PCT Hikers

[bigpines]

We recently had a few PCT hikers show up at our home. (we host them and have always enjoyed them).  I wanted to let those that host to watch out for Bruce (I will withold the last name).  He was caught in the act of stealing from us and told to leave.  I will continue to host the PCTers.  I just hope Bruces karma catches up with him.

[WWHead]

This really sucks.  I have never hosted any PCT'ers but have enjoyed many of their stories while passing them on the trail.  At least you're not letting this one individual stop your generous ways.  

[Domingo]

FYI, I saw my first PCT hikers of the season today at the post office about 3:15pm.  I talked to one of them and he said the official "send-off" isn't until the end of April, but since there's been so little snow, he and his two buddies decided to start about two weeks ago or so.  He said a week ago they got a little snow in Big Bear (when we got the hail).  We can expect more and more of them over the course of this month.  It's good to have them back in town!

[RobertW]

Every May I spend some time bringing PCT hikers down from Blue Ridge into town and then back up the next day.  It saves them a couple of thousand feet in elevation walking down into town via the Acorn Trail and then back up again.  They seem to really appreciate it and it is great hearing their stories and where they are from.  Last year had one from Australia and another from the East Coast.  Many of them have arrangements with people to imput their daily logs on the internet and you can read about yourself and their experience in Wrightwood and follow their progress all they way up the coast.

Some are "purists" and want to be dropped off at the exact spot they were picked up so they can say they hiked every inch of the trail.  Others don't mind being left off at Inspiration Point.

[Toolman]

Yes I did that last year too. We picked up one at the slide and took her into town to catch up with her partner who went down the Acorn trail into town. Every one of them I've met has had some interesting tails.

 Looking forward to meeting more again this year. We should meet a lot more of them this year eh' Robert?

[bigpines]

I have picked up many.  Sometimes at Del Taco (non purists) and sometimes at Blue Ridge.  They are fun to talk to and very appreciative of everything.  2 years ago I picked up 8 people (in the camper) when we got to the Hardware store it looked like a clown car with all the clowns spilling out!  I always tell them where to eat, where the hardware store and post office and the library are (for internet).  In all the years I've only had a few weirdos.  Mostly young college students who are excited to be in a town. 

[RobertW]

Yes I did that last year too. We picked up one at the slide and took her into town to catch up with her partner who went down the Acorn trail into town. Every one of them I've met has had some interesting tails.

 Looking forward to meeting more again this year. We should meet a lot more of them this year eh' Robert?

What are you trying to say?  I suspect you meant "tales".   

[Hillbillies]

Some of them sure smell like they'd have a tail.....

[RobertW]

Most of the PCT hikers I give a ride to are middle aged guys that have put their careers on hold so as to accomplish the task before they no longer can, physically.  Most seem to have their own businesses.  How else could you take three months off from work.   

It is funny how different hikers will team up with a person on the trail that hike at the same pace.  Some are speedsters and others take it slow and easy.  The only goal is to get to Canada before the snow starts falling at the end of October.

[Toolman]

Some of them sure smell like they'd have a tail.....

 Oppp's...my bad...

[Kevin Quinn]

While walking the PCT above town I passed about 25 very enthusiastic hikers who shared some of their stories with me. I came upon 2 hikers at Guffy camp, one suffering from infected blisters. My wife and I always talked about offering hikers a safe place to stay so I made the offer. They gratefully accepted and just to be brief I will say what a great experience it was. At the Yoddeler we met with at least 20 of their fellow hikers who were all put up by either the Methodist church or fellow Wrightwoodians. They all shared their adventures, and best of all talked about how Wrightwood was known as the most welcoming town on the trail. We had such a good time that we will make this a tradition and offer up accommodations from now on. I would recommend to others to do the same, it is really quite rewarding just a lot of fun. Oh and post script, all of the hikers shopped in town for food, gear and in some cases a hotel. Not too bad.

[ChessT]

There is a book at the hardware store where you can list yourself and hikers will call you, whether you offer accomodations or just rides up and down from the trailheads...

(The hikers really like it if you have laundry and internet access..)

