Читать книгу Day & Section Hikes Pacific Crest Trail: Southern California онлайн

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Veteran hikers are accustomed to referring to U.S. Geological Survey maps. Unfortunately, the PCT is new enough in many areas that the USGS maps often do not show the trail. Moreover, the other maps recommended in this section are more cost-effective and convenient to use.

A hiker by the trail name of Halfmile has developed an excellent set of PCT maps that can be freely downloaded for personal use and printed at your own computer. Halfmile’s maps are based on the USGS maps but have the PCT and other key landmarks annotated. GPS users can also download GPS waypoints and tracks from the Halfmile site. The maps and data are found at www.pctmap.net.

Another hiker by the trail name of Postholer has posted a handy Google Map of the trail at: http://postholer.com/gmap/gmap.php.

PERMITS

Hikers should be aware of several permit requirements. The national forests in Southern California have instituted a Forest Adventure Pass system that requires vehicles parked on most national forest land to display a permit. This regulation applies to the majority of hikes in this book. The Forest Service aggressively tickets vehicles failing to display the pass at popular trailheads. A pass costs $5 for the day or $30 for the year. You may be able to purchase an adventure pass at a ranger station or business near the trailhead, although this approach can be problematic if you plan to start early. Alternatively, you can order a permit from the Forest Service by mail or on the Internet. Outdoor enthusiasts may find the Interagency Annual Pass to be a better value. This $80 pass covers entry fees to national parks and other federal lands, as well as substituting for a Forest Adventure Pass.