PCT angel/host

[treehugger]

Does anyone know how to get to be Pacific Crest Trail angel/host? I've heard of others in town do it in the past and we would like to try it next spring.

[Elk]

Have you tried this site for info? I am sure someone here can help you get in touch with the right people.

http://www.pcta.org/index.asp

[treehugger]

That was the first place I looked, but did not find anything for hosting hikers.

[Elk]

After posting the link I looked around and noticed that there was not any info for this region. I did see a couple things about hosting in Canada and the Northwest US but nothing for So.Cal.

Try contacting PCTA with an email or maybe try the hostel in Agua Dulce. They also had a forum and links to a few blogs. I'm sure there are very passionate people willing to help.

[snwbnny]

We did it for the first time this last season. We plan on doing it again next year - hopefully we'll actually have the guest room ready by then!

We really just randomly saw some hikers outside the hardware store and offered to take them home with us. But the hardware store has a list that you sign up on - and the hikers can call you. I know you list what ammenities you have and how many people you can take. The hikers go and check in there when they come into town. I know there was a need this year for driving hikers into town from Table Mountain where the lodge was open for housing.

[hikin_jim]

Just putting water out in some of the caches along the trail qualifies you as a trail angel.  The stretch from Cajon Jct to Guffy is generally waterless unless there are patches of snow.  http://www.4jeffrey.net/pct/a.htm lists water caches.  Section "D" is near Wrightwood.  You can stock an existing cache or start a new one where you see the need.  If needed, you could write AsABat@4jeffrey.net who maintains the site.  He might be able to point out a spot that needs a new cache or a cache that needs stocking.

That being said, I by no means discourage you from taking in hikers or being a trail angel in some other fashion.

HJ

[RobertW]

There are several in town that Host PCT hikers.  As mentioned above they put their information on the board at the hardware store.  Wrightwood is a scheduled stop for most PCT hikers so as to resupply and pickup packages they've mailed to themselves at the Post Office.  (BTW, Wrightwood is well spoken of in many of the PCT hiker blogs).

Most of the PCT hikers come through town during the month of May, but some hike the trail in portions and can arrive at any time.  That was the case of a PCT hiker from Canada just a few weeks ago. (She was hiking the PCT trail in sections and had gotten snowed out in the Sierras and so took a bus South and began hiking this portion of the trail).

She came down the Acorn Trail and spent the night with a couple here in town who host PCT hikers.  They also drove her to the Acton or Aqua Dulce area where she could cache some water. 

I was able to give her a ride back up to the top of the Acorn Trail as she was a "purist" and wanted to hike every foot of the trail.  She hoped to make it to the southern portion of the Sierras where she began the Sierra portion of her trek, before the snow chased her even further South to start that portion between Mexico and here.

[treehugger]

Thanks everyone for their comments. Looks like a visit to the hardware store is on order.

I do also like the idea of just offering to those hikers around the PO or Mt. Hardware. I'm glad I've got until spring to straighten up the garage!

[asabat]

Just putting water out in some of the caches along the trail qualifies you as a trail angel.  The stretch from Cajon Jct to Guffy is generally waterless unless there are patches of snow.  http://www.4jeffrey.net/pct/a.htm lists water caches.  Section "D" is near Wrightwood.  You can stock an existing cache or start a new one where you see the need.  If needed, you could write AsABat@4jeffrey.net who maintains the site.  He might be able to point out a spot that needs a new cache or a cache that needs stocking.

There is a water cache near Swarthout Canyon Road that is more or less regularly maintained, although I know the cacher could use some help keeping it supplied. There have been caches on occassional farther up the PCT, but those don't appear to be as established or regularly maintained.

I list just a few of the larger caches on my website. There are often many others, but they are either smaller or not regularly stocked and cleaned up. Tying bottles together keeps the empties from blowing away.

AsABat
PCT Water Reports So Cal pct.4jeffrey.net

[Wrightwood]

Can you tell us approximately how often the water cache near Swarthout Canyon Road should be maintained and how much water is generally needed to replenish it.

There is a water cache near Swarthout Canyon Road that is more or less regularly maintained, although I know the cacher could use some help keeping it supplied.

[asabat]

Can you tell us approximately how often the water cache near Swarthout Canyon Road should be maintained and how much water is generally needed to replenish it.

They generally go through about 150 gallons per season. The season runs roughly from April 1 to July 1, with most hikers going through in the month of May.

I'm send you a PM on more details.