PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) Trail Towns / Services

PCT TrailQuest Home Page
PCT Border To Border Hiking Page
Rainmaker's Home Page

This page will be used for reviews of trail towns and business establishments near the PCT that offer goods and services to hikers. It will also be used to announce new business openings, changes in ownership and business closings. To see the reviews, scroll down and then click on the town names. To see the announcements, click here.

Business establishments and towns should be rated according to the scale show below. Please provide specifics, and also include as much of the following as possible: Name of town and location of establishment, what services or goods are offered, quality of service, goods and prices and what you did or did not like about the place.

Please send your contributions (as well as updates and corrections) to me as e-mail at

rainmaker2@alltel.net .

If you plan to use the facilities in towns near the PCT, keep in mind that your conduct can and will have an impact on future hikers. For instance, we heard via the trail grapevine of an incident that occurred in Cascade Locks, OR during the 2001 hiking season. A hiker secured a motel room, and then allowed 8 - 10 other hikers to get showers in his room. Eventually, the police were called and the hiker was evicted. This motel (the one located near the center of town) will no longer rent rooms to PCT hikers. This is very bad public relations for the hiking community in general. Also, the facilities near the trail are few and far between as it is, we don't need incidents like this making it worse.

Ratings:

0 - Completely unacceptable; won't go back under any circumstances
1 - Barely acceptable; will go back, but only if necessary
2 - Acceptable; lived up to most expectations
3 - Good; lived up to all my expectations
4 - Very Good; exceeded my expectations
5 - Excellent in all areas; highly recommended

Stehekin

Crater Lake, OR

Information received from Michael Mihalik in April 2003: As a place to stay, this was a disappointment, and in fact I ended up not staying there. I ate at the cafeteria, and while the price wasn't bad, the food was mediocre. The convenience store down at Matanza didn't have much, but they did have a shower. The saving grace of Crater Lake, though, was that the people I dealt with were very friendly, from the ranger to the postmaster to the store personnel. Accomodations were prohibitively expensive.

Hyatt Lake Resort, OR

Information received from Michael Mihalik in April 2003: This isn't far from Ashland, so many hikers probably won't stop. The map in the trail guide is confusing, but you need to take Hyatt Prairie Road to get to the cabins. The Hyatt Resort Restaurant is closed, but there is another restaurant about a tenth of a mile past the cabins that served a good breakfast at a reasonable price. I didn't stay in the cabins because a trail angel named John put me up and fed me after he found me wandering around in the rain trying to find the place; but two friends who followed stayed in a cabin and said it was a good place to stay at a good rate.

Sisters, OR

Information received from Michael Mihalik in April 2003: This town is about ten miles east of MacKenzie Pass. I got in late and all the motels were full, but the priest at the Catholic Church let me camp overnight on the lawn. Didn't see much of Sisters, but they had a bar that served pizza, and the waitress there was a real angel.

Crescent Lake, OR

Received from Michael Mihalik in April 2003: This is a place about 8 or 10 miles east of Willamette Pass. There is a motel, post office, two convenience stores and a bar. Also a restaurant that serves a good breakfast and lunch. You can get a mediocre dinner in the bar, The motel cost $52, but includes a kitchenette and VCR/TV (no reception, but a fair-sized free tape library at the desk.) I thought the room was very nice, with heavy wood furniture. The motel also has a laundromat. Free rides to and from the Pass, but you need a cell phone to call for pickup from the pass. This is a very good alternative to Shelter Cove Resort for maildrop and resupply. I heard (strictly hearsay) that the folks at Shelter Cove weren't very hiker-friendly. The lady at the motel I stayed at was very friendly, and so were the other people I met in Crescent Lake.

Cascade Summit, OR

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4,2001

Rating: 2

There really is not much here for PCT hikers. I got the impression that the folks at the store really didn’t have much interest in hikers’ business

It might take some creativity and sacrifice, but in my opinion, long term resupply at this store is possible. Some of the prices were almost “normal” (for Oregon resort areas, anyway), but the Ramen was $1 per package. I could hardly believe it, and verified with the store owner that the price was correct. There was a hiker box, and we got a few items out of it.

Lodging was available, but it was way too pricey for hikers. I believe the rates were about $100 per night, maybe more.

There is a limited service post office here. You can pick up parcels, but there seemed to be some question about mailing things out. There is a public pay phone outside the store, along with some benches, tables and restrooms with toilets that actually flush. There was not an ATM or any laundry services when we were here. We had a pleasant time snacking, resupplying and finishing off a half gallon of reasonably priced vanilla ice cream ($3.50) before going back to the trail. We did a short term resupply, got just enough from the hiker box and store for the 3 day hike to Bend, OR, where we knew we were getting off the trail to visit a friend.

Elk Lake Resort, OR

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 2

The folks who run the store and cafe seem very hiker-friendly, but store is not even marginally adequate for resupply. However, the café appeared to serve sandwiches and burgers at more or less reasonable prices and there were some ice cream items available along with crackers, soft drinks and a few candy bars.

The owners have a satellite uplink cell phone, but there is no public phone. They let us make a local call to Bend and didn’t charge us anything, but I think the long distance rates were something like $5 per minute. There was no ATM, and there were no laundry services available. However, they did have a hiker box, and I think they will hold UPS packages for hikers. I’m not sure if this is a free service or not.

Olallie Resort, OR

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 3

The folks here are very hiker-friendly, there is a hiker box, and the small but well stocked store is marginally adequate for long term resupply. However, it will be a bit pricey. They will also hold boxes for hikers.

We pulled in here on a cold, rainy day and we really enjoyed standing around the hot wood stove drinking coffee and socializing with the staff, lodge guests and other hikers. There are public restrooms available, along with a $5 for 30 minutes pay shower (one person at a time, please).

