All 50 permits per day for hikers starting at Campo were snatched up as soon as they became available, so, we should see another bumper crop of hikers this year.

The permit calendar tells the story.

I have selected the theme “2020 Vision” as the theme for this new year. The sign welcoming hikers to my oasis has been updated

and the prompt on the hiker register has changed

In explaining the new theme (and the prompt) to hikers, I added a bit of instruction in the first post in the register.

It reads: “An explanation of the prompt ‘Why are you doing this?’

Each year I create a unique theme for my hiker oasis. In 2020 the theme revolves around the idea of perfect vision. While ‘2020 vision’ usually refers to the visual acuity of eyes, I am more interested in the idea of perfect inner vision … the ability to ‘see’ inside your self and understand your own values and motives. So, the question I am asking hikers to respond to is: ‘Why are you doing this?’ I realize that, for many of you, the reason(s) you decided to thru hike the PCT are very private ones — not something you would normally share with strangers by writing it in a quasi-public document. If that describes you, feel free to give your ‘public’ reason or simply leave your response unsigned.

I hope your journey gives you everything you want it to give.

‘Trail Angel’ Mary”

Effective immediately (Dec 20, 2019), overnight camping is no longer allowed at Warner Springs Resource Center. Here is the official word: “Things may change come March but right now the only thing hikers can no longer do here is camp. The gates are open and unlocked 6 am to 10 pm weekdays and all hours on weekends. Good water is flowing and we still have supplies, re-charging, wifi, bucket showers and are open Tues, 9 to noon and Wed – Saturday 9 am to 2 pm.”

The snow we received on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday caused some damage in the PCT in the vicinity. I did a short recon north of my place to Table Mountain Truck Trail. In most cases, the damage was Redshank branches breaking off and covering the trail. In other cases, the weight of the snow caused whole, mature redshanks to become uprooted and fall over the trail. I did a bit of work to clear the trail enough to continue our recon ride. Below is a before and after.

I will need to schedule several days to clear the 12 miles of PCT I steward.

We received six inches of snow along the PCT in Anza (as of Friday at 8am) and snow continues to fall. Hopefully, all sobo thru hikers in the vicinity are hunkered down in a safe, warm place.