Tag: PCT

The weather turned cool overnight and stayed cool throughout the day.

We hiked six miles on the Pacific Crest Trail and then walked an alternate route along Highway 2 for 2.7 miles because of the endangered species detour that has been in place for several years. Another alternate route is available that does not involve road walking, but it’s about 20 miles long and some of the trail is not in good condition.

We chased the sunshine all day without catching it for more than a couple of minutes. In the afternoon it began to snow. An inch or so accumulated on the trail and ground.

We passed the 400 mile mark of our hike today.

Photo: Frosty branches near Mount Williamson.

Trail Date: Tuesday, May 6th

Mileage: 17.7 miles

Wright wood is a hiker-friendly little town. The grocery store has a sign welcoming Pacific Crest Trail hikers next to a display of hiker food. The coffee shop gives hikers a free cup of coffee and takes their picture for the store’s photo album. The hardware store has a trail register.

The Pines Motel, where we stayed, gives rides to the trail and we signed up for one at 6:45 am.

Mount Baden-Powell was the highlight of the day. Named after the founder of the Boy Scouts. It was pretty windy on the summit. We had lunch partially sheltered by a gnarled tree and then hiked on to Little Jimmy Trail Camp.

Photo: Deb near the summit of Mount Baden-Powell.

Trail Date: Monday, May 5th

Mileage: 14.6 miles

Today was a nero, as we only hiked 4.9 miles to the Pacific Crest Trail crossing of Highway 2.

We met JJ at the highway and he gave us a ride into town along with Gotta Walk who we met on the trail just a few minutes earlier. Gotta Walk has hiked just about everywhere, including the 5,000 mile American Discovery Trail and the Triple Crown. We all went into town and had a great breakfast.

JJ dropped us off at the Pines Motel, where we cleaned up and resupplied at the local grocery store. We were both still a little tired from yesterday’s climb so we mostly relaxed in our room. We did a little online shopping – Lon is looking very svelte lately and other hikers have been noticing too. He ordered a smaller size of hiking pants. He, of course, attributes his weight loss to Deb eating more than her share of the food.

Photo: The Pines Motel, our home for the night.

Trail Date: Sunday, May 4th

Mileage: 4.9 miles

We got an early (for us) 6 am start as we made the long slow climb up the waterless section of the Pacific Crest Trail to the mountains above Wrightwood.

We had amazing views as we climbed. We could see Cajon Pass below and the thousands of cars speeding along the interstate highway to Los Angeles. We could see San Gorgonio Mountain that we passed on our way to Big Bear and Mount San Jacinto, where we were two weeks ago.

It seemed to take forever to reach the cool shade of the pine trees, especially since we were running a little low on water and had to conserve.

We made it to Guffy Campground around 3:30, tired but happy.

Photo: Deb fills up with water at the end of the day at Guffy Spring

Trail Date: Saturday, May 3rd

Mileage: 16.9 miles

This morning’s hike took us to Cajon Pass, which is where the Pacific Crest Trail passes under Interstate Highway 15. It’s well known by PCT hikers as the location of the only McDonald’s on the trail (well 3/10 mile from the trail, anyway).

We arrived in time for breakfast (Deb’s included a chocolate milkshake – she has been hungry on this leg) and found it pretty good compared to the trail food we have been eating recently. We bought two days of food from the Chevron gas station/mini mart next door and relaxed on the grass in the shade outside for awhile with a dozen or so other hikers. Until the sprinklers turned on soaking everyone and their packs. Actually this bit of trail mischief felt good.

It’s been warm recently and the next 22.5 miles of the PCT have no water and 8,000 feet of climbing up into the mountains near Wrightwood.

We had been debating the best strategy for this section, but naturally chose Deb’s approach which was to depart under the scorching sun during the hottest part of the day with our packs heavily loaded with 5 liters (11 pounds each) of water. She was determined to resist the magnetic pull of the Best Western motel which is also located at Cajon Pass.

Actually, it wasn’t that bad as we took our time on the long hot climb and are now camped 16.9 miles away from the next water. We should be able to reach water tomorrow night, and then have a short (nero) into Wrightwood on Sunday.

PS – We just learned hiker Chris was reunited with his pack and he is now ahead of us on the trail.

Photo: Deb looking down at Cajon Pass

Trail Date: Friday, May 2nd

Mileage: 12.2 miles

Today’s hike was along the shores of the very pretty Silverwood Lake. Flowers were blooming everywhere.

We stopped at the picnic area where we got water and rinsed out some clothes. We had them drying on the picnic tables and a tree limb when a park truck pulls up and the driver walks towards us. We both had the same thought – we were going to be in trouble for having our laundry hanging everywhere. Instead, Cathy hands us two delicious fruit cups and tells us to have a lovely day.

We hiked another seven miles of the Pacific Crest Trail to a lovely camp spot, where a quail has been scolding us for the last two hours because we apparently invaded her space.

Deb just saw her second shooting star of the hike.

Photo: Silverwood Lake

Trail Date: Thursday, May 1st

Mileage: 17.6 miles