The quaint cabins are available for about $65 per night. A cell phone is available for several dollars a minute. They also have a microwave and a small selection of deli items.

Government Camp, OR

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 4

This is a small resort town that caters mainly to teenage snowboarders. Therefore, the folks here are accustomed to seeing outdoor people, and hikers kind of blend in with the crowd.

There are several motels and restaurants. We stayed at the modestly priced Huckleberry Inn. It is a motel / restaurant combination. Our room, set up for 6 snowboarders and featuring bunk beds, cost us $84 total. It had a telephone and a TV with cable.

We had all our meals at the restaurant. The portions were generous, the quality was good, the prices were reasonable and the service was friendly. There is a post office in town, along with a laundromat.

There is also a small but well stocked grocery store and a gas station mini-mart. The grocery store is marginally adequate for long term resupply, and prices were the most reasonable we’d seen in a while. I think there is an ATM in town; perhaps at the mini-mart. This is a friendly little town, and we were treated well.

Cascade Locks, OR

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 4

This was the largest town we’d seen in a while, and it has more features than we were accustomed to. The city offers free camping on the south end of town at the Marine RV Park, which is on the Colombia River. The campground features a store which has some snacks, vending machines, restrooms and pay showers.

There were 3 motels operating when we were here, and we opted for the Econo Lodge not far from the RV Park. English is obviously the second language of the folks who run the motel, and we had problems communicating. We needed another wash cloth, and an ice bucket, and it turned into a major issue. I believe our very nice room cost about $50 total. We had a phone, TV with limited cable, microwave and a small frig.

There is also a Best Western near the Bridge Of The Gods, and another motel near the center of town. I believe the Best Western charges about $75 per night. We heard several hundred miles further north that the motel near the center of town (across from the Best Western) no longer will rent rooms to PCT hikers. A few weeks after we were there, a group of hikers was in town. One of them rented a room, and then let 8 – 10 other hikers come in and get showers. The police were eventually called, and the hiker was evicted. How we conduct ourselves in trail towns can have quite an impact on those who come after us.

There are several restaurants in town, we had our meals at the one closest to the Econo Inn, the one that shares a building with a bar. There is also a small ice cream place near the Marine RV park that serves pretty good soft ice cream cones for $1.

There is a small library at the town hall (or courthouse) south of the RV park that allows free Internet use. However, they have only one PC and there can be a long wait. There is also a very hiker-friendly post office near the center of town.

There is a medium (bordering on large) supermarket near the center of town; no problems making a long term resupply. There are also several ATM’s in town. All in all, one of the nicest town stops on the northern portion of the PCT.

Monroe, WA

Information received from Michael Mihalik in April 2003: This town is about 40 miles west of Stevens Pass. The only reason I went there is that I needed new hiking shoes, but I had no problem getting rides in or out. It has everything, including a Ron Meyer that has an extensive selection of hiking shoes. I stayed at the Fairgrounds Motel for $52, and it was your standard motel room. It was the most complete town I stayed at during my hike.

Stevenson, WA

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 3

Most likely you won’t use the facilities here unless you opt for the road walk on Wind River Rd. after you cross the Bridge Of The Gods and enter Washington. We didn’t stay here, but walked through on our way to Carson.

There is a large mini-mart, a large supermarket and an Econo Lodge. I believe the Econo Lodge rents rooms for about $60 per night. I didn’t see a laundromat, but I expect there is one around. There is an ATM at the mini-mart, and probably at other locations, too. There is also a post office.

If you are opting for the Wind River Road road walk, it is possible to leave Cascade Locks with NO food, snack to your heart’s content in Stevenson, and then resupply at the supermarket in Carson, a few miles to the north.

Carson, WA

Sumbitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 3

We spent the night here after leaving Cascade Locks. We opted for the road walk that took us through Stevenson and Carson before we rejoined the PCT near Panther Creek Campground.

There is a post office, a large supermarket and a couple of campgrounds. The RV campground across from the supermarket really was not accustomed to seeing PCT hikers, but they let us stay for $10. There is an ATM at the supermarket. The other campground is located a mile or so outside of town on a side road, and we didn’t see it. There are some woods alongside the road a couple of miles north of town where it appeared a stealth camp could be made

Hikers opting for the Wind River Road road walk can leave Cascade Locks with NO food, get snacks at the mini-mart in Stevenson and then resupply at the supermarket in Carson.

White Pass, WA

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 3

The main thing here for hikers is the store. However, the PCT Town Guide states that the ski lodge nearby will make overnight rentals of condos available to hikers. We hitched into Packwood for lodging, so I don't have any firsthand knowledge. There is also a campground less than a mile away.

The store has a small food section. It would be challenging making a long term resupply, but it might be possible. They have a microwave and a small deli section and I can vouch for the fact that the corn dogs are pretty good.

They will hold packages for hikers, and there are restrooms, a coin operated washer and dryer and a trail register.

Information received from Michael Mihalik in April 2003: Just wanted to add that I stayed at the condo for $52/night. The room I stayed in had three bunks and a separate bed, both stove and microwave, and TV/VCR (no reception; tapes $1 rental at desk) The manager had no problem with a couple additional hikers using the bunks, and he was very friendly. There is also a pool.

Packwood, WA

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 4

Packwood is a 15 mile hitch from White Pass, and it has most services that PCT hikers need. We stayed at the Hotel Packwood on the far side of town. We’d heard that rates were about $25 per night during the week, but we were there on a weekend, and had to pay $38 per night. The hotel is very nice, except the rooms are a bit small and the restrooms and showers are down the hall. However, each room features a TV with cable. There is also a TV / VCR in the lobby and free movie videos are available. There are a couple of other motels in town, but they are pricey.

