Stops along the PCT provide different levels of utility. Some stops offer showers, or laundry, maybe a snickers bar or two, others offer full blown grocers and a place to buy new shoes. For me, the Burney Mountain Guest Ranch couldn’t have come at a better time.
I’m a battery hog. And at the moment it’d been 78 miles since I had a chance to charge them in Chester. With still another 91 miles to cross I-5, my portable power supply situation was looking grim, until I saw the sign for the ranch.
Along the trail, two homemade signs signaled a turn off for quarter mile spur to the ranch. Like passing billboards on the Interstate, I had enough time to collect my thoughts and capitalize on the opportunity. For all you marketing majors out there, I personally wouldn’t have pulled off without the key words “charge your phone”.
Quickly I was greeted by other hikers. Shortly after Linda arrived with a cup of homemade icecream.
Linda and her husband purchased this ranch, which has cabins and tentsites, as part of their retirement. A mother of two enlisted boys (men), and a self published poet among other things, Linda has the touch for hospitality. They originally imagined fishermen and hunters as their primary client, but they quickly adapted after opening in April of this year, when they realized the hikers were passing through.
A tent site is $10. The plated special of the day is also $10 (last night was a fantastic burrito). And they also carry most items a hiker would need for a full resupply ontop of accepting resupply packages by mail. A bed is $100, which includes shower, laundry, and two meals (which is a good deal for the area). They also have a pool, and guest lobby of sorts with a pool table and large TV. Most importantly (for me anyway), you can camp with your electronics plugged in overnight.
And by the way, the surrounding mountain landscape is beautiful.
This being the first year of new ownership I can see thia place quickly becoming a hiker favorite.
I feel bad for Shadow though.
He gets picked on by the Siamese male and female.
PCT Mile 1,407.2
