I just completed the TCT this past weekend. It’s one heck of a hike! But no shortage of stunning scenery.
The big thing I wanted to share is that the official trail route changed about 3 weeks ago (roughly late September). Which had I known would have changed which campgrounds I booked and when. Fortunately when I stopped at the Conservancy in Avalon, they told me and I was able to buy an updated map. But the main changes are:
1. The trail begins at the Conservancy (they said they’re making some sort of sign identifying it as such) and proceeds up the Hermit Gulch trail where it meets Divide Road. As my original plan was to hike from Avalon to Blackjack, this modification shaved a mere 5 miles off my route. Phew!
2. Once past the airport, the trail no longer descends down Sheep Chute, but rather a bit farther west on Big Springs Ridge down into Little Harbor. This change adds roughly a mile to the segment between the airport and Little Harbor. But is less steep from what I was told.
3. The end of the trail is no longer Starlight Beach. Instead it’s now a loop from/to Two Harbors. Leave Two Harbors as normal, up Silver Peak Trail then down Fenceline Road into Parsons Landing. Then continue back to Two Harbors by way of the coastline road.
When it’s all said and done, the overall trail length didn’t change, it’s still about 39 miles. I camped the first night in Blackjack (they have running water and bathrooms) then the 2nd and 3rd nights in Two Harbors. I was originally going to stay in Parsons Landing, but as it’s now a loop, figured I’d stay close to where there was real food, beverage and bathrooms! Breaking it up that way was about a 10 mile Day 1, 12 mile Day 2, and 14 mile Day 3.
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