There are several restaurants in town; none of them very good. There is also a post office, ATM’s, a large supermarket, a mini-mart and a small outfitter store that caters to snowboarders.

Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 4

The facilities here are limited and a bit pricey, but adequate. There are basically two places to stay; the Best Western Motel (in town) and a B & B a few miles out of town. About a half dozen hikers tried to call the person who runs the B & B to pick them up, but there was never an answer, and no one went there.

The Best Western is very nice and gives PCT hikers a special rate. Rooms that normally go for $90 per night are offered to hikers for about $65. There is also a pool and a hot tub at the motel, in addition to laundry facilities (coin operated washer and dryer). A nice but somewhat pricey restaurant is located adjacent to the motel.

There are two places to resupply; a large mini-mart and a small combination post office / deli / grocery store. Using both places, making a long term resupply is possible. In addition, we mailed a small food box ahead to Stehekin. There are ATM’s at both the grocery store and the mini-mart. There is a register and a hiker box at the grocery store.

Skykomish, WA

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 2

There is not much in this sad and dying little town for PCT hikers. There is a bar, a small combo deli / grocery store / liquor store, a restaurant that is not open a lot, a Chevron mini-mart, a pricey motel and a post office.

The only motel that was open when we were there is the one located along the river near the bridge. The rates were $73 per night, and the owner was adamant about not letting us use his washer and dryer (there is no laundromat in town), so we had to wash our clothes in the tub and dry them in the room. The room was small, but well equipped with coffee maker, telephone, small frig and a microwave.

It took some creativity and sacrifice, but we were able to resupply at the Chevron mini-mart.

There may be a couple of locals at the bar who will take an interest in your hike. We heard some “trail angel” stories, ranging from use of backyards for camping, use of washer and dryer and rides back to the trail.

We regretted not going to Leavenworth instead, which we heard was a full service town with more or less reasonable prices.

Stehekin, WA

Submitted By Rainmaker On Oct. 4, 2001

Rating: 3

Stehekin is a resort town, but offers a free campground (with free hot showers to match, believe it or not). There is a bakery a mile or so out of town that is legendary among PCT hikers. It is a good place to stock up on breads and sweets for the 89 mile hike to the Canadian border. There is also a post office and coin operated laundry facilities.

Most of the “town” is actually the Stehekin Lodge. We heard varying stories about how much the rooms cost per night; everything from $90 to $130, however, we stayed at the free campground. The lodge has a small souvenir shop with some hiker oriented food items. Between the store, the bakery and the tiny outfitter’s store past the lodge (which has a few food items), it is probably possible to make a marginal resupply, but we mailed a food box to ourselves from Snoqualmie Pass.

There is also a restaurant at the lodge. The dinners are pricey, but usually they offer a breakfast buffet for about $7 from about 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. For hungry PCT hikers, it is a special treat. The restaurant staff is accustomed to hikers sitting around, drinking coffee and juice and pigging out for two hours.

There was no ATM when we were here in Sept. 2001. If you need to leave the trail here, there is a ferry boat that goes to Chelan, where there is a town and connecting roads.

Onyx / Lake Isabella, CA

Rating: Onyx: 2 / Lake Isabella: 4

Submitted By Rainmaker On January 10, 2001

Desert temps of 105 degrees and lack of water got you down? Relief is just a hitchhike away. I didn't plan to get off the trail here, but there was no water at Walker Pass Campground, so I didn't have much choice. It was an easy hitch (and a long ride) to the KOA campground at Lake Isabella.

You will pass the store and post office in Onyx on your way to the KOA, but I wouldn't stop there unless you need the post office. If you do, it will mean another hitch to get to Lake Isabella. An hour after being hot, dirty and thirsty while standing beside the road with my thumb out, I was relaxing at the KOA swimming pool while feasting on ice cream and sipping a very large cold and icy drink; a PCT hiker's dream come true.

The folks who run the KOA are friendly, but not accustomed to seeing PCT hikers. In addition, their are some very colorful, retired, permanent residents of the KOA who will probably take an interest in your hike. For a few six packs of beer, you might be able to make a deal with one of them to take you back to Walker Pass. Tenting is available at the campground, and there's a laundromat.

The KOA also has a small grocery store (not good for long term resupply) and a bar, complete with juke box and pool table. There is also a public phone. About a mile down the road there is a very nice restaurant and a large grocery store. The store is good for long term resupply and prices are reasonable. There is an ATM at the grocery store.

The store at Onyx (which you will pass on your way back to Walker Pass) is large and good for long term resupply, and the post office is next door. Perhaps they were just busy, but I sensed some "hiker phobia" at the Onyx grocery store. Prices were a bit high, and I was glad that I had resupplied at the grocery store at Lake Isabella instead.

Lake Morena, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted By Rainmaker On January 10, 2001

I was pleasantly surprised by the facilities here. I didn't stay at the campground (instead I stayed awake a good part of night at Hauser Creek listening and watching as the Border Patrol and illegals played "tag" all night), however, the campground appeared to be very large and well maintained. There are showers and restrooms; I'm not sure about laundry facilities.

A store advertised as a malt shop is about 4/10 of a mile away (an easy walk on a paved road), however, it is actually a small grocery store / cafe combo. The prices are reasonable, the food is good and the portions are generous. Long term resupply is not an option at the grocery store, but you should be able to find enough food to get you to Mt. Laguna. I remember seeing a public phone, but I don't recall if it was at the campground or the store.

If I hike the PCT again, I will leave the border with just enough food to get here, then pick up what I need at the store for the hike to Mt. Laguna. The folks here are very friendly and go out of their way to accommodate hikers.

