Daily Miles: 31.3, Total Miles: 558.0 I woke up on my concrete platform this morning about 3am and I could see several constellations without my glasses and I’m nearly blind without them. I did put them on and enjoyed the show. Early day because I’m expecting a lot of sun on a long trek. I continued following the aqueduct and loaded up with water at a water cache where the PCT departs the aqueduct. I headed into the Tehachapi Mountains…
Daily Miles: 28.2, Total Miles: 527.0 Uphill in the morning to the Liebre Mountain summit and then a long descent to the Antelope Valley floor. Next was Hiker Town, more of a commercial affair but caters to thru-hikers with inexpensive lodging, snacks, showers and water. I stopped in, had lunch in a recliner, and cooled off with a couple of Gatorades and a large bowl of ice cream. Several other hikers were there with the same idea. I left late…
Daily Miles: 20.2, Total Miles: 498.8 The morning tradition at the Anderson’s is a pancake breakfast. Joe served me the first two off the griddle since I was first up. The other tradition is a photo of the departing hikers which includes a big surprise. I wouldn’t be giving anything away by saying it involves Terry Anderson and the luna(r) cycle. Terry gave Spoons, Brooke (now Peanut Butter Platypus). Splits, Two Step and myself a ride out to the TH…
Daily Miles: 24.2, Total Miles: 478.6 The PCT goes right through Agua Dulce, so convenient to stop at the Sweetwater Cafe and have a big breakfast. I hiked up two large hills including the “Z” trail out of Agua Dulce. I also enjoyed two water caches, one with soft drinks on ice! Finally got down to a ranger station and road going into Green Valley. I met a local couple who offered the two-mile ride to Casa de Luna, home…
Daily Miles: 10.2, Total Miles: 454.4 I had a leisurely morning drying things out with only ten miles to go today. The KOA manager came out and served me coffee at my picnic table – quite the service for a $5 stay! I then had a nice stroll through colorful Vazquez Rocks with cool rock formations – back in snake country too! Got to Agua Dulce and had a big lunch with Will, Roadrunner and Brooke. I checked into the…
Daily Miles: 25.5, Total Miles: 444.2 I opted to take a ten-mile alternative route up a closed road to Mt Gleason and Messenger Flats to avoid the dreaded poodle dog bushes – a recommendation from the Mill Creek fire crews. On the way, I passed a very well done memorial to two firefighters who lost their lives in the Station Fire. A devastating fire but wildflowers in the next section were the best and most colorful yet. Good views of…
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…
