It's been a great day. I got my resupply boxes sorted out. I rested. I iced my feet & tendon. I'm feeling good now. It's been another reunion day as hiker friends came in, including Hee Haw & Malpractice. I was happy to see them, especially since Malpractice has been having feet trouble. Atlas, a hiker who started with me & who I haven't seen since day 3 showed up. He rented a car and has been shuttling hikers to/from the trail. We bought some water after dinner and cached it up trail. Otherwise we'd have to carry 25 steep miles worth of water. I'm excited to be in range of the Sierras. In catching up to my itinerary too. I've been 3 days behind but should get to Kennedy Meadows at planned time.
One thing that is really cool about the trail is how hikers really look out for each other. Good people, hikers. A funny note, we walked over a mile and a half on roads to the post office this morning. Only to discover we could have taken a short cut across the grass and railroad tracks making it 3/4 of a mile instead. Guess which way we walked back? Yes I can walk 30 miles on the trail, but one mile in town? Ride please!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tehachapi Zero
Memorial Day, mile 549 - 558
Tehachapi! I saw lots of windmills today. There was also a large burn area. We've 2 adjoining rooms with 7 hikers crammed in. It's quite the little party. The two hikers in my room I just met. One is mouse. His base pack weight is 6lbs. He started the trail in May & is flying, doing 30 - 40 mile days. Both are hiking out early.
Everyone has been talking about their Sierra plans. Do I take an ice axe? Microspikes? Where are you resupplying? Climbing Mt Whitney? Changing shoes? And on and on. I'm finalizing my own plans and strategy cause the next stop is Kennedy Meadows. There are a lot of Brooks Cascadia Trail runners being worn this year. It's the shoes I wear. I'm happy with them.
I ate at the Great Wall for dinner. It's an all you can eat Chinese buffet. Perfect for hungry hikers. The town of Tehachapi is small and spread out, up in the foothills. Just 22 miles away is Mojave on the desert floor. The PCT passes through the middle, between the two.
I'm happy to get some rest. The tendon was better today but I still think rest and ice is good for it. I'm also happy that I haven't lost anymore weight. Ive been maintaining my normal weight.
Imagine coming across a shower in the desert wilderness. This picture is of Argentina pretending to wash under it.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Mile 523 - Mile 549.5
Today I crossed the Mojave desert section of the PCT. It was lots of dirt road walking alongside the LA aqueduct. This area is very windy and so there are a lot of wind farms with their tall white windmills. We finally left the aqueduct behind and headed up into the Tehachapi foothills. I am so lucky! I could not have timed it better. There wasn't much wind blowing sand around, the temperature was in the high 70s, and so I was able to hike through the afternoon. It was easier than the start from Campo. In fact when I stopped in Tyler Horse canyon for lunch I got cold. And this is the Mojave! I hiked today with Argentina and Moss. Moss is a girl from Massachusetts. I also caught up to Easy Miles, but he's on a different schedule now and wanting some solitude. I've been feeling the need for some solitude myself. I need Lisa time. Or should I say Black Hawk time. I'm also really feeling the need for a full zero day with no hiking. My body is sore and tired, including my left Achilles tendon. I want to be strong when I get to the Sierras and Tehacapi is the last town stop prior to Kennedy Meadows. I'm really happy to be hiking with good people. The plans are to rendezvous in Tehachapi with Easy Miles.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Mile 503 - 523
Brr. I woke up to cold. My energy bars and the water in my drinking tube were frozen. I hiked out with every bit of clothing on. I even put my sleep socks over top my polartec gloves.
At mile 518 there is another rest stop for hikers called hiker town. It's made up of several buildings styled like an old time village. A lounge area with shower & kitchen is set up in a garage. There were puppies everywhere. They were cute. I was excited to get here because I had plans to meet friends Karen & Barry Drake. It worked out too! We drove into Lancaster and went to In & Out Burger. They took me to a pharmacy too so I could get eye drops. I have a red right eye but I don't think its an infection. It was so nice to spend time with friends on this holiday weekend. We had fun catching up. After they left I hiked on for another 5 miles. Easy Miles left earlier so I'm on my own again. However I'm camping here with Argentina. I've been having trouble with my trekking poles and they are essential for setting up my tent. Last night was kind of the last straw cause I was freezing, it was starting to snow & get dark, and I needed to get my tent up quickly. I couldn't get it up til I fixed my pole. So, thanks sis Karin for ordering new ones for me!