Ashland, OR

This is a review of city of Ashland & Callahan's Inn

Rating: Ashland: 3 / Callahan's: 4

Submitted By Rainmaker On Nov. 3, 2000

We stayed at Callahan's Inn near Interstate 5, and the folks there arranged round-trip transportation for us from Callahan's to Ashland (no charge). First, a few words about Callahan's. It is a very hiker-friendly place, and they really go out of their way to accommodate hikers. Though a tad pricey by hiker standards (our very nice room was $60), the next morning's breakfast is free, and hikers don't leave hungry. If you want, they will shuttle you back to the trail. Laundry service is available, and the first beer (for hikers) is free.

Ashland is a college town, and there also seem to be a lot of "old hippies" around. Basically, it seems a bit "yuppie", new-age and pricey. However, it has everything hikers need, even if it is spread out. There are two supermarkets near the center of town, and together they can be used for long-term resupply. There is also a post office and lots of restaurants and ice cream shops.

There are also motels and hotels around, but since we were staying at Callahan's, I don't know much about the prices. However, everything else was expensive, so I'm assuming that the motel prices were high, also. There is a 12 story hotel near the center of town that was being renovated in 2000. Perhaps it will be ready for occupancy in time for the 2001 hiking season.

Seiad Valley, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted By Rainmaker On Nov. 3, 2000

The "town" of Seiad Valley consists of a combination store / restaurant / post office and a campground. The campground has a laundromat, pay showers and rest rooms. It also has a small "bunkhouse" that sleeps two. The rates for the bunkhouse are very reasonable, I think it is $10 per person. In the bunkhouse, there is a VCR / TV combo (no TV reception, but get free videos from campground owner), a coffee maker, a small fridge / freezer, and a microwave. Basically, if you are lucky enough to get space in the bunkhouse, Seiad Valley can be a very pleasant resupply point. There's also another restaurant about a mile down the highway.

The store is fairly small, but it appears that the owners have made an effort to accommodate hikers. It is possible to use the store for long-term resupply, though it will probably involve some creativity. The restaurant (the one in the same building as the store and post office) has limited hours. I think they serve breakfast and lunch, and close at 2:00 p.m. However, the portions are generous, the food is good, and the prices are reasonable.

We had a very pleasant overnight stay here. The folks who operate the facilities really cater to hikers.

Etna, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted By Rainmaker On Nov. 3, 2000

Etna is a very nice town stop, and I expect more PCT hikers will be going there, once word gets around. There are basically two places to stay; a B & B owned and operated by a retired woman doctor, and the new Motel Etna. Because of its proximity to Mike's Ranch House Restaurant, we opted for the motel. We had a very nice room with air conditioning and TV (a rare combination in the rural sections of California) for about $40. The restaurant is a 5 minute walk from the motel, and it offers good food with generous portions at a reasonable price. There is a small bakery next door to the restaurant. I think there is a laundromat, however, the folks at the motel let us use their washer and dryer. There is a nice supermarket, several more restaurants, a post office and a hiker-friendly library (free PC use) near the center of town.

It can be a pain hitching into and out of Etna. Other than that, it is an excellent place to resupply.

Additional info received from Michael Mihalik in April 2003:

That was indeed a great little town. I stayed at the B&B, where they also have what amounts to a hiker hostel, bunkhouse style. The guys running it now are Mark and Dan, and they had a "hunter's special" where they charged me only $10/night, even though I was a hiker, not a hunter. This included a large breakfast. The guys were extremely helpful and friendly. It was late September, and I had the hostel all to myself.

Dunsmuir, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted By Rainmaker On Nov. 3, 2000

While we were trying to figure out how we were going to resupply at the small store at Castella, we lucked into a ride to Dunsmuir, which is about 8 miles from Castella.

Dunsmuir is one of the nicest hiker towns we have encountered. Its small, but it has just about everything hikers need. There is a nice grocery store and long-term resupply is possible (the store looked especially good after our experience in Burney Falls State Park) and a post office. There is also a nice pizza place with big screen TV, a hiker-friendly library with free PC use for hikers, The Burger Barn (owned and operated by a very hiker-friendly couple named Mike & Linda) and a kind of seedy but adequate hotel. I believe a room for 2 cost us about $32.

We had a very nice time in Dunsmuir, and its unfortunate that it is so difficult getting to it from the trail. We had no trouble getting a ride back to the trail the next day.

Burney Falls State Park, CA

Rating: 2

Submitted By Rainmaker On Nov. 3, 2000

There really isn't much here for PCT hikers. If you want to resupply here, I'd suggest going to the park, then hitching into the town of Burney, or else have a food box sent to the small post office at the state park.

The small store at the state park caters mainly to RV'ers, and I haven't seen such price gouging since Vermillion Valley Resort and Echo Lake. There are pay phones at the store. In addition to the store, there is a small grill, with prices to match the store. A hot dog, fries and drink will cost you about $10, I think. There's also a Hiker / Biker Campground (no shade, carry in water from the RV campground; $3 per night per person). At the nearby RV campground, there are pay showers.

I don't think many PCT hikers will want to spend a lot of time here. Its the kind of place where you want to get off the trail, take care of your business, and leave. We were able to resupply at the store, but only because we made sacrifices, got creative and practically emptied the hiker box (it was late season, and we were being urged to take everything we could use).

Old Station, CA

This is a review of: Community Of Old Station (Hat Creek Resort)

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Nov. 3, 2000

Old Station has a medium size grocery store, public phone, restaurant, nice motel, post office and a laundromat, all within a two minute walk of each other. All facilities are very hiker friendly, with the possible exception of the restaurant (Indian John's).

Doug at the store provides hikers with free coffee, a 10% discount on all purchases and a generous dose of hospitality. He mentioned that they hoped to have a PC installed for hiker use in time for the 2001 hiker season. The store caters mainly to area fishermen, but we were able to resupply there.

