Author: memoriesaheadmilesbehind

Mile 395-418

I haven’t had cell service at camp in 3 days now… We are currently tucked in our tents, stealth camping behind a closed fire station. It must be a summer only operation.

I was up early today. I quietly packed up and had time to make a cup of coffee and do a little hand washing before the others were awake. Longstride was the first to leave. Then I saw him return about 20 minutes after. He’d left his sunglasses where he had hung his bear bag the night before. So he had bonus miles today, huge bummer. Bryan left shortly there after. It was his last day of his hike and we eventually saw him trying to get a hitch on Hwy 2.

We were hiking by 9. We finished at 730pm. It was a long day, 23 miles long to be exact. Biggest day yet. We crossed the 400 mile mark today as well so that was stellar.

We caught up to Longstride at the last water source. Said hello but haven’t seen him here tonight.

We made a quick stop at Camp Glenwood. Potty’s were open and we grabbed a little water from the water cache. They also had postcards there, so we all sent a little note off to friends and family.

So I should back up and say that while at that last water source, Justin said he really wanted a beer. I wasn’t sure if he’d seen the post on Guthooks about pizza delivery (and beer) for the place that we were headed for the night. Evidently, he had NOT seen it and moral improved immediately. It was now a faster hike down the trail to get yet another pizza delivered. Honestly, I think it was the best pizza yet.

We met Tripod (Fima) who I had friended on FB a while back. He was camped by the picnic tables in the Day Use area. He’s quite the photographer and this is his second attempt at the PCT. He said he’s currently having some ankle problems and will probably head off trail again soon. We gave him one of our beers.

So we scarfed our pizza, drank our beer and quietly made our way to the backend of the firehouse. The moon is up, it’s quiet except for the occasional road traffic and it’s time to call it a day.

Oh yeah, and just for giggles I should say this: I’m pretty sure blogging about a bear coming through camp last night made me dream about it. I woke up from what I think (hope) was a dream about a bear. My heart was pounding. It was either a dream, a real bear or an earthquake. I know its super silly but it was a good laugh this morning when I told the others.

side note: 9:11am Tuesday I haven’t had enough service to upload photos. When I get closer to town, these past 3 blogs will be updated. Prob by Thursday. K-

Mile 383-395

Last night was a GOOD sleep. Which I’m really surprised to even say considering all the noise the Boy Scouts were making all evening. Shortly after blogging I fell asleep myself. It was just the right amount of cold for me and my body was wiped after that big climb up Mt. Baden Powell.

Today’s day started with a short jaunt to the water source. Per usual, we were pretty much the last ones to leave camp. The Boy Scout troops did roll call as we finished up our last minute packing. I think there were 3 troops in total. We eventually caught up with them in the descent from camp. The youngest of the group was 10. And I’m pretty sure at least one of them had a pack as big as mine.

We crossed Hwy 2 again and started up the side of another mountain, Mt. Williamson, but we opted to not summit it as the view from up top wasn’t any better than what we’d already seen. My climbing legs weren’t having any of that climb so I took a break every shady spot I found. And there were a lot! Once I reached the saddle, Justin and Laura had been chatting with an older man (he was 75) who had hiked Rainer 3 times. The last time being just a few years ago. Pretty amazing.

Downhill from there was easy (for me anyway). I seem to have stellar downhill skills these days now that my knees are cooperating. When we reached Hwy 2 (again) we took a break alongside the road. I ate and since I can pretty much nap anywhere, I crashed out for a few moments. Felt so good to catch a few zzzs.

It was just another short mile on the trail where we once more time ran into hwy 2. This time we stumbled upon a Day Use area called Eagles Roost Picnic Area. I went to dump my garbage, Justin went to read the detour sign and Laura went for the portapotty. As soon as we all gathered back up and were just about to put our packs back on a car pulls into the parking lot. A guy gets out and hollers at us “Hey! Would you like a beer or soda? Fresh fruit?” His Name was JT. He has hiked the PCT two different years. The first year he attempted and did not finish due to lack of money. The second time he started completely over and completed the entire hike. Today, he was out just doing a little Trail magic and boy, did we like it. We each grabbed a soda and fruit (for later). We saw him a few minutes later giving a hitch to some hikers who decided to not do the upcoming road walk/detour.

