PCT Open Trail Directory
A data collection device for PCT fanatics. Find or post information about trail angels, trail towns, water caches, and more!

Best on the Crest
An online guide to food and lodging along the Pacific Crest Trail. This resource is primarily intended for section hikers, day hikers and their families. The notes currently cover central and northern California and also other PCT links.

Southern California:

Big Bear Hostel
The Big Bear Hostel is the perfect place to stay when passing through Big Bear Lake on the Pacific Crest Trail. Visit their site for more information.

Lauren Jerd
My name is Lauren Jerd, trailname Gazelle and my mother Carole and I live in San Diego city and are offering to pick up hikers at the San Diego airport, train stations etc. We are also available to give rides around the San Diego area for example, grocery store, REI etc. And hikers are welcome to stay the night at our home for a night or even a few days.
Warning we do own a cat in case that is a problem for anyone. Of course we are also giving rides out to the start of the trail at Campo. Also if hikers need a ride in the general Southern California area (Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles) it is possible that we could provide assistance in this regard as well, but we would have to limit the amount of long driving trips like this. The best way to contact me is through my email at ljerd@uci.edu.

Mount Laguna Mailing & Trail Info (no Web site)
Janine Funk works in the post office at Mount Laguna and knows the PCT in that region well (she's an equestrian and rides in the area often). If you have a mailing question in regards to Mount Laguna resupply, she would be glad to help. Janine can reached in the afternoons at (619) 473-8341.

Cienaga Creek Ranch
(909) 584-1147
The site says it all. Our Cottage is on the trail, and several hikers have suggested that we let it be known that it exists. It could be a restful spot during the big hike or a place to day hike. We'll give a special rate to hikers (Sun.-Thurs. only) if they mention they saw us here. Also, we have corrals for people that have horses.

Paradise Corner Cafe (no Web site)
(909) 659-0730
Paradise Corner Cafe Hwy 74 & 371, PCT Guidebook page 84 (water access), map B 5. Hours of operaion: Monday = Closed, Tuesday = Closed, Wednesday = 11a - 7p (seasonal), Thursday = 11a - 7p, Friday = 11a - 7p, Saturday = 11a - 7p, Sunday = 11a - 7p. Fax: (909) 659-0742, E-mail: pccafe@aol.com

The Tahquitz Inn
The Tahquitz Inn at Idyllwild is back in the general lodging business. Services include hiker boxes, and pick-ups and drop-offs at the Devil's Slide Trailhead (call first). Hiker packages are accepted (for USPS use PO Box 3360, Idyllwild CA 92549; for FedEx, UPS, DHL use 25840 Hwy 243 Idyllwild CA 92549). Phone: (951) 659-4554

Strawberry Creek Inn
A 10-room B&B and inn in Idyllwild, CA. Located on Strawberry Creek, about a 1/4-mile from the center of town--a short walk along the creek to the post office and laundromat. The inn caters to nature lovers, hikers, bird-watchers, etc (but in a slightly more "upscale" and less "rustic" environment). Call (800) 262-8969 or (951) 659-3202 for more info.

Jeff & Donna Saufley
(661) 268-1235
The Saufley's Hiker Heaven in Agua Dulce is accepting hiker packages (the P.O. and Century 21 are closed) as well as hosting all hikers (no charge). Send packages to PCT Hiker (name) c/o The Saufley's 11861 Darling Road, Agua Dulce, CA 91390-5406.

Hiker Town Hostel
Located where the PCT, Liebre Mountain, and the Western arm of the Mojave Desert come together, Hikertown Hostel is a place to stock up on water, get a ride to the store, rest in the shade, take a shower, or spend the night. Reservations are NEVER needed.  A $10.00 fee for services will now be charged, you may camp, however showers, etc will now have a fee!

Days Inn Mojave (Formerly White's Motel)
Days Inn of Mojave opened in time for the 2007 hiking season. For hiker shuttle service and reservations call ph (661) 824- 2421, fax (661) 824-2345 or email at daysinnmojave@yahoo.com

Nature's Inn in Big Bear City
Contact Machele or Rick at 1-877-585-2226 ext.0
Nature's Inn is located on the path that many hikers take from the PCT into Big Bear. The Inn offers hikers a 10% discount. It is a small 8 room inn with rooms ranging from $45.50 - $68.50 weekdays, and $57.50 - $86.50 Fri.&Sat. (effective April 1 - June 18th,2005). Rooms sleep from 2 to 6 people and 6 of them have spa tubs. All of them have small refrigerators, microwaves and coffee makers. Rollaways are available at no additional charge. Two rooms have full kitchens. We also have satellite tv in all rooms and a recreation room with a pool table, tv, and dart board.