Mile 478 Andersons - 503
What a day! Got up at the crack of dawn & made tracks. We stopped at a coffee shop for coffee & tea, then hitched to the trail. It rained during the night and was cold, windy & misty when we got up. The cooler temps allowed us to hike faster and all day which was awesome.
This memorial weekend there are two big events happening. One is my Aunt Sally's 80th birthday. To celebrate my family is having a big reunion in Bowling Green, KY. I wish I could be there. Happy Birthday Sally, I love you! The second event is the annual Fresno United Country Western Dance Council and West Coast Swing dance event and competition. It's put on by Steve Zener, who does a fantastic job. I have a lot of friends there, and one of them, Darlene Dubert, is competing. She is competing Pro Am Intermediate with dance instructor extraordinaire Mike Eads. I know she'll do great.
Well it has been cold & windy all day and it is currently snowing. It's snowing on my tent!
We hit a big milestone today and to celebrate we made a little video.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Mile 459 - 478 The Andersons
Trail Angels Joe and Terri Anderson host hikers at their home 'Casa de Luna' otherwise known as 'Hippie Daycare.'. We got a glimpse of what we would find at their home when we came to the water cache they maintain 8 miles from their home. It was in some shady trees with a pink flamingo, inflated skeleton, a Frankenstein, & fake palm trees. There was water and soda in the cache. It was interesting on the hike over how one minute I'd be in dry, hot, desert conditions and the next be in a mini eco system of lush grasses, trees, and shrubs. We got a ride for the two miles to the Andersons from the trail. Once here we were greeted with clapping from hikers already here. There is a lounge area in the front yard with chairs, a charging station, rock painting, hoola hoops and more Camping is in a Manzanita grove in the backyard. The grove is huge and there are a lot of spots to set up camp. Don't let me forget the Hawaiian shirts. There's a pile of them and everyone is wearing one. Didn't I say yesterday we were a traveling gypsy camp? It really feels like it here. For dinner Terri will be making her famous taco salad. There will be games too. I'm hiking out early though. It's supposed to be cool and drizzly tomorrow and I want to take advantage of it to get some big miles in. I'm looking forward to possibly meeting friends in Lancaster and Tehachapi.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Agua Dulce mile 454 - 459
I know, what a lazy day! 5 miles? Really? But the guys I'm hiking with had errands, and I didn't want to hike in the heat. Although its supposed to get windy and that cold front is coming through. So these next few days might not be too bad. The little group of hikers who have been ahead or behind me & camp with are: Argentina on his 7th PCT hike, Hee Haw the musician from Maine, Malpractice from Minnesota, Gnu from Japan, Rian, Brian, Dave, Dancing Feet, Power Nap, Fig groom Maine, and of course Easy Miles from Oregon. We're a traveling gypsy camp. Here are some pictures of Hiker Heaven. It was a great rest stop but I'm glad to be back on trail. Camped on a ridge with a beautiful view.
North Fork Ranger Station - Hiker Heaven Agua Dulce, Mile 354
Another section done. Section D is finished. There's not a lot to say about Monday. I can't believe how fast time is passing. It's May 22 and I've hiked over 400 miles! The guide book said the next 20 miles would be hot and exposed, so we got up at 4 and were hiking before 5. The first 8 were up and down and it was already getting hot at 7. We stopped at a KOA for a cold soda which was quite refreshing. It was a wonderful spot but we didn't linger as we wanted to beat as much heat as possible. It was a good effort but the last 5 miles were mid day and I staggered into town. Nothing that an air conditioned cafe couldn't fix though. Agua Dulce is home to Vasquez Rocks County Park. These rock slabs are reddish brown and tower above. They form small canyons with lots of small shrubs, trees, and desert plants like Mormon tea. There were signs identifying the different greenery.
I'm staying at Hiker Heaven. It is a trail angels home. They have turned their backyard into a small encampment with cots and large canopies. There's a trailer in back too with a kitchen, shower, living room area. They have horses too. It's a nice place. We are planning on hiking out tomorrow evening around 430. No more hot desert hiking in mid day for this girl! There will be four of us: Easy Miles, That Guy, Gnu, and me.