Our motel room was very nice; I'm not sure about the price, but I think it was about $55 (including tax) for Brawny and me.

This is a review of: Indian John's Restaurant (Hat Creek Resort)

Rating: 1

Submitted by Rainmaker on Nov. 3, 2000

This place is billed mainly as a pizza place. When I walked in at mid-morning and politely asked if they served breakfast, one of the owners (Carole) rolled her eyes in mock disdain and gave me a derisive answer. The look she gave me said it all; in her eyes, I was nothing but "hiker trash". Anyway, Brawny and I stashed our packs outside as requested and sat down at a table. After being ingored for 5 - 10 minutes, Carole (also the waitress) brought two empty coffee cups to us. She literally slammed them down on the table so hard that I thought they were going to break.

The food was alright, even though it was more than a bit pricey. However, we were treated rudely for no reason other than we are hikers.

Belden, CA

Rating: 3

Updated by Rainmaker on Oct 4, 2000

The trail goes right through Belden, so most PCT hikers stop there. There is a small store (not suitable for long-term resupply), a campground, some cabins ($55 and up, per night), a small laundromat, a nice restaurant, a bar and a post office. To get to the post office, cross the river, take a left on the highway and walk about 3/4 mile. It is on the right, in an old house.

The cabins are suitable for hikers, and the price is within reason, considering its rural California. Ours had a nice queen-size bed, a kitchenette and a table and chairs. The floor was far from level, but the cabin was comfortable enough. It also had a nice recliner, where I spent a good deal of my time. There were no TV's, phones or air-conditioning, though there is a public phone at the store.

We were going to try and resupply at the store, and nearly panicked when we saw that they didn't have even the basics. Luckily, they had several well stocked hiker boxes, and we were able to glean most of our needed food items from them.

In the past, this has been a good place to have a food package sent to the store via UPS, or to the post office via the postal service. However, while we were on the trail in the summer of 2001, we heard several horror stories concerning hikers who had sent food boxes via UPS to the store. The post office seems a better option, but it has limited operating hours. When we were there, it closed at 1:00 p.m. on a Friday, and didn't repopen until Monday morning.

Sierra City, CA

Rating: 2

Updated by Rainmaker on January 26, 2005

Sierra City is not a typical trail town. I mean, these are not the kind of folks who dial 911. There was a sign in the grocery store that said, "Shoplifters Will Be Beaten To Death". Perhaps they are only kidding. (However, the grocery store is now under new management, see below)

There is a hiker-friendly post office, a small grocery store, a couple of hotels that have seen better days, a few restaurants, a small laundromat, public telephones and an RV park that offers either free or low cost camping to PCT hikers.

This town is one of extremes. The folks who were friendly were very friendly. The folks who don't like hikers REALLY don't like hikers.

We stayed at the Sierra Buttes Hotel, which is directly across the street from the grocery store and post office. It has a colorful past, being built in the 1880's, and was once a brothel. It also has a bar, where a real old west shootout once occurred. The rooms are a bit small, but the hotel is adequate for hikers. I believe we paid $32 (including tax) for a room for two people. However, we heard (from a 2001 thru-hiker) that the hotel has since been sold and "remodeled" and that the rooms are now going for about $100 per night.

It takes a while to get the restaurant schedule figured out. There is a cafe that is open only for lunch and breakfast, then it closes. Several hours later, two more restaurants open that serve only dinner. Sierra City is a very old and small town, however, it has two fancy dinner restaurants, one on either end of town. The only alternative for supper is the made-while-you-wait deli sandwiches, chips and soda available at the grocery store (which closes about 6:00).

When we were there, the local emergency siren went off about 10:00 p.m., and it is loud enough to wake the dead. The second night we were there, a gunshot went off right outside our open (and screenless) hotel window. It seems that Sierra City boasts 5 roaming bears, and apparently, one of them had crossed the line somehow. He either got a lesson with a rubber bullet, or bought the ranch with a shotgun blast, depending on who we asked.

Concerning the cafe that serves breakfast and lunch, we heard several stories of hikers being asked to leave because of body odor, but we had no problems there.

This is a review of: Grocery Store In Sierra City

Updated by Rainmaker on Jan. 26, 2005

This store was adequate for a marginal resupply when I visited. In addition, they sold a great soft ice cream cone for $1, and I had several during our stay in Sierra City.

When I was here, the owner and staff really didn't want hikers around, and they provided service that was consistently rude. However, the store (thankfully) has been sold and the new owner (Larry Breed) welcomes hikers. He is also making an effort to have the items at his store that hikers want. There is also a small laundromat (however, they can't accommodate sleeping bags because the machines aren't large enough), and he has a liquor license.

Their phone number is 530-862-1560, and his email address is 409chevy@sbcglobal.net . He also mentioned that they now offer fresh double cheese burgers for the carnivores.

I received the following message from Larry on Jan. 26, 2005:

Hi my name is larry breed and i own the sierra country store in sierra city. I read your review of the store and the rude conduct is totally unacceptable. We welcome all who come to our store and you are welcome to hang on our front porch as long as you want (no matter how bad you smell) If you or any of your hikers have any suggestions on what you would like us to have in stock when you arrive in town we will do our best to stock it. We want to be hiker friendly so let us know what we can do. thanks larry and kathy breed

South Lake Tahoe, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted by Rainmaker on Nov. 3, 2000

South Lake Tahoe has just about everything hikers need. With bus service to the casinos and restaurant buffets just over the state line in Nevada, it may have TOO much to offer. It can be hard to leave this place.