Ponderosa Ranch Big Bear, CA.
Equestrian Lodging on PCT
www.bigbearponderosaranch.com
Our Ranch is nestled in a very quiet valley looking out on the Pacific Crest Trail, In Big Bear Ca.
Our guest house is large and clean, comes with linens, and full kitchen, BBQ area and Deck, Stars are Free of Charge. We are open year round. We have indoor outdoor barn stalls, round pen, arena. Trail riding, hiking, cart driving, and dogs welcome. Please visit our website. www.bigbearponderosaranch.com Come and ride the Pacific Crest trail!!
909.547.0181 John and Susan

(Almost) Free Big Bear Cabin for PCT Hikers

For PCT hikers only!  For $5 per person per night, get a hot shower, soft bed, and safe place to stow gear while you recharge/restock in town.  1870 gold-rush cabin updated to modern spec.  Two bedrooms--can sleep 8 if you're friendly.  Located in Erwin Lake area, about two miles west of PCT (for online map, enter "1071 G Lane, Big Bear City").  Public bus stop three blocks away.  Contact Mike at skyranch1@gmail.com

High Sierra Pack Station Pack Trips

Central California:

Chimney Creek Campground (no Web site)
760 377-4211
Stop by Chimney Creek Campground and see Grizzly Chuck the Camp Host. Possible Grizzly Burgers and fries, also a small concession stand consisting of soda pops and candy bars. Rides may be available up to 50 miles for a small fee. Water will be on at campground as of May 1st.

Animal House (no Web site)
Todd, Beth, Bill, and Jaynie ("Animal House) are trail angels active from July 1st to 7th at Lost Lakes in the Sierra. For the past 4 years Animal House has been providing food and water to thru- and section-hikers. Cots and foam mats to sleep on may also be available. You'll recognize Animal House by the 3 dogs and 2 cats that go camping with Todd, Beth, Bill, and Jaynie as well as by their 5th Wheels and white carport with "PCT Animal House" in painted on the top. During the first week of July, Animal House will have breakfast, dinners and fresh fruit for PCT travelers. If trail conditions to not allow Animal House to get to Lost Lakes, they will be just below at Upper Blue Lake.

Vermilion Valley Resort (VVR)
A thru-hiker tradition and very hiker-friendly. Owner is Jim Clement. Note that during June - Aug VVR doesn't check e-mail regularily. Try the e-mail first, if no answer then call. You do not have to call for permission to send packages, as some publications state. Charge is $10.00, VVR does offer a return service. The first night in one of our tents cabins is free and the first "cold one" is too! Winter telephone (619) 668 - 8711, summer (559) 259 - 4000.

Davison Street Guest House, Mammoth Lakes
Offering dorm beds, a large community kitchen, low rates, and a nice ambiance. A dorm bed is $21.42 plus tax and includes bed linens and towels. Phone: (858) 755-8648 (advance), (760) 924-2188 (walk-ins). The lodge is located at the corner of Lake Mary Rd at 19 Davison in Mammoth Lakes, CA.

Alpine County
530-694-2475
Alpine County is home to the Sonora Pass to Carson Pass section of the PCT. Call or email the Chamber of Commerce/USFS Visitors Center for current trail conditions, area lodging, dining and services, hiker shuttles, wilderness permits and mail or package pickup. Open 7 days a week, April through October.

Berkeley Echo Lake Camp
530-659-7506
Located 1/4 mile south of Echo Lake on Echo Lake Road. Ten miles from Lake Tahoe. We generally have plenty of space for drop-in visitors. For $32 a day, cash, you can have three hot meals, hot showers, use of the swimming pool and most other facilities. Stay in a large tent cabin with bunks and mattresses.

Pooh Corner
530-587-4485
For many years, Bill and Molly Person have been providing free hospitality for Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers at the Donner Summit (old Highway 40) area just north of Lake Tahoe. We live about four miles from the PCT and will pick up and deliver hikers from the trail. We expect to be open from the late June to August 1. Last year, we hosted about a hundred thru-hikers and look forward to the coming season.

Pooh Corner receives food drops, provides free beds, meals, showers, laundry, etc. We also make airport runs for significant others and anything else we can to support thru hikers in their quests. Our cabin faces on Donner Lake and provides swimming boating, etc. or just plain loafing.

Bill hiked the AT in 96 (Pooh, SillyOldBear) and welcomes the chance to repay a little of the hospitality I received. Please spread the word.