Monday, May 21, 2012
411 - 436
Section D is for Detour. First there was the endangered species detour, then the old station fire detour, and finally the poodle dog bush detour. It's been a lot of road walking. The old station fire was a huge fire that happened in 2009. A couple of firefighters died. There was a memorial for them on a closed road outside of a gutted camp. It was very eerie walking through there. It was a ten mile uphill walk on hot pavement to avoid the pd bush. So we stopped for an afternoon siesta at a campground. I was lying on the ground listening to my ipod shuffle when a really good waltz song came on. It was 'The Flower That Shatters the Stone.' I tried to resist, but couldn't. The urge was too great. I got up and danced. I tried to remember my waltz choreography but only managed the first phrase. It felt great. I love to dance.
We hiked another 6 miles after that for a 24.5 mile day. It is cool how I can be on a ridge and in one side is the brown desert, and on the other green mountains. We are camping at the North Fork Ranger station. Weather forecast is for colder temperatures timed to arrive when I get to the Mojave desert. Is that great timing or what?!
Well I took a picture of Poodle Dog Bush to post but it is missing. Oh well.
Mile 396 - 411
400 mile mark came & went. I've been on trail now for 4.5 weeks. Today was a lazy day. I slept in til 615, made tea, ate breakfast in camp & didn't start hiking till 820. The trail has been crisscrossing hwy 2 for awhile and the guidebook said there was a restaurant a mile and a half down the rd. So for 8 miles this morning Easy Miles and I were should we or shouldn't we? Finally we decided to go for it. Not just for the hot meal but also for the experience of it. If no one picked us up in 15 min we'd just keep hiking. We got a ride after 10 min from a day hiker. The food was delicious. There's something about grilled Ortega Chiles that just makes a sandwich great. We celebrated passing 400. While finishing up, in walked Rian and Brian. We've been leap frogging each other for awhile. The trail can be funny this way. Now the problem facing us was a ride back to the trail and it turned out to be quite an adventure. First I yogi'd a ride from a gentleman with a 1957 Volkswagen Beetle. It was a dead ringer for Herbie. We got maybe a quarter of a mile up the hill when the engine quit. We had to turn it around, push it a bit til it started rolling back downhill, then coast back to Newcoms Ranch. By this time our hiker friends had finished eating and were also looking for a ride. There was a couple getting ready to leave so I went over to see if they were heading our direction. They weren't, but what nice people! They're from Florida near Anna Maria Island where my family goes every year. My parents live in Lakeland, FL. After talking a bit and sharing my adventure with them, they said they could give us a ride. Yay. So we loaded up and I hear a shout, 'Helicopter!' 'Blackhawk!'. Wouldn't you know it was some people from the campground last night who shared there campfire with us. That was awesome.
We hiked another 8 miles after that. There was a cache of fruit for PCT hikers. We weren't hungry but we took some grapes and an apple for later. It's hard to get fresh fruit. Yummy. So, kind of a lazy day, but after all of that uphill hiking the last two days, some of it quite steep, we needed a bit of a break. Tomorrow were getting up super early to try and get big miles in. There is more detours and poodle dog boogying ahead.
In case it doesn't show up well, the picture is the #400 made out of sticks.
A side note, I saw Brian and Rian later in camp. They said the couple that gave us a ride, stopped and gave them one too. So if you read this FL couple, Thank You for being our trail angels today!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Mile 377 - 396
It was the day of the toad and boy scouts. It's the endangered yellow toad. A portion of the PCT is closed for this toad so we had to take a detour that involved road walking the Angeles Crest hwy 2 for 2.7 miles. Total miles today is 22. There were also hundreds of boy scouts on the trail. They spilled out of campgrounds and snaked down the trail. And more kept coming! What a great day it was though. First thing this morning we summited Mt Baden Powell, the highest mountain in southern California. So awesome up there! As I hiked today I tried to soak it all in & think about how I would describe it. There's the humming birds who zoom straight up, hover, than zoom down again. The trees are a blend of skinny, fat, tall and short. Some of the trees have had their bark stripped from them leaving them bleached white in the sun. What bark remains is charcoal. There's the squirrels running about and the bird who's song is like a donkeys bray. The sky looks bluer than usual due to its contrast with the pines. I love being up high in the mountains. But it was another day of up, up, and more up.
We caught up with Dancing Feet, a girl from Hawaii. I hadn't seen her since Julian so it was fun to catch up. The trail is truly a social experience. But I expect once we get further north it will be less so.
