Big Bear to Wrightwood

I got into big bear just in time to miss a snow storm. It was nice to stay at the Nature's Inn instead of 4in of snow and 70mph wind gusts.

The Donut Shop by the laundry mat not only had amazing maple frosting donuts, but also had pretty amazing biscuits and gravy. It was easy to get from Big Bear City to the larger Big Bear Lake by bus.

Headed out from town I saw this amazing view coming into Little Bear Springs Campsites (cold and windy) after the crossing of Cougar Crest Trail. Look at them mountains. 

 The trail continues to Splinters Cabin area which has some pretty gorgeous views of Deep Creek. The trail follows the creek for many miles, it even heads to a hot springs. Get ready for lots of wang and a boy who lives there in a leaf thong who goes by Tarzan...i'm not joking. Despite the weirdness, the springs were relaxing and good for tired knees. We got lucky enough to have an empty spring area we could claim as the PCT section away from local drama. It was also a nice change of pace to relax and swim that day.

Leaving the hot springs, there was a bit of excitement after the rainbow bridge. A man got stung by something, had an adverse reaction and passed out. My friend ran to the hot springs to see if anyone could help, one person had a satellite phone and called for help. When the guy came to and could walk, we helped him hike out to the ambulance. This happened right near the spillway.

He emailed me and said that everything is ok. We are all relieved everything worked out fine in the end.

The hike around Silverwood Lake was beautiful and the hike to Cajon Pass was unreal. 

We all met up at the McDonald's on I-15 and ate some food. We also all got dumb after eating that crap. Some people even had to take a nero; that food makes you slow. I went with fries and a McFlury. That went down fine, but then later I added a chicken sandwich and that hit me with laziness.

I had heard the climb 5 miles out from McDonalds was long and hot so I did it at night. Rolled out of Cajon Pass around 4, got to the top and to a flat spot after the jeep road just after dark. That made the climb pretty easy. It's amazing what not having the full power of the sun will do.

The rest of the up and around until Hwy 2 was beautiful. Guffy Campground had good water and as long as you tucked yourself out of the wind, a good soft bed. I love pine trees, their needles make for the best sleeping.

Wrightwood is the most hiker friendly town yet. It is small, walkable, jolly, and Cinnamon's Bakery has the best sandwiches ever. Don't let the name fool you, they do have good pastries and muffins but there is a guy there named Steven who takes meals, like BBQ pork, coleslaw, and cornbread, and bakes them between two tortillas to make a pocket. I wish everyone could eat one, so  good, I'm still dreaming about going back for one. Aside from that there are some awesome trail angel's there. Wendi really pulled some strings to find a ride for a friend and I to get back to the trail. It was a great experience. 

PS. The Pines Motel is cheapest, very convenient, and will do your laundry for you. 

Idyllwild to Big Bear

Coming out of Idyllwild refreshed and with new shoes (switched to Salomon XR Missions), I headed up several thousand feet from town. I wanted to summit San Jacinto and even though it was cloudy, it was very worthwhile. 

The sky cleared over patches of sky allowing me to see the desert down below. After the peak it is a down hill, a very long 21 miles of nothing but down hill.

The group I am hiking with decided to break it up into two days so we could give our knees a break. That meant a dry camp off of Fuller Ridge. It was a brutal next day of exposed terrain with no water. Some of the people ran out before they got to the water fountain below. The benefits of hiking with a group are you can always scrape together some water so we all donated a little and got them to water thirsty but alright.

The views were gorgeous. Exposed could be PCT code for the best views you can get. I knew it would be beautiful, but this is beyond what I expected. 

I stopped at Ziggy and the Bears for a Gatorade, coffee, water, and to sign in the log. I am hiker #222. The section from the wind mill farm to first mission creek campsite was reminiscent of the Sound of Music. I can't even explain how nice it was to see that much running water in one day. 

