I did a hike that included Hat Creek Rim on the PCT. There was a heat wave and it was close to 100 degrees, not quite there, but very hot.
There is a new access trail from the Rim down to Lost Creek. The access trail is about 5 miles north of the vista point off Highway 44. So now you can carry less water from Subway Cave or at least worry a little less. The access trail is a little sketchy and quite steep, dropping about 400 feet in a short distance, but the creek is reliable and cold. There’s no place to camp down at the creek but there is room to camp next to the access trail.
This water will really help people going southbound, that’s for sure. It helped us a lot going northbound. Really cooled us off.
North of Hat Creek Rim on the PCT with still several miles to go before the next on trail water, there is a place called Burney Mountain Guest Ranch. A few years ago my boyfriend and I saw it for sale and perused the listing with those what-if kind of dreams you know you’ll never do. We stopped in to cool off an get a room for the night. The rooms are pricey but their main clientele are fisherman, not really the PCT hikers, and if you get a room or bunk there are also home-cooked meals included.
PCT and hikers can pitch a tent and use the pool for just $15 which is less than I ever left any trail angel, so it’s quite a good deal. There is laundry, there’s a shady porch with table and chairs and a refrigerator stocked with honor-system snacks and ice cream for sale. I noticed a big pile of homemade cupcakes that were marked “free.” They also have some supplies and a computer with internet if you need that. They said that a lot of hikers have been coming by just to get out of the heat for a while. They are happy to help and offer a-la-carte services like this knowing that hikers will only need a little of this or that, not really the full package.
They say they are .2 miles from the PCT. There are signs on the PCT to let you know how to get there. The PCT is basically on their property here. It seemed a little longer than .2 miles but that is probably accurate. It always seems longer when you don’t know where you are going.
I think it’s still another 9 miles or so to Burney Falls. It’s not exactly all that wildernessy here so coming across a resort with a pool after ~20 miles without water hiking at near 100 degrees is appreciated, not an annoyance.
Drakesbad Resort in Lassen National Park has new management and they require a reservation if you want to have a meal there. Without a reservation you might get a meal if you are patient, or you might not. The trail angel in Old Station no longer operates and the store there was nearly empty when we were there. There’s a nice restaurant near Subway Cave, but you may have passed it by. So if you are feeling pretty hungry or weary, the Burney Mountain Guest Ranch might seem pretty welcome.
I ended my hike near the Guest Ranch, and drove over to spend a little time at Burney Falls. It was about 25 degrees cooler sitting in the shade near the falls. My boyfriend continued his hike and is on his way to Ashland.
