Sacramento Area March 8

“PepperDog has not responded yet. She must be out this weekend socializing. The NERVE!

:)”

“She better answer! We need more gals on this trip :)”

“Yikes will I need to get some gaitors? I just thought about that since it might be muddy.”

“I only use them when I'm in the weeds and sticks, so I don't get stickers and stuff in my socks. I doubt you'll need em.”

“You may want to consider a back up...they are calling for rain, then showers on Sunday and Monday, snow level down to 3000'/3500'...

That could change of course and probably will.”

“I am working on bringing a couple friends along, both women...one is single.....I'll know more in a couple days.”

“Just looked through one of my trail books, a lot of "10" hikes to pick from (their rating for scenic beauty!)!! Phaedrus, any idea where we're going Saturday? I plan on hiking back out on Sunday, have to be back at work on Sunday :(”

“I need to be back at work Monday, not Sunday, can hike out Sunday.

My well-known air-headedness is in full glory today...”

“I'll be leaving with ya.....Carloyn and I need to be back early as well.

I'm 90% sure were going to make it.
Know for sure by Monday”

“You pick the trailhead, wanderer. I already did the hard work of picking the area :)

Besides, you're the man with the rating book!”

“I have work too on Monday so that works out for me :)

I have never seen snow fall, I think it would be awesome to see some- The weather doesnt scare me :)”

“[bump]

Pepperdooooog! You out there?”

“yeah, yeah - here I am. I spent the weekend soaking up the sun and didn't get on the computer much.

Speaking of sun, I am thinking I might not want to be as cold as this sounds like it might be for an overnighter. I still might think of dayhiking with y'all but it seems like a bit of a schlep for a day hike. How far are you thinking of hiking? Does anyone else want to go up from the Sacto area for just the day so I don't have to drive alone?”

“looks like I will be going Saturday afterall- Funeral is friday so I can make it.

After this terrible week it will do me good to get out.”

“Good deal, ya'll! I'm glad you'll be able to make it, free. I'm glad you're going to pull this one off, too pepper!

I just bought my wife a new laptop and set up our wireless network, so I'm typing to you from... THE KITCHEN!

Life is so cool.

So which trailhead did you guys want to pick up? Dog trail? south Soapstone?

If we go from the south soapstone we might be able to hit echo lake on the first day to camp.

Still waiting for wanderer to hive us his opinions...”

“I haven't been able to seriously hit the maps yet, have NO ideas at all!.

Phae, if you know the area, GO FOR IT & pick something, we won't yell if we don't like your selection!”

“Phaedrus - is your screen really small so you can't really read what people write? Or are you just trying to "create the reality" of me going along?

Free23 - I hope that getting out of town will help you clear your head and think good thoughts about your brother.”

“Soooo, Pepper, you'll be going, then?

Okay, how bout we hit the south soapstone trail up to the PCT and off toward echo lake. Sound good to everyone? I haven't been up that dirt road before, so I can't vouch for conditions, but if it it bad, we can go back and hit the dog trail up to the PCT and try to get close enough to see scott lake, depending on how people move.”

“In good conditions you can drive real close to Echo Lake...I know the Crags rather well, but I am not familiar with the Soapstone trail head or the Dog trail...I am going to try and run up there in the next day or so and see what the road conditions are like to both locations... My partner seems to think there may be too much snow, but we can't tell till we try.

If we can drive close, it would offer a fast way in and the chance for those that may want to do a quick day hike or short overnighter a good time. We should be prepared for snow on Sunday and Monday....that could change road conditions rather quickly.

I uploaded a couple maps into my WebShots album for those that want to see the area....they should be the last two on the page. I included a screen shot of todays 10 day forecast for Mount Shasta.”

“I'm learning something every day...hit "view full size" to get a really good look at the maps.”

“I havn't done any real snow hiking before, this is going to be an interesting expirience!”

“Here's a link to a pdf that has a trail map. The trailheads are all marked with their respective names, so we can be sure we're talking apples to apples, you know.

Castle Crags PDF”

“Phaedrus that isn't working for me :S”

“NM It took a while to come up. :)”

“I have spent most of my time on the trail up to the Dome and Indian Springs for climbing, and some time around Castle lake..it will be neat to finally see some of the other places. It looks like I will get up there tomorrow to check it out...”

“Excellent, Thanks, Steve!”

“Hey free, did you get your bag and everything?”

“mtsteve Indian springs is so cool! I drank strait out of the springs there- no filter or anything :)”

“Oh yeah phae i got muh bag now :) Its so...fluffy! I am going to "practice" using it tonight in the backyard HEEHEEHEE.”

“(bump)

Hey you don't think I will need sunblock since its still cold do you?”

“I won't be using any.

How'd the "test run" go?”

“DAYYYYYYYMMMM. Wish I could go this weekend folks! Have a great time!”

“Thanks, Roseyman!

Pepperdog, you HAVE to go. Cold doesn't stop a backpacker, it makes her stronger!

Pepper, how will we get on without you?”

“Ya! We need more gals on the trip- We all know how nuts a bunch of guys can get....I don;t want to be the only sane one along ;P”

“I test run of my new gear went great! I slept out in my hammack in the yard under the stars :). Who needs a house when you have the stars for a roof?”