Mailing Address:
Bill & Molly Person
PMB 154
11448 Deerfield Dr.
Truckee, CA 96161

Shinney Boo Creek Cabins
Shinney Boo Creek Cabins has eight luxury rustic camping cabins with full bathrooms and facilities on Eagle Lakes Rd near the PCT trailhead on Donner Summit. The cabins are available from $109 midweek to $129 weekends.

Lost Trail Lodge
This backountry lodge is just 3 miles from the PCT in Truckee , Ca. More than once, trail hikers have stumbled upon this place and enjoyed a nice shower and glass of milk. Rooms are $55/person/night year round. The lodge has 4 bedroom cabins (3 with Jacuzzi tubs), is powered with solar energy, dog friendly, and has a small corral for horses to stay. It is tucked in Coldstream Canyon , 4 miles out of Truckee, which could make for an easy resupply stop. E-mail Lost Trail Lodge, Phone: (530) 320-9268

Northern California:

Sierra Country Store, Sierra City (no Web site)
Owners Larry and Kathy are very hiker friendly. The store has been remodeled to include a large selections of groceries and beverages as well as hamburgers, hot dogs, deli sandwiches, and salads. Laundry facilities, new tables for spreading out gear, and drinking water also available. Phone: (530) 862-1560. E-mail Sierra Country Store

Little Haven at Belden (no Web site)
Free (donations accepted) services to PCT Hikers at Little Haven, 1.1 mile east of the Belden Bridge on Hwy 70. During June/early August of 2003 we will provide shuttle to and from the trailhead to the Post Office, (Caribou) store & laundry, provide coleman fuel, etc, and allow hikers to stay in our home. We will accept and hold food packages for hikers, but hikers should know that we will be leaving sometime in early August .

We recommend that hikers mail their packages to themselves c/o Little Haven:
Hiker's Name c/o Little Haven (Braatens)
P.O. Box 400
Belden, CA 95915

(530) 283-9880
email: LJBraaten@aol.com

Martha's Equestrian Hotel (no Web site)
At Castle Crags off Interstate 5. Over the years horses and llamas have somehow found their way to Martha's Farm. Space was created this year to accomodate several horses. For more info please call Martha at (530) 235-0272

Hikers Hut in Etna (no Web site)
The hut opens April 15. Dave and Vicki Harrison will accept hikers' UPS packages. Nightly hut rates are $20 and include continental breakfast. Dave and Vicki Harrison, Alderbrook Manor, Etna, CA 96037, (530) 467 3917)

Seiad Valley Store & Restaurant
Now called Wild West Cafe, still the home of the "Pancake Challenge." Hours are M-TH 7 am to 4 pm, Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8-7, Sun 8-4pm. It is possible that they will be open Sun. evenings as well, These hours begin on May 1st and end Sept 31st--at which time they will be closed on Mondays. Discounts available for hikers who stay at Mid River Trailer Park.

Thompson Creek Lodge - Cabins (no Web site)
(530) 496-3657
Our cabins are located on 7 miles from the Trailhead in Seiad Valley, CA. We provide pick up shuttle service from the Seiad Valley store and return shuttle to the trail head. Our accommodations feature full housekeeping cabins with complete kitchens, swimming pool, on site laundry, relax on our 2,000+ sq. ft. deck overlooking Thompson Creek.

Eldorado National Forest Interpretive Association (no Web site)
Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 644.6048
Send an email to: Eldorado National Forest Interpretive Association
ENFIA built, staffs and maintains the Carson Pass Visitor Center on the PCT. We minister to all of the PCT trekkers with information, compassion, fresh fruit, and a multitude of other services. We have commiserated with those who have only seen snow for the past two months. We have aided the infirm with transport to the local hospital. We have been a PCTA partner.

Drakesbad Guest Ranch
End of Warner Valley Road
Chester, CA 96020
Phone: 530-524-2841
Drakesbad is accepting packages for hikers, mail available for pickup 7 days a week. Ed & Billie welcome hikers to come in, take a hot shower, and dip in the pool!

Chester, CA, Post Office (no Web site)
In the area of Mount Lassen National Park.
Address - 218 Laurel Lane, Chester, CA 96020-9998 Phone: 530-258-4184
Post office is open 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday.

Oregon:

Sea to Summit Mt. Shuttles
We are available 365 days a year and are willing to assist hikers throughout the Oregon/Washington regions of the Pacific Crest Trail. I will soon update our shuttle and transportation page to include the PCT and some more related info and return the link. Our rates run approximately $40-50 per hour depending on drive time.

Ashland Oregon Post Office (No link)
The Ashland Oregon Postmaster would like PCT hikers to know that their post office can only hold General Delivery mail for 30 days. Anything after 30 days is returned to sender. The post office is also about 12 miles from the PCT, so it's not that convenient. You've been warned.

