Well, we are approaching the time of year when our local section of the PCT becomes “the Street,” with 50 or more hikers a day passing by. The most recent calendar of PCT long-distance hiker permits starting at the Mexican border shows we have over 40 hikers per day starting at the Mexican border beginning today (March 23), with the max of 50 hikers per day starting March 27. A solid 50 hikers per day continues through May 24.

With the announcement that there will be no Kick Off event, typically held the last weekend in April, I am now able to schedule my fourth annual Celebrate Anza event at my property along the PCT. As of the date of this post, the 50-per-day limit of thru hiker/rider permits starting from Campo is maxed out from March 27-May 21. With snowmageddon in the Sierra this year, late starts seem prudent, but that leaves hikers and rider dealing with the late spring/early summer heat of the desert. In any event, there will be plenty of hikers through my place on May 6. … More info to follow.

It’s official (and as we suspected for a while now): Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off is no more. From the ADZPCTKO website:

They say all good things must come to an end, and so it is with Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kick Off.

 

A major storm system passing through SoCal this weekend caused the four-day work weekend to be shortened to two. Luckily, the gang had a chance to do some tread work near my place around PCT mile 147.5, to improve the trail for stock. And, most importantly, we didn’t have to skip dinner at my place on Friday evening.

I’m always looking to add something new to my “work” as a PCT Trail Angel. Since I have a passion for good cooking and an interest in honing my culinary skills in contexts outside the traditional kitchen, I thought I would try a series of meals at my property along the PCT during the northbound thru hiker season. Dubbed PCT Pop-Up Gourmet, the event will feature restaurant-like ambiance (to the extent I can create this in the “wilderness”) and gourmet food in the classical French tradition. The date for 2017 is Easter Sunday. I chose this date, both because this is a traditional date for a good meal, and because Paradise Valley Cafe, a popular restaurant for hikers seven miles further down the trail, closes at noon on Easter Sunday, so hikers won’t be able to eat there.

Any thru hiker who wanders by will be invited to partake at no charge. My friends are invited to attend with RSVP. While there is no charge for the meal, donations will be accepted from non-hiker guests to defray the costs of the ingredients. If there is any money left over, it will be donated to the PCTA.

Intrigued, but want more information? — Feel free to contact me. If you know for sure that you want to participate, please fill in the form below.