Daily Miles: 25.2, Total Miles: 418.7 I finished the frog detour and got back on the PCT. I crossed several drainages and the Angeles Crest Highway again. No water at Sulfur Springs so headed to Fountainhead Spring, just a trickle but enough to get a bottle underneath. The spring was well guarded by poodle dog bushes so a bit tricky. Encountered another detour a few miles away, bypassing 5 miles of the PCT damaged by the devastating 2009 Station Fire….
Daily Miles: 24.0, Total Miles: 393.5 Trail angel Brett gave Will, Roadrunner and I a ride out to the TH. The first five miles were a pleasant, mostly shaded walk to Vincent Gulch Divide. Then a steady 2,800 ft climb to Baden-Powell Peak at just under 9,400 ft elevation, only a short detour off the PCT. The wind was gusting to over 60 mph on top. A day hiker who had been there before pointed out Catalina Island off the…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 369.5 First, another great breakfast at the Evergreen with Will, Roadrunner, Hedgehog, Boo Boo and Matt. Then a day of rest in Wrightwood, a nice hiker-friendly mountain town. Dinner back at the Yodeler for taco night with other hikers. We christened Matt with the trail name of 5-Star because he moved out of his place at the Pine Cabins. o Cleaning the crust off the table in his room was just too disgusting. I think…
Daily Miles: 4.9, Total Miles: 369.5 We descended down the Blue Ridge past the Mountain High Ski area to Highway 2. Two couples were in front of me trying to hitch into Wrightwood on a slow traffic Sunday and Mother’s Day. A gentleman in a pickup with a camper shell stopped with two friendly dogs in the back. Vince said he would take as many as he could. Hedgehog, Boo Boo, Iceman and Cattywampus squeezed into the back with all…
Daily Miles: 22.5, Total Miles: 364.6 From the I-15 underpass and crossing railroad tracks, it was straight into the San Gabriel Mountains, all uphill for a 5,000 ft elevation gain over 22.5 miles to the Guffy CG at 8,225 ft elevation. Great views in nearly a 360-degree panorama, Swarthout Canyon and the San Andreas Rift to the north. Thank goodness for the two trail angel provided water caches on the way up. I’m sure I would have come into camp…
Daily Miles: 24.7, total Miles: 342.1 Straightaway there were good views in the early morning of the upcoming San Gabriel Mountains. Just before the Mohave Siphon Power Pant, I found a trail angel’s ice chest with some special treats. Apples, cherry tomatoes and hard-boiled eggs were certainly appreciated and unexpected! I soon arrived at Silverwood Lake State Park’s Cleghorn picnic area for shaded cabanas and water. Warming up fast so the climb to Cleghorn Ridge seemed hard. Near a small…
Daily Miles: 25.8, Total Miles: 317.4 An enjoyable hike down Holcomb Creek and then further down, crossing the steel and wood bridge spanning Deep Creek. Good views of the beautiful creek and inviting sand bars for miles. I eventually reached the Deep Creek Hot Springs and couldn’t resist alternating between the hot spring and the cold plunge into the creek. Several other thru-hikers, day hikers and a few partyers were also enjoying the hot springs. After drying off and packing…
Daily Miles: 26.3, Total Miles: 291.6 I shared a ride back to Highway 18 with fellow Arizonans, Will and Roadrunner. The trail traversed Gold Mountain which sparked my interest having been in the mining industry my entire career. A gold rush took place here in the 1860’s but also evidence of more recent activity throughout the day. Great views of Big Bear Lake and the San Gorgonio peaks at a lunch break at the Cougar Crest trail junction. I saw…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 265.3 I washed my clothes last night and the laundromat was next door to a donut shop. Now that’s a combination that saved me a few steps. Got down to freezing last night but I was toasty at the Inn. Today’s task was to find replacement socks and gaiters that have worn out. Walked out and bussed to Big Bear Village – more mileage than yesterday but it doesn’t count! No gaiters to be had…
Daily Miles: 6.8, Total Miles: 265.3 No rain but cold last night – gloves, skullcap and jacket on most of the way to Highway 18. I quickly hitched a ride five miles straight to the Big Bear City post office to get my re-supply box and checked into the funky, hiker-friendly Nature’s Inn. I then left for a huge Ortega omelette at Thelma’s – saving their coconut cream pie for tomorrow! Maybe snow tomorrow so perfect for zero day and…