Thimbleberry Cabin
Cozy mountain getaway footsteps off the Pacific Crest Trail.  Conveniently nestled between Ashland, Crater Lake and Klamath Falls.  Five miles from Lake of the Woods.  Fully furnished and family friendly.  For rental information call (707)396-2829 or write to thimbleberrycabin@comcast.net." I'd love to host through hikers for a home cooked dinner and a load of laundry when our family is in residence at the cabin.

Callahan's Lodge
Located in Ashland, Oregon, off I-5 at Exit 6, just below Mount Ashland and the PCT. The owners of Callahan's have enjoyed hosting PCT hikers for more than 7 years! They are open everyday from 7am to 9pm or later. All you can eat spaghetti dinners for $10, "first beer free", guest rooms, and camping on the lawn available. Call 1-800-286-0507.

Jo's Motel, Grocery and Campground
Hi, folks - just wanted to let you know about our little organic grocery, motel and campground on the Wood River near the Sevenmile Trailhead to the Sky Lakes Wilderness.

Camper's Cove Resort , Hyatt Lake
A small family operated campground just off the trail. Services such as free tent space and showers as well as rides to trailheads, help with emergencies, and phone calls available.

Olallie Lake Resort
Send an email to: Olallie Lake Resort
Olallie Lake Resort is one of the locations for PCT packages and a picturesque rest stop for hikers alongside the PCT trail. Come visit us in the store, and grab an ice cream or two or three! Our staff is friendly and helpful, and our store is kept stocked full of groceries and goodies, plus we try to keep fresh fruit on hand for all of you who crave it! Refill with good drinking water and take a load off your feet while you sit on our bench swings that overlook Olallie lake and Mt. Jefferson. Breathtaking! See you there.

Also check out the PCT page of our website.

Timberline Lodge
We accept packages for thru-hikers from April 15th to October 15th for $3.00/box. All letter are free, both can only be picked up in the Wy'East Gift Shop at Timberline Lodge, which is located in the Day Lodge. We can only return unused packages to hikers who mail them US Postal Service. At the end of the season, we will assume that USPS senders want their boxes and letters back, will "Return to Sender" the boxes and letters that have complete return addresses. We are able to return these packages "Return to Sender" without a fee. For all other methods and any box without a complete return address, including Fedex and UPS, we require that you call us with a credit card number so we can charge you the amount for your return. All packages unable to be returned by October 15th will be destroyed unless we have been contacted by sender.
Please pick up your box personally. In the past, hikers have miscommunicated about who would pick up the groups' boxes, and we like to avoid confusion as much as possible.

The store hours vary, but should be close to the following
9am-5pm Sunday - Saturday April 15th-June 15th
7am-7pm Sunday -Saturday June 15th-September 15th
9am-5pm Sunday- Saturday September 15th-October 15th

The only laundry services and Grocery store nearby is three miles down the Alpine Trail in Government Camp. Timberline Lodge offers laundry only to hotel guests, and reservations are very strongly recommended, as summer is our busiest season. We do carry a few snack items in the gift shop, and Timberline has several lunch and dinner venues. There is a camp ground about 2 miles down Timberline Road from the day Lodge

Washington:

Sea to Summit Mt. Shuttles
We are available 365 days a year and are willing to assist hikers throughout the Oregon/Washington regions of the Pacific Crest Trail. I will soon update our shuttle and transportation page to include the PCT and some more related info and return the link. Our rates run approximately $40-50 per hour depending on drive time.

Bahma Coffee Bar
Kent & Dawn Nielson invite you their coffee house in Stevenson, WA. Bahma Coffee Bar opened it's doors in February of 2004 and provides a relaxing & refreshing atmosphere with incredible views of the Columbia River.

Trout Lake, WA
Trout Lake is a town of 600 friendly people located 13 miles south of the PCT trail junction with FS Rd 23. From the north, this junction is 2.8 trail miles after leaving Mt. Adams Wilderness area. From the south this junction is 79.2 trail miles north of Cascade Locks/Bridge of the Gods. There are places to eat, stay, and purchase supplies in town as well as trail angels and special events. Learn more from this Word doc.