“I just got back from running up to the Crags to check out the trail heads and road conditions.....I found the turn off for South Soapstone (well signed and marked), made it almost 2 miles up (very narrow dirt road, steep drop off) and hit snow at around 4600/4700 feet.

I was looking for Dog Trail Head on the way up and never saw it...on the way back down I explored a few likely spots using the GPS, when I got home and plugged it into the puter I realized where the dammed trail head was....I actually stopped at it, but never saw any signs or markers, I don't know how I missed it.

To sum this up...the South Soapstone trail head is out, unless you want to hike through a lot of snow....the Dog trail head is open (that little blue dot where it hits the PCT is a Geocache ) and I know that spot is free of snow...but I don't know about further up the trail. I am trying to reach the Park and see if they have any reports on trail conditions.

I added a map from my GPS track download to show where I went.”

“Steve, thanks so much for scouting this for us!

I went up the dog trail to the PCT and then west the last time I was out there. We should be clear of snow for at least a good 5 miles from the dog trail and PCT crossing. After that, it won't be more than patchy snow, I'm thinking, for the next four miles at least, so those of you just doing an overnighter shouldn't have to sweat it.

What say we meet at the dog trail trailhead at 9:30am and go from there? The dog trail itself should be renamed the b!tch trail. It's really nothing but a steep pile of loose rocks, but the PCT is well-groomed.”

“I just talked to Carolyn and she is going to go....we were thinking about setting up a bivy somewhere on the flat part of the ridge above the spot where Dog hits the PCT (should have some good views), about a tad over a mile in...then we will day hike with ya, then go back to our bivy...then we will have to leave early in the morning for home.

There is still a chance that Kelli will come along, I should hear from her later today.”

“Sonds great! Can't wait to meet you all.”

“One thing about where you want to camp, though, is that there's not a source of water close by that I remember... We can certainly pick some up along the way, though.”

“Looking forward to meeting you folks as well....

Were not too worried about the water since it's a bivy, there is Popcorn Spring just up the trail and some water falls a little further up...we should be able to get plenty of water when we head back to our site.

Weather looks good for Sat...still calling for showers/snow sometime on Sunday, then clearing again.”

“I haven't had time to load my TOPO! for that area so don't have a map. Here's what I need:

1. Directions to the Dog Trailhead from I-5?

2. Suggested departure time from Sac to get there by 9:30?

3. Phae, I'm scheduled to pick up Free on the way, I will hit I-5 right at the junction of I-80. Wanna caravan up in case someone has car trouble or just meet at the trailhead?

4. Weather / temps. I'm trying to determine whether to bring my 20 deg bag or 0 deg bag; Bivy Sack or Tent? (I like the tent if it's going to rain / snow).

Since you guys know the area I'd appreciate your suggestions...

Mtn Steve, I also need to get back out on the trail Sun morning, so may want to set up a camp similar to your plan if that's OK with you!”

“Hey wanderer! I'll caravan with you, if you'd like. Email me,and we'll set up the meeting place. 6:00am is a good time to leave here, if we want to stop somewhere in Redding for gas and breakfast.

I'm taking a 20 degree bag, and I plan on going a lot higher up the hill after you guys leave. I think your 20 degree should be fine.

To get to the trailhead, you just take the castella exit, turn left, pass the ranger station/SP entrance and continue on to your next avaialble right (I think). It's about 2.5 miles or so from the ranger station. The trailhead is poorly marked, bu there's a borrow pit there, and a bunch of discarded asphalt.”

“Think I'll just do my bivy & 20 deg bag, that combo saves me a couple pounds!

A sampling of Wanderer's world-famous home-made beef jerky is awaiting you as a "thanks" for your info!”

“Well, hell! Do you need anything else!??
:)”

“Of course your welcome to bivy with us. We are going to be bringing bivy sacks and 20 deg bags too...I may bring the Kiva, just in case.

If we get to the trail-head first, I'll flag it with orange flagging..just look for the attractive brunet with the fat old man ;)”

“Thanks Steve, this is my first batch of the year so it'd not even bacteria-laden yet!”

“Got my new TOPO! software installed, now I'm trying to find the "Dog" trailhead. Anyone have coordinates or some other description of how I can find the trail?

Sorry for the continued requests. I do a lot of solo BP'ing, and the win/win deal I have with the better 1/2 is that I can go wherever/whenever I like as long as I give her the necessary info on where I'm headed & when I'm returning.

I usually print her a map, but in this case I can't find a starting point for the trailhead?”

“Sounds good to me :) I am bringing a tent...not brave enough to bivy it out if its cold untill I have test the warmth and comfert level of my new stuff first:) Wanderer I have a map from the castle crags park, it shows the trail we will start at, I will bring that if you'd like. When can I expect you at my house- 5:30?”

“I couldn't find a map at REI & I've been frustrated trying to find the right trail on TOPO!. I LOOOVE having a map, I really like knowing where I am...(Yes, I am Anal Retentive in some respects!)

If 5:30 is OK with you we're on. I sent you an e saying 5:45, let's make it 5:30 so we're on same page. You should also have my cell #, see ya' then!

BTW... let me know if you have any gear needs. I can throw anything in the car you might need.”