The campsite above Mission Creek was cold. I'm glad I had my 15D bag. The next day I camped right before my personal record for the farthest I have walked. Then the next day walking into Big Bear, I passed my record with some amazing views as prizes.

I got into Big Bear just before the snow storm and waited it out in town with fresh donuts. Yum.

From Campo to Idyllwild

Everyone had told me that the hill up to Lake Morena was the first PCT challenge. I didn't find the climb all that hard, but 20 miles in the first day is no joke. I got into the campground and pretty much collapsed with all my new found friends. No one thought the first day was easy. It's the first day of big sun and desert heat. 

I loved taking an afternoon rest under a tree and then walking a bit and coming to the hill. The area had some beautiful yucca plants that were flowering and the wind was sweet with sage. 

The next day coming out of Lake Morena I followed a crew of turkey's. Two males were all fanned out and showing their feathers. There were a lot of bunnies in this area too.

All the climbs were long, I feel like the PCT is an endurance race. It's not as steep as east coast hiking but there also is no goal in sight. You hike up a moutain and down a mountain on the AT, but on the PCT you meander for long distances. It is a different head game.

The views are what surprised me the most. Everyone told me it was the most scenic but no one described to me how literally ever mile was gorgeous. The heat, sun, and water are tiring but I can't be sad yet. Just look. 

I love seeing the flowers in bloom. It is a lot less desert-like than I expected. 

But there is a mountain coming out of scissors crossing that is long and hot and  there is no shade. Definitely glad it was windy that day. 

The terrain goes back to brush as you climb up into Idyllwild. There was hail up above so I went to paradise caffe and hitched to Idyllwild.

Day one

Southern terminus! I was afraid of the too much sun, waterless stretches, and feet. Well my outfit keeps me cool and protects me from the sun, the water is alright as long as you plan, carry extra, and are ok with the extra weight, and my feet hurt. They probably will continue. I'm thinking of getting an insert at the next gear shop and maybe switching my shoes if that doesn't help the blisters on the bottom of my feet. 

The Day Before Departure

Life is movement. I have unpacked and repacked my life a few times a year every year since graduating college. I enjoy sifting every item into growing keep or donate piles. The hardest part is never getting everything together, it's the little stuff that is hard. Like today, I have to take down my maps. Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain NP; all fond memories of 2013. They made my room feel mine and now I have to sleep here one more night but the walls will be bare. Onward to the next adventure, with no shortage of maps.

One month till departure

Just yesterday I realized that this time I'm taking off for the trail will be the longest I have been unemployed since I was 16. I may not be old, but this is still pretty life changing. My last day at work was a double where I worked from 9am-2am. I mean what could be a better departure for work? Having such a long day and then today, my first day off  for my trip adventure I am headed outside for 4 days. I'll be testing gear choices, my seem sealing job, and outfit while backpacking and climbing. Life is truly good.

Food: Desert Grain

I have been making a spreadsheet of my calorie intake for each resupply box. Sectioning off what I am going to bring on which leg, keepin track of each items calories, figuring how many calories I need to send myself, figuring how many calories I need to buy in towns, and strategizing my food based off of my reliable water sources.

The question I answered today is what will be my dry grain. Meaning when every drop of water counts, what will I use to bulk up my dinners. The contenders where instant rice, instant mashed potatoes, and couscous. 

Instant mashed potatoes was ruled out quickly. It takes 2 cups of water and 2 cups dry potatoes and makes 2 cups of food. So that will be for areas when water sources are not in short supply. 

Instant rice is a one to one ratio; 1 cup water to 1 cup dry rice and makes 2 cups of food. It doubles to that is pretty good.

Now couscous was a surprise winner. It also has a one to one ratio; 1 cup water to 1 cup dry couscous. But is triples and makes 3 cups of couscous. This will be my grain through the desert. Whole wheat because it has more calories, and lucky for me couscous tastes amazing.

Only a month and a week left!!