Tag: PCT

This section of the Pacific Crest Trail has a concentration of three trail angels, and thanks to the Power Fire closure, and the road walk as a result, we walked from Casa de Luna to Hikertown today. The road walk was about 20 miles and we ended up bypassing about 40 miles of the PCT.

The walk did take us into Lake Hughes where hikers can get snacks (and actually resupply) at the small store, or get a meal or room at the Rock Inn. We ate ice cream bars as our second breakfast and walked on. And on and on and on. The road walk got tedious near the end of the day and Deb was happy to see the last of the painted white line on the road.

Hikertown is an interesting place. A little like a movie set. We were assigned the (only) room in the “hotel” which had old film star photos on the walls, an outdoor barbecue/fireplace, and no bathroom. The hiker lounge in the garage does have a kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. We feel spoiled since we have had three showers in four days during our stays with three trail angels.

Photo: Hikertown

Trail Date: Tuesday, May 13th

Mileage: 21ish miles

Today was a nero to Casa de Luna and the Andersons. We were welcomed by Estero with a stack of five fresh cinnamon pancakes and since it was our second breakfast split three of them and passed the remaining ones to the next hiker to arrive. We are delighted to find Peru here too, helping out the Andersons, and have spent an enjoyable day catching up on her adventures.

Hikers have been arriving all day, to a round of applause from the hikers already here. But the numbers have remained constant at about 15 since hikers are departing at various times during day.

The big debate is which of the three alternate detours to walk from here to Hiker town. We plan to the option one road walk on pct.org.

Photo: Camping in the Manzanita Forest.

Trail Date: Monday, May 12th

Mileage: 6.9 miles

We planned an early start and made it out of the RV at 7:15 am. This is still considered early for us. We will have to do better with the heat wave coming in the next few days.

The two climbs to Green Valley (our next stop) were gentle and kind to us. We made good time Hiking almost 17 miles to the Andersons Oasis cache. Wildflowers and cacti are still in full bloom despite the dry conditions.

Photo: A flowering yucca.

Trail Date: Sunday, May 12th

Mileage: 16.8 miles

Today we hiked to Agua Dulce where the Saufley’s, who are trail angels, host hikers in the back yard of their home.

Deb and I were given deluxe accommodations in one of the RVs out back. The small town boasts four eateries and we opted to try three of them for lunch (the cafe), dinner (mexican), and next day’s breakfast (the French bakery). All good. Amazingly our hosts were having a wedding reception the second night of our stay and invited all the hikers to partake of the food, drinks, and music and dance lessons. The hikers provided a card and monetary gift to the wedding couple as a thank you.

Surely an unexpected and delightful stay for us.

Photo: The wedding reception at the Saufley’s.

Trail Date: May 9-10th

Mileage: 16.1 miles

The hike today continued through the 2009 Station Fire burn area and the challenges continued too. More downed trees (Deb is now covered in soot), overgrown shrubs (taller than Deb), and the constant need to be on the lookout for poodle-dog bush.

Fortunately, the poodle-dog bush was mostly avoidable and we are now past the Station Fire.

We got water at the North Forks Ranger Station and continue on a few more miles and are now camped under the stars.

Tomorrow we will reach Agua Dulce, where we plan to take a zero day Saturday.

Photo: The Station Fire burn area.

Trail Date: Thursday, May 8th

Mileage: 20.6 miles

Today the Pacific Crest Trail entered the burn area of the 2009 Station Fire, one of the worst wildfires in recent California history.

At times this made for some difficult hiking. Even though the trail has been cleared of fallen trees, more continue to fall across the trail creating obstacles that hikers have to climb over.

A plant called poodle-dog bush grows in the burn area that causes skin irritation similar to poison oak, so we try not to touch the plant. For the most part the poodle-dog bush was avoidable today.

The burn area will continue tomorrow too.

Photo: Deb climbs over a burned tree blocking the trail.

Trail Date: Wednesday, May 7th

Mileage: 18.1 miles