Last updated October 28, 2004

Castle Crags, September 7-8

The plan is to gather at Castle Crags State Park in northern California on the weekend of September 7-8, 2002. Among those who voted, this seemed to be the most popular place. (The next most popular choice was Callahans.)

I'll update this page (and send out messages through the PCT77 group at Yahoo! Groups) as plans come together. In particular, I'll let you know about making reservations, shared costs (if any), and so on as we figure this thing out. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, address them to the group at pct77@yahoogroups.com or to me individually at carl@pct77.org.

Who's Coming

Click here to see the latest roster...which is promptly updated whenever I feel like it.

Getting There

Castle Crags is right off I-5, the major freeway that connects California, Oregon, and Washington. Although it's kind of out in the boonies, it's pretty easy to get to.

By Air

The closest airport is Redding, which is about 60 miles south. Here's a schedule of all the flights to/from Redding, which is served by Horizon Air and United Express. Avis and Hertz have rental centers at the Redding airport. 

Your next best bets are Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, and Reno.

By Rail

Amtrak--if they're still in business by then--operates the Coast Starlight between Seattle and Los Angeles. It stops in Dunsmuir, about six miles north of Castle Crags. The scheduled arrival times are 12:20 AM for the southbound train and 5:04 AM for the northbound train. Someone from our encampment could undoubtedly pick you up at the station.

By Bus

Greyhound plies I-5, stopping in Dunsmuir.

By Car

A long drive for all of us on the west coast--and even for those flying in...

From San Diego
713 miles
12 hours
From Los Angeles
592 miles
10 hours
From Sacramento
210 miles
3-1/2 hours
From Oakland
260 miles
4-1/2 hours
From Reno
230 miles
6-1/2 hours
From Portland
378 miles
6-1/2 hours
From Olympia
491 miles
8-1/2 hours

Mileage and time estimates are from MapQuest

By Foot

The Pacific Crest Trail...

Accommodations

Most people who expressed a preference wanted to car camp, so the plan is to stay at the campground in the state park. (I'll find out about reservations and keep you posted; I don't yet know whether we'll be better off reserving all sites at once or individually.)

There are motels in Castella and Dunsmuir.

Activities

Nothing is organized yet, and your thoughts and suggestions are requested. A few ideas:

  • Friday night potluck, barbecue, drinking, talking, slide shows, old and new equipment review
  • Saturday morning - day (after hangovers subside) day hike along the PCT locally (Strider has several suggestions for this from the local PCT trail coordinator up there)
  • Saturday night dinner at a restaurant on the side of Mt. Shasta or in Dunsmuir or Callahans (long drive)?
  • Biggest Trail Story - Lie Contest
  • Guess How Much Mad Monte Weighs Contest
  • Guess How Many Kids Hacker Has Contest
  • Where in the World are the Unfortunates Contest
  • Best Picture Contest
  • Awards for contest prizes? Pop can stove, Photon Lite II, a free re-hike the PCT trail pass, ???
  • Sunday morning climb Mt. Shasta, show more slides, pack up and go home.