There is a post office, several large supermarkets, a K-Mart, a laundromat, pizza place, ice cream parlor and several restaurants and motels. There is also a local cab company that will take hikers back to the trail at Echo Lake Resort for $15 (in July 2000). Brawny and I split the cost with another hiker, so it cost us only $5 apiece. The prices at the motels seem to about double on the week-ends. We paid $42 (total with tax) for an "okay" room, but I heard from several hikers that the price went up to $80 on Friday and Saturday nights. You may hear that there is a motel owner who will provide free shuttle service back to the PCT. This service had been discontinued in 2000 when I was there.

Echo Lake, CA

Rating: 1

Updated by Rainmaker on Oct. 4, 2001

I was very disappointed in this place. It seems that the resort has no interest in hiker business. Its too bad, because it is right on the trail, and has a lot of potential. Anyway, there is a small store; the selection is not real good and the prices are very high. There is a public phone and a small post office. When we were there, they got our mail and packages for us, even though it was closed at the time (same folks who run the store run the P.O.). There is also a small cafe, but prices are outlandish ($1.40 for a small cup of coffee; no refills) and it seems not to be open a lot. When Brawny was there in July 2001, they were actually charging hikers for water, even though there is a rather large lake just outside the front door.

If you want to go to South Lake Tahoe, you can "work" the parking lot for a ride. One hiker told me if you just hang around the parking lot long enough, someone will offer you a ride.

Berkley Camp is about a half mile from the store. Brawny stayed there and she states that they have tent cabins, meals, pool, hot tub, restrooms, coin operated washer and dryer, pool table and books to read. They are primarily a youth camp, but they will take in hikers if they have room. For $10, Brawny received space in a tent cabin and access to all facilities. Meal service was available for $6, $7 and $8 each for breakfast, lunch and supper.

Bridgeport, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Nov. 2, 2000

Bridgeport has just about everything hikers need, however, probably not too many hikers visit because of its distance from the trail. Most likely, you won't come here unless you are getting off the trail, need a rest badly, or are injured.

There is a large supermarket on the north side of town on the east side of Hwy. 395. It is good for long-term supply. There is also a moderately priced, turn-of-the-century, "quaint" hotel available. I forget the name of it, but it is directly across the street from the large courthouse in the middle of town. When I was there in July 1999, the rooms were going for $38 per night (single). There is a library behind the courthouse, and it has PC's. Hikers can use them for a moderate fee. There is a laundromat near the hotel. There is a moderately priced hiker-friendly restaurant on the south side of town (on the west side of Hwy. 395). The food is good, and portions are generous. There is also a post office.

If you need to get off the trail here, the Greyhound bus (northbound to Reno) will stop if you flag it down. I believe it comes by nightly, about 2:30 a.m.

Campo, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

The store at Campo is fairly large, considering the remoteness of the place, and a public pay phone is available. Think of it as a large combination liquor store and convenience store and you'll get the picture. I began my hike at the Mexican border in 1999, and when I got off the rural bus, I spent a few minutes on the porch looking around and trying to get a feel for the area before heading down to the border.

The people who run the place were very friendly and helpful, though like most business establishments, they got friendlier after they saw that I was going to make some purchases. However, they declined to let me camp behind the store and instead directed me to the top of a small knoll across Hwy. 94, and slightly west of the store (a two minute walk). It's a nice place to camp; a nice private campsite, but close to the store for water and snacks.

The Border Patrol paid me a "friendly" visit in camp (six armed officers) just before dark, making sure that there were no "illegals" around. Other than that, it was a quiet night. The next morning, I went back to the store for snacks and sodas before heading out into the desert. Prices are reasonable (considering its rural CA), and the store is good for long-term resupply.

Mt. Laguna, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

The people who run this place are very hiker-friendly. The selection in the store is good, and it can be used for long term resupply. Considering its location, prices are not unreasonable. They have a microwave oven, and a variety of sandwiches and microwavable stuff is available. There are also public phones and a P.O.

The motel is "quaint" but comfortable, and the owners really give PCT hikers a break on room rates. When I was there in April 1999 my hiking partner and I got a room with two single beds for just over $30, which I believe is about half the regular rate.

Julian, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

Julian is a resort town, and a bit pricey by hiker standards, however, I was generally treated well there. You can catch a rural bus at Scissors Crossing to get into town, and another bus to take you back to Scissors Crossing. Consult the PCT Town Guide for the bus schedules.

I went into town for the day to resupply and for a couple of restaurant meals, but didn't spend the night there. There were motels around, but very expensive. However, there are a variety of restaurants, a nice do-nut shop, a library (closed on Mondays), a hardware store and a P.O. There are a couple of grocery stores, and together, they can be used for long term resupply. Prices at the stores are high even by CA standards, and I sensed some "hiker phobia" at one of them.

Warner Springs, CA

Rating: 3

Updated by Rainmaker on Oct. 4, 2001

There's not much for hikers in Warner Springs, and its a long, hot road walk into town and back. The pavement is hot, and there's not much shade.

The "oasis" here is the small gas station / convenience store. Prices are more or less reasonable, but selection is small, and its not good for long term resupply.

A public phone is available, the sodas are cold, and there's a picnic table near the store that has been placed there for the convenience of hikers. There's a P.O. near the store. There are also some shady tables near the back of the store (between the store and P.O.) available for hiker use.

When Brawny was here in April 2001, she stayed at the Warner Springs Ranch (she's not sure of the name, but its right across from the post office.) For $25 and a $5 electricity surcharge, she got a very large room. There was no TV or phone in her room, but she had access to a pool and a hot tub. There was a restaurant, but she didn't go there. However, she said that other hikers did, and that they said good things about it.