Were camping tonight at Cooper Canyon trail camp. And guess what? It's full of boy scouts. There is room though and I set up my tent for the first time in two weeks. I like my tent. It's cozy.
By the way, I really enjoy the comments I get that readers post. It makes me feel connected. So keep em comin! I expect to get to Agua Dulce sometime on Tues.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Mile 357 - 377
I have come through my close encounter with poodle dog bush unscathed. No rash has appeared. My feet are doing great too. They don't hurt anymore and after 2 days of hiking I have no new blisters. So yay for my new shoes.
I am now hiking in the Angeles Forest. This morning the sunrise was beautiful and I could look down into the cloud covered valley below. I really like being back up high and in the trees. I hiked again with Hee Haw and Clark Kent, and Easy Miles. Clark Kents name has been changed to Malpractice. Hee Haw and Malpractice went down to Wrightwood to resupply. So now its just Easy Miles and I again. We only did 20 miles today. We had time to go further, but there were no places ahead to camp. We are camped a mile from Mt Baden Powell, another infamous mountain. In wetter years snow can be a real issue on it. The sun is setting and its a gorgeous one.
Cajon Pass - 357
There is a lawyer, a pilot, a doctor and a musician in a hotel room... Has to be a joke in that somewhere. How does it finish? Well Clark Kent and Hee Haw took off. Easy Miles and I had to go to the post office to mail boxes and return the rental car. We got back to hiking at 1045. Section D begins. And its 21 miles of up, a calf burner for sure but nothing like what we had before Idyllwild. We made it 15 miles. There was a water cache amongst shady trees that made a good rest and lunch stop. And we caught up with Hee Haw and Clark! So funny, we saw them ahead and snuck up on them.
Today was the day of the Poodle Dog dance. It's worse than poison ivy and was really thick. Trying to get through really was an exercise in twisting, turning, and a sideways shuffle. Put your left pole in and your right pole in, do the poodle shuffle and shake it all around... I joke but I was totally freaked out by it. Silly really. When we got through it, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Fortunately we were almost to camp and I have great hiking partners. They made me laugh. So a quick camp set up, clean up, cook dinner, check maps and water for the next day, blog, then bed. Elevation gain today, 4000 feet.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
PS
California Section C is now complete. Starting D in the morning. Just about halfway to the Sierras.
Mile 335 - 342 Cajon Pass
I went to sleep last night with Hee Haws music in my ears and woke up feeling good. My feet hurt, but with only 7 miles to go and food waiting, I didn't mind. I took the time to make tea, only to spill it trying to save a long legged bug.
It's so much fun hiking with Clark Kent (Minnesota) & Hee Haw! We laugh, joke, tell stories, and this morning make up songs about food.
We were hiking to where there was Subway, McDonalds, Del Taco. Normally I don't like fast food bit burning 4000+ calories a day makes everything look good. It's liberating being able to eat as much as I want and more.
Clark Kent was walking behind me and said I walk the way the 'experts' say to walk, by toe striking first and smaller steps. He said I move fast without looking like I'm walking fast. He wanted to know where I learned it, if it was natural or if I had to think about it. Well I had no idea I had good form, I just walk. But after thinking about it, the lightbulb went on. Dance lessons! All that work on being forward weighted and over my center and balanced paid off. Thanks Mike Eads! You didn't realize you were teaching me how to backpack now did you?!
When we got to I15 there was a trail sign 'McDonalds .4 miles' and an arrow. We laughed so hard. We ate breakfast at McDs. It was 930 and guess who showed up? Easy Miles! I caught up to him. He'd gotten in last night. The 4 of us are splitting a suite at the Best Western. It has 3 beds and a pullout. We rented a car and drove 20 minutes to an REI. So awesome. I got shoes! I got the same Brooks Cascadia bit I went up to a size 8. The shoe lady said they were short for the sizing. My old shoes were size 7. My normal size is 6. Ahh, so nice, happy happy feet.
I did the usual shower and laundry show, and got my resupply boxes and a care package from my sis Karin. Yay!
