Sunday, July 18, 2010

Day 199: Checking On Belden (The PCT)

I talked the 22 year old female Progeny to spend a few hours on the Pacific Crest Trail up by Belden. The 27 mile drive to the trailhead is quite magnificent. The Feather River Canyon is deep, scenic with large granite domes and a beautiful 2 lane highway that was built in the 30's (back when we still had beauty involved in public projects).

The temperature was in the low 100's...

The trail is well maintained. Well marked. And, unfortunately, largely uphill.

J. at a bridge...



I didn't want to turn around. Friday we will continue on. Straight up the trail above. 46 more miles. I went through a liter of water in two hours (high temps!). Since there is a 23 1/2 mile section without water further on, well, this might be interesting...


4 comments:

lph said...

Allan,

This is the ugly part of the PCT eh? Looks plenty scenicl to me.

Carrying eight liters is probably doable? I would also start hydrating several days in advance. And then drink a liter for breakfast on the morning you hit the section.

Looks like fun!

Enjoy...

Larry

Allan Stellar said...

Hey Larry,

Good advice.

I was planning on carrying at least a gallon. And we will have to hit the trail early, as the temps have been in excess of 100F. even at higher elevations...

Cooler weather would help...

Thanks!

Zeal said...

Do you have a camel back? I think mine carries about 120 ounces(1.5 gallons I think?) very comfortably. Most newer packs have an insulated pocket for them too.

Allan Stellar said...

Hey Zeal,

Nope, no camelback. This trip will be done the old fashioned way: water bottles. I will probably tie on a one gallon jug to the outside of my backpack for the long, dry sections...

Hope you had fun in Vegas!

allan