Steamboat, the PCT is actually a pretty easy walk heading down from the bridge. On the west side, the side the picture was taken from, the trail rises slightly and then levels off about half way up the side of the gorge. As you walk toward the hot springs you stay at almost the same elevation but the creek keeps getting farther below you, hundreds of feet, in fact. At least the 7 miles or so I hiked, before I turned back. I originally was exploring along Deep Creek, looking for an indian campsite I had read about on the internet. Of course, I didn't realize I was going in the wrong direction. When I came back up to the area of the bridge I ran into a couple of hiker that had a map, so we followed the PCT toward the hot springs. Their intention was to go to the Pinacles. Remember how, to newcomers, the distances on maps in CA can be deceiving? After a couple of hours we got to an area that we recognized on the map, and realized we were only about a third of the way! No one knew where we were, no one to pick us up, and we still would have had to make our way back. We just looked at each other, and without a word headed back. The reason I'm rattling on about this is, when you go, you either need to start VERY early, plan on getting picked up (why I was asking about 173) or be prepared to spend the night. I've been paying attention to previous posts and I have a question: What are the rules? Can you camp, do you need to sign in at a ranger station, can you bring weapons of any kind for protection, what's the situation with wildlfe (mountain lions, bears, rattlesnakes, scorpions), and, above all, Are we having fun, yet???? Sorry, I'm just goofing around. I do intend to make the trip, and I do intend to travel smart. Any advice will be taken seriously. Thanks
