Old Station

Old Station is a moving target. Experience has taught us that anything you're counting on in terms of food or lodging better be confirmed and re-confirmed just prior to your trip.

The Hat Creek Resort (12533 Hwy 44/89, 800 568-0109) is the commercial center of Old Station, although it's a couple miles to the south of town. We've found that when most trail people talk about "Old Station" they're really talking about the venerable store, motel and cabin complex with the creek running through it.

The resort, with seven motel rooms, nine housekeeping cabins and RV spaces, has been under new ownership since 2006. As of 2008, the cabins and rooms have all been upgraded with new furnishings and air conditioning. Cabins could pencil out as a good deal for a group of hikers, but may require a multi-night booking. The motel rates are up, on par with what you'd find in Burney. The resort's restaurant, the Coyote Grill, is long gone. There is still a very modest store/deli on the property serving burgers and sandwiches. On many Friday nights, very good barbecue is added to the offerings. Most important to thru-hikers: This is where the post office is.

In the last three years, the hiker love quotient in Old Station has shot off the charts, thanks entirely to the gracious hospitality and devotion of trail angels Georgi and Dennis Heitman, who hosted 270 hikers in the 2007 season. Their Hiker Hideaway is an oasis in the grand tradition of the Saufleys, the Andersons, the Dinsmores, et al. You'll find tents, a legendary treehouse, hot tub, showers, laundry and other magic. Please note that their space to store resupply packages is extremely limited. And again, please remember these are angels, not merchants. You are a *guest* in their home, not a customer. Please show them the requisite amount of respect and affection. Georgi Heitman has requested (quite understandably) that her home phone number not be listed on the Web. If you are on the trail, you'll not have any problem procuring it. Alternately, the operators of the Hat Creek Resort Store have the number and will be happy to hook you up.

As for the actual town of Old Station, in three trips through the area we've never found the restaurants there to be open. Uncle Runt's, the subject of much exposition in older PCT journals, is long closed. Across the road from Uncle Runt's, the funky Rim Rock Ranch Resort (13275 Highway 89, 530 335-7114) -- with a modest store, 10 cabins and two motel units -- may be the only viable concern still alive in downtown Old Station on any given day. As of 2008, J.J.'s Cafe (13385 Hwy. 89, 530 335-7225) was serving only breakfast and lunch, at the intersection of highways 89 and 44. You'll need to call and confirm the current hours on J.J.'s.