CASCADE MOUNTAIN & ROPES OUTDOOR ADVENTURES 
Shawn Johnson and Bill Smith are offering 24 hour 7 day a week shuttle service to hikers; call 541-490-7657 (cell) or 509-395-3620 (store). They also offer, hot showers, hot meals, mail service, equipment storage, resupply as well as rustic cabins at $7.00 a night. "We can take good care of you, almost as good as your Mom"! 
Mailing address
(please call prior to shipping UPS)
Cascade Mountain & Ropes Outdoor Adventures 
2387 A Hwy 141 OR P.O. Box 56 
Trout Lake, WA 98650

Wanderers' Mail Service
This Seattle-based (Pike Place Market) mail forwarding service has recently been involved with helping hikers with gear distribution. Additionally Wanderers' Mail Service has stored gear and sent it to specified locations and has received gear that is not needed any longer. The mail service business has also acted as the main point of contact for some hikers and a way in which family and friends could check in etc. Wanderers' has been in business since 1909. The mainstay of their business is supporting "wanderers" of every type whether they are traveling for business, or pleasure by foot, boat, rv etc. They can be reached at (206) 441-5678

Stabler Country Store (no Web site)
22 Hemlock "Y" Rd, Carson, Wa. 98610
Phone: (509) 427-2717
We are located ½ mile south of the PCT trail as it crosses HWY 30 (Wind River HWY). We are open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM. We are a full convenient store with lots of snacks, drinks, maps, HOT biscuits & gravy on Sat. and Sun Mornings as well as hot dogs & sausage dogs in the afternoon. We also offer our store address for you to send boxes ahead if you need to.

Goldmyer Hotsprings
Unique wilderness hot springs. Can be found on map J1 of the Oregon-Washington PCT Guidebook. Can be reached northbound from Snoqualmie pass via the Snow Lake and Middle Fork Trails (about 11 miles from Alpental Ski Area- inaccessible during high water) or southbound via Dutch Miller Gap and Middle Fork Trails (about 13.5 miles). The hot springs are owned and managed year round by Northwest Wilderness Programs (NWWP), a non-profit organization. The hot springs are surrounded by old-growth forest and are minimally developed. NWWP's goal is to keep it that way. Access is limited to 20 people per day. A caretaker is living on the property. PCT hikers are welcome!

DINSMORE'S RIVER HAVEN
Email Dinsmore's
(360) 677-1237 House (206) 954-2521 cell

The Dinsmore's have been opening their home to PCT hikers since 2003 and live 15 miles west of Steven's Pass summit on the Tye River and Hwy 2. Hitch into Skykomish and the Dinsmore's will pick you up. If you arrive at Steven's Pass after dark, call us and we will come get you. The Dinsmore's offer camping, laundry, and showers. Hikers may use the phone with phone card.

PLEASE ONLY ONE ZERO DAY AT THEIR HOME.

There will be a charge for any extra days. Please remember this is the Dinsmore's HOME. They do what they can to make you dry, warm, clean and hopefully resupplied. Internet available in the Town of Skykomish at the library for groups. Singles may use the computer here. The Cascadia Inn has a cafe open Wed-Mon 11am-9pm.
Dinsmore's will pick up and hold all boxes and mail for PCT thru-hikers. Post Office is closed at 3:30pm M-F and only open on Sa. for pick up from 8-10am. USPS address: Dinsmore's River Haven, (your name), PO BOX 374, Skykomish, WA . 98288. UPS home delivery address: Dinsmore's River Haven, (your name), 76110 NE 123rd st., Skykomish, WA . 98288. Arrival date on all packages please. Packages that need to be returned will be arranged and paid for by sender. If you leave gear we will mail it back but you must prepay. We hold all forgotten gear for one season. Then it's up for grabs. If they can figure out who it belongs to they will contact you.

Skykomish Post Office (no Web site)
Please note a change in scheduled hours for the window service at the Skykomish Post Office. Mail arrives and leaves at the same time as previously scheduled. The office hours are being changed to coincide with the departure of the mail truck (3:45pm). As of April 2003 the window hours are: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 11:30am and 12:00pm to 3:45pm. For more information call (360) 677-2241.

Cascadia Inn, Skykomish, WA
The Cascadia offers the hikers low rates ($20 to $30 a night) and a place to do laundry. "We've really enjoyed having these colorful and determined individuals come and stay with us," says the manager. "I would love to see more of them next summer."

Canada:

Manning Park Resort
As the beginning and/or end of the Pacific Crest Trail, Manning Park Resort, in the heart of the EC Manning Provincial Park, is the ideal way for hikers to relax, enjoy and refresh. Look for PCT hiker-specific info on the park's Web site.

"Trail hosts", Vancouver, BC (no Web site)
Winona and Peter Rowat are "trail hosts" in Vancouver, BC Canada. Camp in yard. Anyone over 50 can camp in the basement suite. Get key from upstairs tenants
Address: 3375 Ash (18th and Cambie) Vancouver, BC V523E4 Canada
E-mail the Rowats