The Section Chief for this portion of the PCT posted an alert about snow conditions and highway closures on the trail north of my place, so I updated my sign to match the wording in the post.

With Mt. San Jacinto’s upper north face (especially Fuller Ridge) still with heavy snow cover and Highway 243 closed north of Idyllwild, I opted to warn the increasing number of thru hikers passing by my place about the dangers and options.

2019 looks to be another record-setting year for number of northbound PCT thru hikers. Here are the number of daily permits for the Southern Terminus issued, as of 3pm PT on March 1.

I had an opportunity to chat with the first person so far in 2019 who started at the Southern Terminus and identified himself as a PCT thru hiker. With lots of snow ahead on the trail in the SoCal portion of the PCT, this will be a tough year for anyone trying to get through to the Mojave this early.

Good luck, Roundup!