PCT to Tram from Falls Creek Rd

[birgezici]

Hello Hikers,

Couple friends and I are planning to hike Tram from PCT off of Falls Creek Rd. If the weather permits, we are planning to hike on Sat, Nov 21 12:01 and have some questions... Thanks for your inputs!!

1. Someone is going to drop off at the trails head, are they any driving restriction from HWY-111 to PCT trail head?
2. Are there any water resources on these trails?
3. If you recently hike around these trails, and if you have any information, trails condition, GPX/KMZ file, could you please share them?

Google maps shows that it is 27.4 miles, we are hopping to cross the trails around "Black Mnt Truck Tail" and that may gain us couple miles here and there...
We are planning to do this in one day, and start around midnight or earlier so we can catch the last tram card . If you are interested to join us, ping me...

Here's some screenshots from Google Map:

[jfr]

You can get the latest PCT gpx files from halfmile's site: http://www.pctmap.net/
You want Section B
Printable maps: http://www.pctmap.net/pctdownloads/ca_section_b_map.zip
GPS Track: http://www.pctmap.net/pctdownloads/CA_Sec_B_tracks.gpx
GPS Waypoints: http://www.pctmap.net/pctdownloads/CA_S ... points.gpx
Those tracks and waypoints contain ALL the trails you'll need. And then some.

To the best of my knowledge, there is NO water on the way up to Black Mountain Road. And getting water up there may be difficult. You might want to drop off a cache of water for yourself up there. I've driven Black Mountain Road in a passenger car, but you have to drive slowly and carefully on the rough spots. This means that it will take about an hour to drive UP the eight mile dirt road out of Idyllwild, plus the time it takes to get back down as well as driving to and from Idyllwild on 243. But you weren't planning to sleep, were you?

There should be water at Bed Springs on the Deer Springs Trail on your way up to the peak, so you'll be OK if you can make it that far.

Sounds like a great hike. I hope you're in shape! That's a seriously long day.

[guest]

Hi Birgezici,

This is a great hike requiring lots of climbing, as you know.
When you come to the Snow Creek Village signs, (end of the main rd. from Hwy 111), begin hiking by making the immediate left onto Falls Creek Rd, (being respectful of the residence of course). You'll come to a little intersection, (look for a cool post with a bunch of signs on it at the last cabin on your right. Veer to the left, then through the DWA gate, which is perfectly legal, as the whole paved rd. , (up to the PCT) is on forest / blm land.
As the rd, gets close to the edge of the mt. on your right, look for a large boulder with PCT on it. This is where you'll need to turn right onto the actual dirt trail.
There's a dwa camera there, (on public land, which the forest somehow allows), so be aware.
There's a water fountain there, (good mt. water, so drink up), then begin you long, steady, (possibly windy), dry climb.
The 1st several miles are in very good shape, some over-growth after that I've heard.

Have a great hike.

ss

[smiles]

Hello Bergezici,

I had the pleasure of completing this long day hike with a buddy on November 15th last year. I received great info from board member halhiker. He has a great write up on it here: http://hikeeveryday.blogspot.com/2009/11/mount-san-jacinto-from-snow-creek-via.html?m=0

I also shot about a 20 minute video of our hike using a GoPro that I had just purchased. Of course it was my very first use of the camera (mounted on my head) and I ended up shooting at a lower angle than desired -- but it still gets the message across. If you have the time, here is the youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbwRlQ_jYW8

Good luck!

[birgezici]

You can get the latest PCT gpx files from halfmile's site: http://www.pctmap.net/
!
<<Snip>>
!
Sounds like a great hike. I hope you're in shape! That's a seriously long day.

!
Thank you JRF!!
I bookmarked the site, it has a lot of information.
I didn't know you can drive up that far out. I need to explore the area sometimes, might be a good day out with my little ones

We're planning to hike C2C on Sat, Nov 14, maybe we can cache couple water bottles around the summit.

Cheers,
-birgezici

[birgezici]

Hi Birgezici,
!
<<Snip>>

Have a great hike.

ss

Thank you SS!!
Really appreciated for the detailed driving instructions and other information.

I am planning to drive down there sometimes next weekend to scope out the area

Cheers,
-birgezici

[birgezici]

Hello Bergezici,

!
<<Snip>>
!

Good luck!

Thanks Steve!!
The link and video are great and have some question regards to your vid.
6:30 > super duper pill, was it a salt supplement or ?
10:03 > do you remember how long did it take you to hike there?
11:55 > Was the sign for PCT?

What time did you guys start to hike?
You've reached the summit in 13 hrs 30 min, your pace is around 2.2 Mph, great pace!!
Do you remember your pace to picnic table (Fuller Ridge?) and what is the distance?

Cheers,
-birgezici

[halhiker]

Starting at midnight seems unnecessary. Because of the gradient of the trail you can make pretty good time. I don't see the point of hiking almost 6 hours in the dark if you don't need to.

http://hikeeveryday.blogspot.com/2009/1 ... a.html?m=1

[smiles]

Hello Bergezici,

!
<<Snip>>
!

Good luck!

Thanks Steve!!
The link and video are great and have some question regards to your vid.
6:30 > super duper pill, was it a salt supplement or ?
10:03 > do you remember how long did it take you to hike there?
11:55 > Was the sign for PCT?

What time did you guys start to hike?
You've reached the summit in 13 hrs 30 min, your pace is around 2.2 Mph, great pace!!
Do you remember your pace to picnic table (Fuller Ridge?) and what is the distance?

Cheers,
-birgezici

The pills I mentioned are "Hammer Nutrition" brand "Endurolytes Extreme". They are ultra electrolyte replenishment pills, and taken 1 or 2 per hour (depending on how warm it is) during extreme workouts like this. I have not suffered any cramping since trying these out last year after reading about them from other hikers write-ups.

The point on the video at 10:03 is where you level off from the desert slope and enter the green pine forest for the first time at elevation 6,400 feet. You also run up alongside the Black Mountain Truck Trail for the first time here. I am sorry, I do not recall my exact time to that point, but I know I arrived at the Fuller Ridge campground (picnic table) further up at lunchtime.

And yes, the sign at 11:55 was a PCT trail marker.

[birgezici]

Starting at midnight seems unnecessary. Because of the gradient of the trail you can make pretty good time. I don't see the point of hiking almost 6 hours in the dark if you don't need to.

http://hikeeveryday.blogspot.com/2009/1 ... a.html?m=1

Thanks Hal and it was great pace!!


Cheers,
-birgezici