Day & Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Northern California

By Wendy Lautner

Instead of guiding travelers through the arduous task of hiking the entire PCT, the goal of this book is to help plan trips that incorporate hiking on the PCT in Northern California, whether hikers have just an afternoon to spare or want to escape for the entire weekend. The author's hike choices most often include the opportunity for a wilderness swim or a summit hike to take in outstanding views. Maps and elevation graphs were carefully produced using GPS data collected by the author while out on the trail.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wilderness Press
• Release date: Sep 29, 2010
• ISBN: 9780899976457

Book preview

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Introduction

How to Use This Guidebook

THE OVERVIEW MAP AND OVERVIEW MAP KEY

USE THE OVERVIEW MAP on the inside front cover to pinpoint the exact location of each hike’s primary trailhead. Hike numbers appear on the overview map, on the map key facing the overview map, in the table of contents, at the beginning of each hike profile, and at the top of each trail map.

The book is organized by region as indicated in the table of contents, and the hikes within each region are noted as day hikes, overnight hikes, or a combination of the two. They are also labeled on the Table of Contents as out-and-back, loop, or point-to-point routes. A legend on the inside back cover explains the symbols found on the trail maps.

TRAIL MAPS

Each hike contains a detailed map that shows the trailhead, the route, significant features, facilities, and landmarks such as creeks, overlooks, and peaks. I gathered map data by carrying a Garmin eTrex Legend and Garmin eTrex Venture HC while hiking. This data was downloaded into a digital mapping program, TOPO USA, and then processed by an expert cartographer to produce the highly accurate maps in this book. Each trailhead’s GPS coordinates are included with each profile (see page). In each hike’s summary information, I also recommend a commercially available, color map that you may find useful, particularly for backpacking or cross-country trekking.

Crossing the outflow of an unnamed lake in Yosemite’s high country on the way from Ireland Lake (Hike 2) to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp

ELEVATION PROFILES

Corresponding directly to the trail map, each hike contains an elevation profile that enables you to easily visualize how the trail rises and falls. Key points along the way are labeled. Note the number of feet between each tick mark on the vertical axis (the height scale). To keep flat hikes from looking steep and steep hikes from appearing flat, height scales are included to provide an accurate assessment of climbing difficulty.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES

To collect accurate map data, I carried a handheld GPS unit (Garmin eTrex series) as I scouted. The data collected was then downloaded and plotted onto a digital U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topo map. In addition to rendering highly specific trail outlines, this book also includes the GPS coordinates for each trailhead in two formats: latitude–longitude and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM). Latitude coordinates tell you where you are by locating points west of the zero-degree meridian line that passes through Greenwich; longitude coordinates do so by locating points north or south of the zero-degree line that belts the Earth, aka the equator.

Topographic maps show latitude and longitude data as well as UTM grid lines. Known as UTM coordinates, the numbers index a specific point using a grid method. The survey datum used to arrive at the coordinates in this book is WGS84 (versus NAD27 or WGS83). For readers who own a GPS unit, whether handheld or onboard a vehicle, the latitude–longitude or UTM coordinates provided on the first page of each hike may be entered into the GPS unit. Just make sure your GPS unit is set to navigate using WGS84 datum. Now you can navigate directly to the trailhead.

Most trailheads, which begin in parking areas, can be reached by car, but some hikes still require a short walk to reach the trailhead from a parking area. In those cases, a handheld unit is necessary to continue the GPS navigation process. That said, however, readers can easily access all trailheads in this book by using the directions given, the overview map, and the trail map, which shows at least one major road leading into the area. But for those who enjoy using the latest GPS technology to navigate, the necessary data has been provided. A brief explanation of the UTM coordinates from Warner Valley Road to Terminal Geyser follows:

The zone number (10) refers to one of the 60 vertical zones of the UTM projection. Each zone is 6 degrees wide. The zone letter (T) refers to one of the 20 horizontal UTM zones that span from 80 degrees south to 84 degrees north. The easting number (0635907) indicates in meters how far east or west a point is from the central meridian of the zone. Increasing easting coordinates on a topo map or on your GPS screen indicate that you are moving east; decreasing easting coordinates indicate that you are moving west. The northing number (4478154) shows in meters how far you are from the equator. Above and below the equator, increasing northing coordinates indicate that you are traveling north; decreasing northing coordinates indicate that you are traveling south.

To learn more about how to enhance your outdoor experiences with GPS technology, refer to Outdoor Navigation with GPS by Stephen Hinch.

THE HIKE PROFILE

In addition to maps, each hike contains a concise but informative narrative of the hike from beginning to end. This descriptive text is enhanced with at-a-glance ratings and information, GPS-based trailhead coordinates, and accurate driving directions that lead you from a major road to the parking area most convenient to the trailhead.

At the beginning of each hike is a box that gives hikers quick access to pertinent information: quality of scenery, condition of the trail, the hike’s appropriateness for children, the difficulty of the hike, the degree of solitude expected, hike distance, approximate hiking time, and outstanding highlights of the trip. The first five categories are rated using a five-star system. Below is an example:

26 Middle Deadfall Lake and Mount Eddy

SCENERY:

TRAIL CONDITION:

CHILDREN:

DIFFICULTY:

SOLITUDE:

DISTANCE: 13.4 miles round-trip to the top of Mount Eddy and around Middle Deadfall Lake; 6 miles round-trip to Middle Deadfall Lake

HIKING TIME: 2–5 hours

MAP: USFS Shasta-Trinity National Forest

OUTSTANDING FEATURES: Middle Deadfall Lake, wildflowers, natural spring, views of Mount Shasta from Mount Eddy

The four stars indicate that the scenery is very picturesque. The trail condition is excellent (one star would mean the trail is likely to be muddy, rocky, overgrown, or otherwise compromised). The hike is doable for able-bodied children (a one-star rating would denote that only the most gung-ho and physically fit children should go). The one star for difficulty lets you know that the hike is easy (five stars would be strenuous). The two stars for solitude mean you can expect to encounter some people on the trail (one star would mean you might well be elbowing your way past other hikers).

Distances given are absolute, but hiking times are estimated for an average hiking speed of 2 to 3 miles per hour, with time built in for pauses at overlooks and brief rests. Overnight-hiking times account for the effort of carrying a backpack.

Following each box is a brief italicized description of the hike. A more detailed account follows in which trail junctions, stream crossings, and trailside features are noted, along with their distance from the trailhead. Flip through the book, read the descriptions, and choose the hikes that appeal to you. The recommended hikes chart (see pages) also helps you choose a hike to fit your mood and