Pacific Crest Trail 2012 season through hikers

[Tall Trees]

I was up at Big Pines this afternoon and the first PCT through hiker that I have seen this season walked past me heading towards the village.  He stopped to ask me several questions about Wrightwood such as, do they have a motel?, is there a post office?,  is there a grocery store?, are there restaurants?, etc.  After answering all of his questions I told him that he was the first PCT through hiker that I have seen this season.  He quickly replied that five other PCT through hikers were ahead of him including a girl with green hair.  He then asked me if I could give him a ride into town and I had to say no because I was in my Forest Service vehicle and we are not allowed to give rides unless it is an emergency.  I told him the people up here are very friendly and if you hitch a ride it won't take long for someone to stop.  Just then a car was driving past and the hiker struck out his thumb for a ride and a white SUV with a mother and a couple of children inside stopped and gave the PCT hiker a ride into town.  He was very grateful.

[Mrs. Hillbilly]

Funny how he knew there were five people in front of him and that he had no idea if WW had a motel, post office, restaurants and grocery store...

Maybe the green haired girl is keeping things secret.... 

[lcadder]

I was at Grassy Hollow this morning and met my first  through hiker of the season.  He knew there were six in front of him.

[RobertW]

Many start off at the "start" of the PCT near the border together.  There is a big rally.  As they hike they hook up with those that hike about the same speed as they do and keep track of those that have passed them.  Thus, he probably knew the 5 or 6 were ahead of him.  Usually most are much more aware of Wrightwood as it is considered a very friendly PCT hiker town.  Wrightwood's postoffice is the first resupply stop for many.

Of approximately 300 who attempt to "Thru-hike" the entire PCT from border to border each year, only about 60% are successful.  For more interesting facts on the PCT and some Fun Facts as well see pages 1 and 4 of the May 2010 Big Pines Volunteer Newsletter:

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/bigpines/Newsletter%20May%202010.pdf

Without the snowpack, I suspect the PCT hikers will be making  it through Wrightwood a little earlier than normal, as evidenced by "Tall Trees".

[Mrs. Hillbilly]

My daughter has a good question for the hikers.

When the hikers get to the end of the trail, do they take an airplane back home?

[FIGHT ON]

wonder if anyone has walked to the start from their home and then walked back home from the finish? 

[snwbnny]

Yes, they usually fly home. Many of them don't even live on the west coast so they are flying to the start and flying home from the finish. Some will take busses and trains and planes to make the total trip, depending on where they get off the trail. I know of a couple of them that lived in the pacific northwest and just had someone pick them up on our side of the border.

[Dave C]

wonder if anyone has walked to the start from their home and then walked back home from the finish? 

Yes, it's called a yoyo. Very few have done it, though.

[hikin_jim]

Saw one through hiker up on Blue Ridge a little east of Guffy on Monday, so a few are still passing through.  Good luck to 'em.

HJ

[snwbnny]

I'm still getting quite a few hiker calls a day so there are still plenty in our area.

[SkierBob]

Two groups of 75 came through Green Valley over the weekend.  Another group of 45 Tuesday. 

[hikin_jim]

Two groups of 75 came through Green Valley over the weekend.  Another group of 45 Tuesday.

75!   

HJ

[SkierBob]

75!   

HJ

They said they were not necessarily hiking all together but they were camping together.

[SkierBob]

They made it! 

Heather aka "Mama Bear" and Sierra aka "Monkey" are a mother and daughter attempting to hike the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. We will start in late April and hope to finish in early October. If all goes as planned, Sierra will finish third grade, celebrate her 9th birthday, and start fourth grade all on the trail!



http://www.sierrapct.blogspot.com/2012/09/day-155-spring-near-crest-to-manning.html

[ForestGal]

Holy Cow!  What an amazing achievement for anyone, never mind someone so young.  I wonder if Sierra is the youngest person ever to complete the through hike.  Congratulations to both of them!!

[Bob C]

That's an experience neither of them will ever forget.

[Jim Wilkins]

Sierra becomes the youngest child to complete the entire PCT traveling without any deviations .

[ChrisLynnet]

That is fantastic! I was thinking about them just the other day and wondering if they were close to being finished. Incredible stuff.