- Our intention is for a maximum of 12 "angels" to arrive at Vidette Meadow in time to provide dinner to hikers on Friday 6/21 - and continue providing magic to hikers until after breakfast on Sunday 6/23. Angels are likely to take different times to get up and down the hill based on temperament and athletic ability. This hike is by invitation only, you need to be invited by someone that has been on the trip before and be approved by either Ken or Seamus. We limit the number of Trail Angels that can attend, the first 12 to commit hard cash are in (within the "Gender balance" rules below)
- Heads up: Friday 6/21 at 8:54 am is the summer solstice this year. The summer solstice is the traditional "Hike Naked" day and many of the thru hikers will dress accordingly
- Message from Ken: According to a 2017 Hiker Survey, 42% of thru hikers are women. I believe our little group of Angels should have a similar makeup.
- The basic path starts at Roads End Ranger Station (in Sequoia Kings Canyon Natl park) and follows Bubbs Creek up the hill to Upper Vidette Meadow. See Map (below). Sub-groups would converge on Vidette Meadows on Friday afternoon. We stay at Vidette till late Sunday morning (Serving Hikers the whole time) when we would hike back down the way we came and drive home.
- Last year we hired mules to carry the bulk of the supplies - whether we are able to do so this year will depend on the amount of money contributed (and the amount of snow still on the ground when we leave). Whether we use mules or not, all hikers are responsible for getting 10 lbs of extra gear "up the hill" (or more if they have the ability and inclination). If we are able to afford mules, part of your contribution will be use to "Pay" for a mule to carry this weight up the hill.
- There are two groups going up the hill this year. There is a "One day group" that goes up in a single day. There will also be a "Two day group" that takes two days to make the trip up the hill. It is also possible that subgroups may form to "extend" this hike so that they can see more of the area - tell Ken if you are interested.
- Warning (as of 4/7): 2019 is shaping up to be a massive snow year. This will throw considerable uncertainty into our planning. Angels participating in this hike should expect for plans to change (perhaps dramatically) as we get closer to our date because of the snow. Cedar Grove pack station has already warned me that "in their experience" it is unlikely that the trail to Vidette will be open to pack animals (so mules are unlikely - but still possible). If the snow melts all at once, rivers may be dangerous or impassible, causing the park to selectively revoke trail permits (as they did in 2017), which would cause us to "Move the Hike" at the last minute to some other PCT Access point. If the snow melts too slowly, then we are likely to have to hike in snow, and perhaps even camp in snow. If there is a lot of snow still in the passes, then there will be significantly fewer hikers to serve (so our mix of what we bring could change). No matter what happens, though, we will find some way, some where, where we can serve PCT hikers - So Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride!
Click Here for a scanned map of the basic trail magic route (zoom in to see contour lines).
Click Here to access the online National Park Service maps of the area (allows you to scroll around the whole park)
Click Here for a google map to Roads End Permit Station (the trail head), so you can plan your drive to the trailhead
Note about Google Maps: It is winter in the Sierra now (when this is being typed) - Lots of roads are closed - If you ask for driving directions, make sure that you also specify "Depart in June" (otherwise it will not be able to find a route)
Click Here (NEW!) for a scanned map of the alternate path to Vidette we are considering.
Here is my listing of those who have committed to doing this hike - only 12 hikers will be allowed to join:
- Ken K: 2-day group. 8th trip. Connected through Seamus S (Soccer coaches together) -- Note: Ken has a family challenge this year that may prevent him from actually attending this hike - He is still committed financially and for trip planning.
- Seamus S: 1-day group. 8th trip. Started this tradition when his Son hiked the PCT in 2011
- Deniz "Dino" C, 1-day group, 3rd trip, Connected through Andrew G
- David W: 2-day Group. 2nd trip. Connected through Seamus S
- Lee O: 2-day group. 1st trip. 2018 Thu hiker served last year. Woman in red wind breaker over a green puffy in 2018 Video.
- Cody A: 1-day group. 1st trip. Connected through Seamus S. Thru Hiker in 2016
- Tom D: 2-day group. 1st trip. Connect through David W
- Jack B: 1-day group. 1st trip. Connected through Seamus S
There are likely to be Three groups going up the hill this year that will meet at Vidette and perform trail magic on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. At this point, no side trips are planned, so on Sunday after breakfast service, all groups will head back down the hill
- One day up the hill: start hiking 7am Friday morning from Road's end Ranger Station, arrive Vidette Friday evening (14 miles out and 5000 ft up, with a pack!). Only for those in shape for a very strenuous hike. Not recommended for "First-timers".
- Hikers:
- Seamus S - Permit Holder (6 slots maximum)
- Full List (4 hikers): Seamus S, Deniz C, Cody A, Jack B
- Itinerary:
- Fri 6/21: Converge at Roads End Ranger Station by 6:30am to pick up parking permits, check in, and load up packs. Estimated time to start hiking 7:30 am. Destination: Upper Vidette Meadows (15 miles, up 5000 feet)
- Sun 6/23: (after serving breakfast) - start back down the hill (see "Return" below)
- Two days up the hill: Start hiking 7am Thursday morning from Road's end Ranger Station, arrive Vidette Friday evening (15 miles out and 5000 ft elevation change split over two days). This is a moderate hike and participants need to be in good shape for this. Do not underestimate the impact of starting this hike at an altitude of 5000 ft (and going up from there)
- Hikers:
- David W - Permit Holder (10 slots maximum)
- Full List (4 hikers): David W, Ken K, Lee O, Tom D
- Itinerary:
- Thu 6/20: Converge at Roads End Ranger Station by 6:30am to pick up parking permits, check in, and load up packs. Estimated time to start hiking 7:30 am. Initial Destination: Charlottes creek camp (7.5 miles, up 2500 feet)
- Fri 6/21: Hike to Vidette (7 miles, up 2500 feet)
- Sun 6/23: (after serving breakfast) - start back down the hill (see "Return" below)
- Three days up the hill: This group is tentatively cancelled. The permit holder (George) has indicated he is not likely to attend
- Return to Roads End: Start hiking on Sunday morning back down the hill the way we came (14 miles, all down hill). This is a very doable one-day descent for those that are in a hurry to get back (if you want to get home Sunday night). Ken will dawdle a bit and take two days to get down the hill so that he can hang out in Vidette a little longer and drive home during the day on Monday (rather than late on Sunday).