Idyllwild, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

Idyllwild is a bit expensive, but it has just about everything hikers need. The selection of motels is limited and no one could find the least expensive one that was / is listed in the PCT Town Guide. I ended up staying at the one closest to town; I believe the room cost about $50. There are a variety of restaurants in town as well as a P.O., a large drug store, a great supermarket and a laundromat. The people in town are accustomed to seeing hikers, and this was a very pleasant, if expensive, overnight stop.

Big Bear City, CA

The following information was received from Grayson McNeill in May 2008. Het opened an international hostel in Big Bear Lake, CA:

The fire dept. in Bear City no longer allows camping. But for about $20/night (see website for special price for PCT hikers), hikers can stay in the dorms at the Big Bear Hostel in Big Bear Lake which has sidewalks, movie theaters, a beautiful view of the ridge the PCT traverses on the far side of the lake. We are within a 5 minute walk of a farmers market/deli, 2 pizza places, 15 restaurants, 2 movie theaters, 8 pubs, a chinese buffet, Grizzly Bear Manor (best and biggest breakfasts in Big Bear!), IHOP, Denny's. You can easily take a bus from the hostel to VONS/SAFEWAY for $1 each way. Best of all, the Big Bear Lake post office is just 1 block from the hostel (92315) and is open Saturday when the Big Bear City post office is not.

To see the hostel's website, click here.

Wrightwood, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

Wrightwood has everything that hikers need, except for a laundromat. I stayed at the Pines Motel; "quaint", reasonable, and the rooms are a bit small, but laundry service is available. There are bars, banks and restaurants, as well as a great sandwich shop and a large hardware store. There are a couple of stores / supermarkets in town, which can be used for long term resupply.

Agua Dulce, CA

Rating: 5

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

By far, the most outstanding feature of Agua Dulce is the Saufley hostel. Its difficult to find the words to express the kindness and consideration that Jeff and Donna Saufley extend to PCT hikers. Most likely, you will not even have to find the hostel; either Jeff or Donna will find YOU while you are in town. The hostel is hiker heaven; a well stocked and comfortable, large mobile home adjacent to the main house. I've never been in a hostel where the needs of hikers were so well anticipated.

The town also has a nice restaurant, a hardware store and a convenience store. I've heard that the large supermarket is no longer in business; if anyone has up to date information on this, let me know. I don't believe there was a P.O. when I was there in 1999. However, I think Jeff & Donna will hold hiker mail and packages, and so will the Century 21 realtor in town. Since Donna Saufley does the laundry for all the hostel guests, I'm not sure whether there is a laundromat in town or not. Other than the Saufley hostel, there are no overnight accommodations in Agua Dulce, however, none are needed. No hiker in his right mind would pass up the place!

Independence, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

Independence is a bit spread out, but everything is in walking distance. There are several reasonable motels and restaurants and there's a P.O.

There is a medium sized supermarket which was seriously understocked when I was there. However, between the supermarket and the two gas station / convenience stores, long term resupply is possible. Prices are not unreasonable; just normal (high) for CA. I noticed some "hiker resentment" at the cafe across from the Whistle Stop Cafe, so I had the remainder of my restaurant meals at the Whistle Stop (sorry, fried green tomatoes were not on the menu). However, the food was good and the folks who run it were friendly.

Independence was an "okay" town stop, but due to the difficulty of resupplying, I was a bit sorry that I didn't go to Bishop instead.

Mojave, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Brawny on Oct. 4, 2001

I stayed at White's Motel. They will pick you up and take you back to the trail, if it fits their schedule. My room was very nice and cost about $40. It had a TV and phone, and there was coffee in the motel lobby.

There is a large supermarket, several restaurants (including fast food places), post office (near White's Motel), and a laundromat. I'm not sure about ATM's, but there should be some around.

Tehachapi, CA

Rating: 2

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

The problem with Tehachapi is that it is unbelievably spread out. Logistically, it is almost impossible to resupply here without hitch-hiking (unless you rent a car). Everything that you want is here, and prices are not unreasonable; getting to it is the problem.

Every hiker who has ever come here has probably asked why the P.O. is sitting all alone, way out in the desert. Here's the story: The USPS was looking for a place to build the P.O., and a land speculator had bought a bunch of land a mile or so outside of town. So, he donated the land to the USPS, thinking that the P.O. would stimulate development, and he would make money. It was a sweetheart deal for the P.O. Everyone made out like bandits, except for the postal customers, who have to make the unnecessary drive, and the hikers, who are genuinely inconvenienced.

I regret not going to Mojave instead.

Vermillion Valley, CA

Rating: 3

Updated by Rainmaker on Oct. 4, 2001

At Vermillion Valley Resort, you get the first night's stay in a large, frame supported tent free, and the folks who run the place are very nice.

They charge $6 for picking up and holding your package, which I thought was reasonable. They charge $15 for a round trip boat ride from the trailhead, and the alternative is to walk over 10 miles round trip on a muddy trail.

The prices at the store and the adjacent restaurant were very high. When I was here in 1999, I paid $14 for a dinner that consisted of a salad that was marginally good and a not-done baked potato. I also paid $5 for a shower in a bathroom that was absolutely filthy.

I suggest sending a food package here, restricting your stay to one night (free) and minimizing purchases at the store and restaurant. If you do all that, you might get in and out for less than $50.

Brawny stayed here in June 2001 and stated that she had a pleasant experience. She said that the staff was very helpful and friendly, the facilities were clean and that she had several very good and reasonably priced restaurant meals.

Kennedy Meadows, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 17, 2000

The nicest thing about reaching Kennedy Meadows is that for northbound hikers, it symbolically, and realistically, means that the desert portion of the PCT is done.

The store offers a shady porch and a couple of picnic tables for use by PCT hikers. Most hikers spend at least a few hours relaxing and resupplying here. The folks who run the store are hiker-friendly, and will pick up and hold a box for you for a modest fee.