While walking the PCT above town I passed about 25 very enthusiastic hikers who shared some of their stories with me. I came upon 2 hikers at Guffy camp, one suffering from infected blisters. My wife and I always talked about offering hikers a safe place to stay so I made the offer. They gratefully accepted and just to be brief I will say what a great experience it was. At the Yoddeler we met with at least 20 of their fellow hikers who were all put up by either the Methodist church or fellow Wrightwoodians. They all shared their adventures, and best of all talked about how Wrightwood was known as the most welcoming town on the trail. We had such a good time that we will make this a tradition and offer up accommodations from now on. I would recommend to others to do the same, it is really quite rewarding just a lot of fun. Oh and post script, all of the hikers shopped in town for food, gear and in some cases a hotel. Not too bad.

[3PinkRoses]

We are about to host 3 PTH in a few days. They def want showers and is the Yoddler a good place to take them for a drink? I don't usually go there, but how fun to share stories with other hikers! Will they drop down in/from Acorn Trail? this is new to me, thus how will I know when, where to pick them up?

[Kevin Quinn]

For me, my experience began at the Guffy camp and although I advised the hikers to drop down acorn for a quick trip to town, they decided, rightly so to walk out to hwy 2. There is no cell phone reception up there so I fortunately timed it right to meet them there.
I have to tell you since my last post, what a great time I had. At the Yoddeler, we enjoyed great pizza and met about 30 additional hikers that the folks I was putting up knew. The Methodist camp at the top of Elm accommodates everyone and a local put on a party for those that would attend, that really made them feel like not leaving.
As for my experience they enjoyed the simple things, laundry, news, good meals and just the joy of hanging in Wrightwood.
I have been so impressed with all the hikers I have met that I was able to rearrange my work schedule to bring the many I have come to know to the base of Mt Baden Powell on Friday, complete with weather reports, trail info and interesting stuff to check out upon the way.
So as a guy late to the party, I have to say I regret waiting so long. We will add our name to the list at Mt Hardware  and look forward to those who choose the trail.

[ForestGal]

Yesterday my friend and I were driving back from Vincent Gap, where we had walked past the gate for a few miles and back down.  Shortly past Inspiration Point, we saw a PCT hiker looking for a ride into town.  Normally we would never pick up strangers, but being hikers ourselves, we both trust the PCT hikers.  We picked him up, he said he was hungry and wanted to eat, then look for a motel room.  He actually said that he didn't suppose there was a Mexican restaurant in town, and we corrected him and dropped him off at Mexico Lindo!  He said this was his 2nd time doing the PCT, he did it in 2008.

During the brief time we spent with this young man, it makes me want to get my house in order to accept those hikers next year.  This isn't the first time I've picked them up for a ride into town.  I'm sure it would be a fascinating experience to host some of these people.

[snwbnny]

We've been hosting hikers for 4 years now. The first year we just picked up anyone we saw. The next year we added our name to the list. The list has gotten smaller since then I noticed though. We love hosting hikers! I've spent many hours driving them to the trail, down to REI, to the airport, even up or down the trail for sections. We let them take over our basement where our kids' room is and just have our kids sleep in our room those nights. So the hikers have access to 3 beds, lots of floor space, shower, laundry, and internet. We let them use the car for in town stuff and usually feed them. We love meeting people from all different places and walks of life. It's so much fun and we've never felt uncomfortable or like there is a safety issue at all. And although we get many warnings from family and friends who don't hike or live here and just don't understand, we'll continue helping PCT hikers for as long as we can.

I say all this to encourage anyone who's ever considered it, to go add your name to the list! Or offer a ride next time you see a stinky hiker at the post office! They really do appreciate it.

[CNMmom]

We have had the same experience for several years...my kids now LOVE hikers. We have made great friends and follow them all the way through the trail via their blogs and journal posts. I also have had people who think I am crazy for having strangers in my house, but I have to remind them that 100 years ago this was a very common occurrence in this country. Hospitality and welcoming a stranger into your hearth is truly supposed to be the American way. PCT season is one of our families favorite times of the year.

[Kevin Quinn]

[snwbnny]

Did the guy doing the documentary leave yet? I was supposed to call him back and completely forgot! Oooops.

[CNMmom]

Me too, but I didn't see him in town. I didn't get to call back today, It is such a busy weekend