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Not sure yet if I can make this trip; will have to check in again as the date approaches. It's actually at a good time in my training routine (for an upcoming race in May) that I may get a friend or two together and just run the entire length as a day run and plan to run into you guys at some point on the trail to say hi.
Anyway, to answer questions about the trail, it's about 18 miles from end to end.
Figure on day 1 being about 5 miles to Beartrap Camp. Some gentle climbs on the way there but pretty mellow overall. Camp near Beartrap Creek.
Day 2 to 3 mile camp is probably 6 miles; steady uphill for the first three or so miles climbing up Beartrap Creek and then you reach the saddle as you approach Haddock Camp and things sorta' level out. From Haddock Camp onward you'll be hiking along Pidera Blanca Creek; probably not much water in the creek until you get closer to 3 Mile camp.
Pine Mountain Lodge camp is another 2 miles or so past and has a small but reliable spring nearby. Some minor ups and downs along the way.
From Pine Mountain Lodge to the Piedras Blancas TH is about 5 miles or so, mostly downhill or flat. Lots of water available as you get closer to Twin Forks Camp.
For elevation, figure you start at Camp Sheideck at around 3800', top out just around 6200' and then finish at 3200'.
Lots of cool rock formations to explore all along the entire trail including some interesting archaeological sites if you know where to look.
Here's a link to the trail map on Gmap4: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=34.66199,-119.281031&t=t4&z=14&hillshade=18&coord=latlng&directions=off&label=off&layers=off&streetview=on
Edited by NickB on 03/07/2013 18:56:06 MST.
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