Showers are available for $2.50; soap and towel furnished. There is no electricity here, the showers and hot water heater (and everything else electrical) are run with the help of a generator.

The store, in my opinion, is not suitable for long term resupply. I resupplied here, but it took some creativity. Its a good place to have a food box mailed to yourself.

The Grumpy Bear Restaurant is down the road a few miles, and I think it is open only on week-ends. The people who run the store will usually take hikers to the restaurant when they close (they drive right by it on their way home), and the restaurant owner generally will shuttle hikers back to the store, or the nearby campground. The food is pretty good at the restaurant, and there is a bar, but the menu is very limited. Basically, they prepare only one dinner and they don't care much for subsitution requests, or special orders.

Brawny was here in June 2001. A phone has been installed and we put it to good use. There are extra charges for making outgoing long distance calls, but no extra charges for incoming long distance calls.

She said that there is another restaurant, Ireland's, about a mile from the store. She was not satisfied with the service, but she said the food was good and that most of the hikers who ate there were satisfied with the experience.

Tuolumne Meadows, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Oct. 4, 2001

There is a medium size store here that can be used for long term resupply. There is a grill and a post office in the same building as the store. There are tables, benches and a couple of public phones outside, and the area is a popular hiker hang out. There is also a small gear shop a short distance down the road from the store in the same building that houses the gas station.

Restrooms and hiker campsites are located in the campground a short distance away from the store. When I was there, the charge for camping was $3. Showers are available at the lodge for a couple of dollars, and a bus is available. As far as I know, no laundry facilities are available. A bus leaves from the store once per day going down to Yosemite Valley. I think the fare each way is about $20.

Yosemite Valley, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Nov. 2, 2000

PCT hikers normally won’t come here unless they are completing the last 28 miles of the John Muir Trail. The valley has just about everything a hiker could want; think of it as Mall Of America meets the wilderness.

There are restaurants, a swimming pool, souvenir shops, a laundromat, ATM’s, an outfitter shop, and a large grocery store. There is bus service back to the Real World and also back to Tuolumne Meadows (about $20), where you can rejoin the PCT.

There is also a backpacker’s campground ($3 per night) at North Pines Campground. It is fairly easy to get around in the valley after the bus schedule is figured out. Don’t forget; your PCT permit is not good off the PCT, so you’ll need another permit if you want to hike from Tuolumne Meadows to the valley to finish the JMT.

Lone Pine, CA

Rating: 4

Submitted by Roy Robin on Oct. 4, 2001

I've stayed here twice while on the trail, first in '97 on our PCT hike, and then in '00 on a JMT hike.

Lodging: There is only one place in Lone Pine that a self-respecting hiker should stay. That's the Dow Villa Hotel. Great atmosphere, really cheap, friendly people. I'm talking $30 range with a bath down the hall, or a bit more for room with bath and phone. And you can share! And you can see all this great "cowboy movie" stuff in the lobby!

Food: Good pizza across the street, great breakfast, lunch and dinner at the restaurant just south of the hotel, many other options close by.

Resupply: Complete grocery store two blocks north, across the street. Also, two good sporting goods stores north of the hotel on the same side of the street.

Laundromat: One block north, across the street.

Getting to and from the trail: I never had any problem hitching into town from Whitney Portal. Getting back can be dicey. There are people who will get you there for an exorbitant price. But ask at the sporting goods store. I got a pretty good price there. Think about sharing with other hikers or, if it isn't too hot, hit the road and hope for the best.

Hiking plan: If you are northbound as most thruhikers are and plan to climb Whitney (and you should take the time!), consider doing Whitney from Crabtree Meadow and then continuing out to Whitney Portal and resupplying in Lone Pine. Then, avoid doing the 99 switchbacks by going back to the trail via Horseshoe Meadow and Cottonwood Pass. Sure, you'll rehike a few miles of the PCT, but you avoid a really heavy climb that you've seen going down, and you can take the Rock Creek Trail the second (or first) time through, and see some beautiful scenery in the upper Rock Creek cirque beneath The Major General. It's a good trail, but fragile. Tread lightly and don't forget your camera!

(TrailDad's official opinion, FWIW.)

Red's Meadow, CA

Rating: 3

Submitted by Rainmaker on Nov. 2, 2000

I was pleasantly surprised by the facilities here. There is a large store and souvenir shop that can be used for long-term resupply. The store was well stocked when I was here. However, when Brawny was here a bit earlier in the hiking season in 2001, many of the shelves were bare.

There is bus service to Mammoth Lake, a small but expensive cafe and a campground. However, for me, the most memorable part was the free (donations accepted) showers near the campground. The bathhouse is a bit "rustic", but the locks on the doors seem to work well enough and privacy is assured. The nearly hot water comes from a hot spring nearby. However, for hikers who are accustomed to a wilderness experience, it can be a bit crowded and hectic here.

Announcements
Green Valley

Unfortunately, I hadn't heard about Joe & Terrie Anderson, who live in Green Valley, in 1999, so I didn't have the opportunity to stop there. However, I'm very happy to pass along the following message I received from them:

We are Joe and Terrie Anderson and we would like to recommend Green Valley as a "trail town" for PCT hikers. Its just the next day (23 miles) from Jeff & Donna's hostel in Agua Dulce.

We feature a fairly well stocked store and a friendly small town restaurant with very good food that is reasonably priced.

The trail angels here (that would be us) make their home available to all thru-hikers and provide transportation to and from the trail road crossing at the ranger station.

We also have up to date trail information, and maintain 3 water caches in our area.

Looking foward to the class of '01!

Joe and Terrie Anderson
Green Valley, CA
(661) 270-0155
Joedaddy44@aol.com

Southern California

Central California

Northern California

Oregon

Washington