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Cactus

Hiking the 700 Miles of PCT Desert

March 31, 2013 By Mac 3 Comments

For the first 700 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, northbound hikers have the Southern California desert to look forward to.

It is only fitting that the trail begins in the desert, as hikers will need to be getting acquainted with how sweaty and uncomfortable they are capable of becoming (better sooner than later). Also, better to get (what I expect to be) the least interesting part of the trail out of the way (because nobody wants to hike 2,600 miles knowing that they have a 700 mile stretch of desert at the end of it all).

DESERT EXPECTATIONS

Through countless hours of research, field testing, and survivor interviews I have devised a practical solution the scorching desert sun problem – hike at night.

However, this is only a preliminary plan. The possibilities of missing out on some awesome scenery, losing the trail in the dark, and not being able to sleep in the heat of the day present arguments against said solution. I suppose the compromise is to wake up early, break midday, and hike into the early evening. Looks like I will have to explore all these strategies.

Some people on the PCT-L have expressed concerns over encountering illegal immigrants in the Southern California desert, but these people are silly. First of all, I would love to encounter someone who had just crossed over the border and hear their story and their plans. Second of all, why would someone attempting to evade authority figures do anything to draw the attention of said figures to their presence? Clearly these worriers have not thought this through.

Desert Brush

Not very lush scenery.

DESERT WEATHER

Desert temperatures can easily surpass 100° F (38° C) during the day, and then drop off 50+° F (10+° C) come nightfall.

Many hikers bring umbrellas rigged to their packs to protect them from sun in the long desert stretches, but I don't really feel that lugging along something as bulky as an umbrella would be worth the extra weight (although a few weeks in, I may be regretting this decision).

Apparently summer thunderstorms account for approximately one-third of all the desert's rainfall in a given year (but one-third of ten inches isn't too impressive). If I am lucky, perhaps I will happen upon some awesome dust devils (or maybe the devil).

Lizard Rock

Behold! Possible shade!

DESERT CHALLENGES

Staying hydrated poses a serious problem along the southern portion of the trail (as it does for the trail's entirety), and hikers can go as far as 25 miles without encountering a water source. In order to avoid dying from dehydration or heat stroke, I plan on carrying a lot of water (like 8-10 liters). This may turn out to be completely impractical, but sitting here in the comfort of my room, it sounds like an alright plan.

Mosquitos aren't as feared in the desert as they are further north on the trail, but what I do have to look forward to are scorpions, black widows, and at least three varieties of venomous snakes. Apparently some larger mammals (fox, bobcats, and coyotes) are wandering around as well, but compared to the eventual threat of bears, these guys seem rather trivial.

Also, nobody likes to be hot and sweaty while taking a deuce (I don't even like being in a public restroom), but the desert will undoubtedly set the stage for countless of the sweatiest, most uncomfortable goings to the bathroom of my life.

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Filed Under: Pacific Crest Trail Tagged With: PCT Desert, PCT Planning, Pre-PCT

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Yari-SelfI’m Mac. I go places, eat food, do things, take pictures, and write words. If I have my way, then this journey is far from over; if I don’t, then it’s been fun. Find out more here!
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QUICK PCT FACTS

Location: California / Oregon / Washington, USA / British Columbia, Canada
Length: 2,663 mi (4,286 km)
Time Zone: PST (UTC-8)
Southern Terminus: Campo, California
Northern Terminus: Manning Park, British Columbia
Highest Point: Forester Pass, 13,153 ft (4,009 m)
Lowest Point: Cascade Locks, 140 ft (43 m)
Elevation Change: 420,880 ft (128,284 m)
Use: Pedestrian & Equestrian
Drinking Age: 21 (unenforced)
Drinking In Public: Go for it!
Drinking Tap Water: At your own discretion
Flushing Toilet Paper: Bury it! (or pack it out)
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Halfway Anywhere started out in 2011 as a way for me to share my travels with friends and family. Since then it has grown tremendously into a not only a collection of my own stories and travels but as a resource for anyone looking to step into the world of adventure.

I try to share information from firsthand experience to make travel more accessible to everyone looking to escape those prohibitive zones of comfort. Find out more about the site here
 

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