Month: May 2018

PCT 2018 Day 18, May 10, Thursday.

Start mile 400

End mile 429.2, under a tall pine

Miles walked: 29.2

Here is a cone from Coulter Pine. The path is white sandy soil, like crushed limestone. The ecozone keeps switching, starting as tall mixed conifer, going to low oak, to high desert shrubs, to old burn, to pines spaced far apart, then randomly alternating each mile. From the small spring near where I camped, the next sure water source is 18 miles away at a faucet at Mill Creek Fire Station, and a line of hikers wait their turn to fill up. Up high on ridges, now around 5.5k elevation, one can make out how the coastal range shifts directions.

PCT 2018 Day 17, May 9, Wednesday.

Start mile 375.8, campsite near Lamel Spring

End mile 400

Miles walked: 24.2

Steep switchbacks lead to the summit of Mount Baden Powell, 9399 feet, named for the founder of the Boy Scouts.

The route stays near the top of ridge and saddle for several miles, rewarding with views. Going down a trail I meet at least 40 people coming the other way, a group from Korea Town in Los Angeles out for a day hike. One person tells me that someone further back in line will give me cucumbers, and, yes, someone gives me a bag even though I try to take just one, then another person later down the line also tries to give me cukes but I show my bag.

These baby cukes do taste like they were picked this morning. I am guessing that members of the club knew they would meet PCT hikers and decided to bring gifts. Later I see the group again taking a picnic after their hike.

Four other hikers were talking with them, Tortoise, First Bird, Irish, and GPSy (pronounced gypsy). Mile 390 to mile 394 of the trail is closed to protect an endangered species, the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog. A couple of routes around the closure are available. My choice involved a 2 mile road-walk. At Buckhorn Campground, on the closure route, I meet the group of four hikers again, taking an afternoon break. I sit and chat a while, then move on. Later I see a couple of them again, and we are walking near each other, but they somehow disappeared at one point.

Steep switchbacks late in the day are draining my energy, so the 400 point marked in pine cones seems like a good place to stop.

Finished audiobook Captain Blood, by Rafael Sabatini

PCT 2018 Day 16, May 8, Tuesday.

Start mile 349.0, campsite on ridge climbing up from Swarthout Canyon Road

End mile 375.8, campsite near Lamel Spring

Miles walked: 26.8

After miles of steady climb, under a fierce sun, little shade, with no nearby water sources, I cross a road just at the top of a ridge, and Rodeo is there giving out lemonade poured over ice, with orange slices as garnish. She also offered anyone water, apples, and sports drink. Wow. Now I am able to survive through the afternoon. Terrain is desert shrub or recent burn, neither offering shade. At a highway crossing is the next town, Wrightwood, a hiker favorite. It has not been that many hours since I had town food, so my plan is to go into town, look around, resupply as needed, and return in one hour. Almost immediately a van stops and gives me and two other hikers a ride, where 3 large dogs are excited to meet us. In town, the grocery store has shaded tables in front, useful for hikers packaging meals. Inside, so many hiker favorites for meals are on store shelves. Down a couple of buildings is the hardware store, which keeps a hiker box and list of trail angels. Some angels offer rooms for the night, and others offer rides to and from the trail. A modest amount of traffic on main street is a welcome change from some previous towns. Shops are close together, easily walkable on foot. After an hour I have snacked and gotten any necessary supplies. Hitching was a little slow, so I was getting ready to call trail angels, when angel Sue arrives to give another hiker a home for the night, and offers me a ride up to the trail. She stops to pick up another hiker hitching, Shindig, who I had been talking with at the grocery. Back on trail, I hike a few more hours of steady climb in forest, to a water source and flat spot bigs enough for one small tent for one weary traveler.

Kudos to Wrightwood.