Now a little hot tub, pool, more food. Sigh of bliss and contentment and I will be ready to hike now that I have shoes.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
315 - 336
I woke up tired and sore. My blisters are not doing well. So I took it slow and easy today. I caught up with Minnesota (hiker who helped me in the desert) & Justin (hiker who named me Black Hawk Down). So I hiked with them. We took a 2 Hr break at Silverwood lake. It's a state park so there were picnic tables, toilets, trash cans, and the lake. I went swimming! I washed all my dirty socks. And I rested my feet which are on fire. I need new shoes. I don't think I can wait for the shoes sent me in my next resupply box in Agua Dulce. So I'm going to call a trail angel when I get to Cajon pass tomorrow for help getting shoes. Ugh.
It was a great day though and I really enjoyed hiking with Justin & Minnesota. Justin is also the guitar player who sang us all to sleep a few weeks ago. He has a carbon fiber guitar. Here's some pics from the day.
285 - 315
I woke up this morning at 5am. It was cold! So I got dressed inside my sleeping bag, delaying the inevitable as long as possible. Finally I got going and packed up my things. Sleeping bag first then stuff the rest. Today was going to be a big day. My plan was to push myself a little and see how far I could go. I had studied the map and water report the night before so I had a good idea what was ahead. After eating my power bar I was off. By ten am I had reached Deep Creek at 13 miles and stpped for lunch. I soaked my feet in the cold creek, put fresh dry socks on and hiked on. By 130 I had hiked 20 miles and took a short break at Willow Creek to tape up a hotspot on my foot, refill my water bottle, and soak my hat in the water to cool my head. The Deep Creek hot springs are at mile 308 and a popular spot. There were a lot of naked people running around so I kept going, and going, and going. Where was the water at Deep Creek Ford? Finally I got to it, but then where was the trail on the otherside? While searching around, Argentina showed up and informed me there was trail magic ahead. Suddenly I was transformed, no longer tired I pressed on with him. Sure enough, hot dogs, potato salad, soda, chips, cookies and more. I was so hungry. I ate it all. I looked at my gps and saw I'd hiked 29.1 so instead of stopping I went .9 more to make it 30.
So that was my big day. Now after setting up camp and washing off the grime with wet wipes, I'm sitting here on a rock in a canyon watching the sunset while I type this blog. Goodnight.
Oh I almost forgot - I saw a duck, a pika, and a red fox!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Mile 266 - 285
Back on the trail. It feels good to get going. I'm hiking with Backup and Fig. Backup just graduated from college, Fig is 66 and retired. We got to the trail at 7 am and before we knew it, we'd done 10 miles so we stopped for lunch and a sock change. There were some great views of the lake and Big Bear. The trail is easy today and should continue tomorrow to be mostly level. Typically I try to walk 4 hours in the morning before taking a break. The rule ten before ten is the goal. If I start at 6 this is possible. After lunch I'll hike another 2-3 hours before the next break. As it gets hotter and I get tired I need more breaks. I like to get to camp by 6 pm. However I've been experimenting with stopping at 4, cooking dinner, cleaning up and resting and then hike a few more miles til dark. Then all I have to do is set up my tent or cowgirl camp spot and go to bed.
Today we stopped for camp early at 330 but we'd done 20 miles already. While sitting here fixing dinner a guy walks up with no pack and says "hey I have a truck on the road and there's watermelon, drinks, and donuts. Come on down." I didn't have to be asked twice. I jumped up and went down. There were 6 people having a picnic with a friend who is hiking the trail. Her name is Adriana and all of them work at an outdoor school near Big Bear.
I love this trail and the trail community. Here are pictures of Fig, the lake, and the trail magic.
Heather and Monkey showed up in camp and Monkey ran over and gave me and Backup a flower. What a cool kid.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Big Bear 2
I had a wonderful visit with my friend Michelle. It had been about 2 years since I had seen her so we had a lot to catch up on. So awesome.
I decided to stay another night. It was mid day and hot, I had a full tummy, and I confess I was feeling lazy. It turned out to be a good decision because I have plans now to hike out early Sunday with Backup. I like her and she is a strong hiker in spite of the shin splints. Easy Miles left this morning. I will miss him. We hiked 165 miles together!
I needed some alone time so I walked down to the Big Bear City airport. They were having a fly in. I've missed flying and planes. I'm sitting in the airport restaurant facing the runway and watching the planes takeoff and land.
All is well.
Big Bear
Zero Days are so nice. Not just for the rest, but also for the social part. You get to see other hikers, some who you haven't seen for awhile, and catch up. Backup made it into town today. I was happy to see her as I had felt bad leaving her behind and alone. Her shin splints ate doing a lot better.
