no other option than these dates and would like to get out in the woods
strollingalong
10-06-2013, 20:07
I mean "woods"
You will have sub freezing temps and high winds but that is normal even in the spring. The areas where you are likely to see snow would be near San Jacinto thru big bear, Cajon Pass until you drop down after Baden Powell and a fair chance after Tehachapi. The problem is that the areas likely to get snow are also the nicest areas well.
Most of the PCT is under deep snow in the winter and would be more of a serious moutaineering experience then a gentle stroll in snowshoes as you could die. SoCal is the only realistic place. The lower desert sections are always open and will be cool with chances of rain. The mountain areas of SoCal will be iffy. Though we can get snow in our mountains any time from November we usually won't get large amounts until late December/early January which is when you are thinking of starting. If its a another dry winter like last year or the winter storms come late, you could hike some of the mountain sections of SoCal, but you won't know until you are ready to go.
It can snow on Mt Laguna (~40 miles from the border), but it often melts off and you aren't in it for a long distance (a few hours of hiking at the most). Then you are fine until you get to the San Jacinto Wilderness area near Idyllwild. In bad snow, the desert divide climbing up to the Wilderness area is almost impassible as a slip means a vertical fall. Also the trail through here is closed due to a big summer fire that damaged the trail and may affect next years thru-hikers. Its the same on the other side of San Jacinto as you go across Fueller Ridge where a slip could kill you. Then the trail drops fast into the desert going under the I-10 to start a slow climb up towards Big Bear (which has ski resorts so more snow is possible). The trail will drop below the likely snow line as you hike towards the I-15 before quickly climbing backup into it by the mountain town of Wrightwood (also has ski resorts) only to slowly drop back out of it as the mountain elevations get smaller as you continue north (more like west there) until you drop into the desert again. Though there are a few more places where snow is possible, you likely could continue until you get to Hwy 58 by the towns of Mojave/Tehachapi. After that you'll hit snow for sure as you are in the southern Sierra Nevada.
In the desert sections, you'll hike pleasant temperatures if sunny. Cold if raining. The mountains will be cold in the day (often near or below freezing in the higher elevations and everywhere if its snowing). The nights will likely be below freezing no matter where you are. Snow line normally is around 4500 ft when it dumps and slowly melts up a if no storms come in behind it.
Even if the mountains are free of snow, you won't be in trees for more then a 2-3 days at a time before returning to the desert.
plus, the days are short and the nites in the tent are long. dang winter.