I went crazy at the grocery store and bought a bunch of veggies and lettuce blends, spinach, cheese, cooked chicken strips, and dressing. I made a huge salad with it & had a salad party outside my room. Everyone devoured it, it was awesome. I found out that the animal cages on the trail are for animals used in movies. They have other animals besides the bears. Their animals were used In the recent movie "we bought a zoo."
I've a tenth of the trail completed. Repeat for 9 more times & I'm in Canada.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Mile 242 - 266 Big Bear City
24 miles! A first. Made it to Big Bear City. The trail was easy walking, nothing steep so we made good time. It amazes me though how in one day of walking I can go from the desert heat to the mountain cold. I had to wear all my layers while breaking camp this morning. The trail went through pine forest, back into high desert, then back into forest. And I saw not one, but two grizzly bears! They were in cages near the trail at a ranch. I've been in good spirits. It was such a nice day to be walking, the views were as awesome as ever, & the temp was cool. I made Easy Miles stop at an overlook and yell really loud with me. Coming into town we got a ride by a really nice lady named Lori. She dropped us at the Nature Inn and I saw Power Nap, Bobcat, & LB again. That was great. The inn was full so we came down to the motel 6. I had a yummy burrito for dinner. So Friday I will zero here & get errands done. Sat at 10 am my friend Michelle is coming out. She's going to hike a few miles with me.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wed mile 226 - 242
I met a mother daughter team today. Heather and Monkey are from Bishop, CA. Monkey is 8. She loves pink, carries a stuffed monkey, & is very talkative and energetic. I'm impressed. We got back into the San Bernardino forest and left the desert behind. I like the pine trees a lot better than the scrub brush. I'm hoping to make it to Big Bear City Thursday night. It will mean hiking 24 miles tomorrow but it looks like it will be easy trail. My friends the Hansens are going to meet me there. Really excited about that.
Easy Miles keeps losing stuff. Yesterday he lost a bag full of items, today he lost his knife. He's got a good attitude about it but will have to replace it. I discover a new blister every time I take my socks off. So I'm going shoe shopping in Big Bear. Cowgirl camping again - the moon has been so bright at night its been waking me up. It's pretty cool though.
We met a hiker who is quitting the trail. He had just reached his limit & was done. Quite a few hikers have quit for various reasons. Easy Miles & I made a pact that if either one of us feels like quitting we will call the other person first.
Tuesday Mile 212 - 226
Today Easy Miles & I were joined by Backup. I hadn't seen her since before Julian. She developed shin splints & could no longer keep up with her friends Buster & Grit. It was fun having her along. We entered the San Gorgonio Wilderness area. These mountains are different than the Jacintos. There are no pine trees. Just shades of brown with dots of green. The highlight of the day was the Whitewater preserve. It's a fish hatchery and park. There were picnic tables & shady trees. I had been feeling really fatigued so I took a nap. But the best was the pool of water built from the nearby river. We sat & laid in it. So great all that cold water in the heat of the day. It's these little miracles that spur me along. So great. We left Backup there. She is keeping her mileage low for now. Easy Miles & I hiked on another 8 miles to camp near Mission creek.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Mile 191-Ziggy & the Bear 211
It took 15 miles & 8000 feet of elevation loss to get to the desert floor. Then another 5 miles of postholing through hot desert sand. By the time I got to the I 10 underpass I was beat up, tired, & thirsty. There was trail magic there! 3 coolers of soda, water, & beer. I was so happy. A can of Pepsi never tasted so good. Another mile after the bridge brought us to trail angels Ziggy & the Bear. They came out of the house with a foot bath of hot water % Epson salt. Later on there was a salad & icecream. It's unbelievable. This couple are older, & have been helping hikers for years. I got my 2nd resupply box & they're mailing a bounce box to Big Bear for me. They rock! Two more milestones today - I hit the 200 mile mark & finished section B.
178.6 Saddle Junction - 191 Black Mountain rd.
Today was a very leisurely day. Hiked slow, took lots of pictures, had lunch on a rocky outcropping, & did 15 miles. We successfully crossed the infamous Fuller Ridge. No problems. There were a lot of snow fields to cross but most of them didnt last long. Since it was afternoon it had gotten slushy so mo ice. It snowed on us! So crazy. Today snow, tomorrow desert again. I've renamed Photo Finish. He's Easy Miles now. It fits. In camp tonight there are probably 10 other hikers so I enjoyed talking with them. Here are a few pictures. One is of Easy Miles.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Zero Day in Idyllwild
I sure needed this zero. Idyllwild is a cool mountain town that welcomes hikers. Everywhere around town are signs that say 'welcome PCT hikers' and businesses give us discounts. San Jacinto state park is here. There is world class rock climbing and of course great hiking.
It's nice to have clean clothes again. Water is scarce on the trail and can't be wasted on washing either me or my clothes. I'm glad I have wet wipes! So after days on the trail, I stink! And my clothes get filthy. Which is why we are called 'hiker trash.'
I doctored my chafed hips and blistered toes and I bought toe socks. Hopefully this will help my feet. The chafing has been resolved by making some adjustments in my pack. Photo Finish and I will head out tomorrow (Sunday, May 6) and plan to continue hiking together at least as far as Big Bear. It's good to have a partner as there are some tricky passes ahead with snow.
162.3 - 178.6. PCT, Devils Slide Trail
Idyllwild! Shower. Pizza. Bed. It's Friday night & I've spent 6 consecutive days on trail. The most Ive ever done. What a hard, hard, hard but great day. The trail today was 90% up, up, up. Some parts were steep, rocky, & exposed while others were covered with soft pine needles. But always up. My calves were burning. Then one section I came to had a rock wall towering above me on my left and a sheer drop off to my right. I had to be careful I didn't trip or slip here. I encountered my first snow. Large patches covered the trail. You just have to follow the footprints, posthole through, and the trail would soon reappear. This is the San Jocinto Wilderness & San Bernardino National Forest. And the views have been incredible. Sometimes steep canyons green with trees or the brown vastness of the desert in the distance, or a bright blue lake far below. I'm still hiking with Photo Finish & its working out well. On level or downhill trail I lead as I'm faster. On uphill sections he leads as I'm a snail going up. So we had hoped to get to Idyllwild by 5 before the PO closes as we both have bounce boxes to pick up. But we didn't make it. The terrain slowed us down & we did another 20 mile total day. The Devils Slide Trail into town is 2.5 miles. So hopefully we can get them Saturday. A trail angel knows the postman. Here's a couple pics.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Thu May 3, mile 144 - 162.6
We lost Moonshine yesterday. She didn't show up in camp & we were concerned. So we were VERY happy to see her this morning on hwy 74 walking back to the trail from Paradise Valley Cafe. The cafe is a mile off trail on the way to Idyllwild. Thoughts of a huge breakfast hurried our feet the 8 miles to it. The plan was to hitch into town. But after a delicious breakfast, feeling revived, and it being a beautiful day, we decided to hike on. Our first 20 mile day! 18 trail miles & 2 off trail miles. Tomorrow evening we'll make it to Idyllwild via a short side trail. I'm proud of us for putting off a shower & laundry for 2 more days.
We hiked a lot more up and entered the mountains. No more desert! Just cold, windy nights now. I want to talk about food. I'm not eating enough & I've lost weight. I will do better. I'm happy to report that my first home dehydrated meal was delicious. It wasn't spoiled. I had a simple dinner one night of rice, black pepper and a wedge of laughing cow cheese mixed in. For energy Ive found dried mango works great. And Jelly Belly energy beans are awesome! Thanks to Darlene, Mike, & Cassie for sending them to me. Camped tonight in a beautiful shaded spot by a spring.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
127.1 - 144
It was windy last night at Mike's ranch and I woke up to blowing mist & clouds. I got off to a rough start. Most of my water leaked out, I forgot my trekking poles & had to run back for them, my filter broke, I couldn't find the water tank to refill, and Moonshine & Photo Finish took off. Needless to say as I hiked up the mountain in my raingear after finally getting it together, I was upset. I had my first big cry. But then I topped the ridge of combs peak & I saw blue sky! I was above the clouds. This is what I saw. Beautiful. I was smiling again. I soon caught up to my hiking partners & all is well. We did another 17 miles today! We're camping on a beautiful ridge in a boulder field. The boulders & trees block the wind & the ground is sandy & soft. Best campsite yet! Can't find the picture. So instead here is a picture of a water cache.