The roadwalk detour took us 4 miles off the PCT. Back on Hwy 2, it was probably more dangerous walking that highway than climbing some of the ridges we’ve been on. Lots of weekenders cruising in their convertibles and motorcycle enthusiasts screaming down the highway. But yet again we survived.

After the roadwalk we decided we’d camp at the next water source. We arrived at trail camp Cooper Canyon around 4:45 this afternoon. Even though we’d only hiked a little over 12 miles, we were starving, almost out of water and tired fine the day. It seems again that our water sources and possible tent sights aren’t super convenient on this portion of the trail. The plan for tomorrow as of now is to make it 16 miles to the next water source. We shouldn’t be climbing much tomorrow so that will help the legs out. And since we are 2 days out of town, are packs are getting lighter again after the past 2 days of consumption. It’s a very vicious cycle.

No more spills for this kid today. But we are in bear territory still so my food bag is currently hung on a tree. I think the thought of hearing a bear outside my tent is probably one of my biggest fears out here. But hopefully it will just remain a fear for another night.

I finally had a chance to talk with a hiker named Longstride. He and a section hiker named Bryan are camped near us this evening. Longstride has completed the AT. He started the PCT on March 21st and was working on his blog when I went over to talk. I was kinda jealous he has a Bluetooth Apple keyboard with him to type on, instead of just using his phone. Some people think of everything! If I’m correct, his blog website is longstride.net (or longstrider.net). I plan to check it out whenever I get service again 😉

Mile 369-383

Well, today we checked out of another cute town. The airBnB that Kelly had arrange for us was perfectly cozy. I was up at 630 to shower one last time and we were leaving the homeaway by 9am. Laura and Justin had a few items to drop in the hiker box so we rolled by Mountain Hardware before heading to breakfast. We all signed the PCT logbook there and the owner gave us a cool PCT pin. I forgot to take a photo. We ran into a couple of hikers at the store and Kelly made a reconnection with one of the hikers that she had given a ride into Idyllwild (2 weeks ago). After that we all went to breakfast together at the Evergreen Cafe. They seriously have the best food there.

Breakfast done and we headed back down highway 2 where Kelly had picked us up days ago. We took a few minutes to gather our packs and get going. We each take turns trying to find a way to not go hiking… do we really have to go??? But it’s warm here…. I don’t wanna!! All is good fun we put on our packs and headed off. I think we were on trail by 11. We did this nice man today. He was doing trail maintenance. What a little cutie!

We knew Mt. Baden-Powell would be tough, as it did not let us down. Four miles to the summit with an elevation gain of at least 3,000ft. We arrived at the top by 4pm. It was pretty up there and luckily the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. We also had a glider plane fly over us when we were there. The pilots were so close we could see them waving at us.

It was a beautiful day to be out. I think the worst part of the day was how heavy our packs were again with all of our resupply foods and treats. Speaking of heavy packs, mine proved itself today. As we were nearing camp this evening I was looking down the side of the trail to where some hikers had setup. What I was thinking was, damn… that should have been our spot! And then WHAM! In 2 seconds flat, I was laying sideways on the trail. In my haste, I hadn’t noticed the large hole in the trail. My right foot in and my left knee went down FAST. So there I was laying in the middle of the trail, laughing so hard I was crying. I couldn’t get up cause my pack was too heavy. I had to unbuckle just to pick myself up. Pure comedy as I had to dust myself off. Laura pretty much saw the whole things happen and Justin had no clue as he was walking in front of me. I’m totally fine though, altho as I write this I still continue to giggle. And I totally told Laura to get a photo!!!

We are currently camped at Little Jimmy Campgound and so is every Boy Scout troop in LA county. It was a tough pick of a campsite since arrived here kinda late, pretty much right at sunset. Not the most delightful place as the port-a-potty seems smelly from 25 feet away. My tent isn’t perfectly pitch (really, it never is) but tonight I was being super careful to put all my food in a proper location as there has been bear activity here. So I started my cooking my ramen in a ziplock, changed into my sleeping clothes, and then I’m not sure what happened but before I knew it I had ramen soup all over my sleeping bag. So, moral to this story, even though every morsel of food that I’m carrying is outside my tent, if I get eaten by a bear tonight it’s cause they like ramen noodles with cholula!!!!

No need to worry, there’s plenty of people camping here. Plenty of food for the bears to pick from!!!

Anyway, all in all, a good day. I’m so thankful Kelly came to hang out with us. She truly is a wonderful trail angel!

I haven’t even looked at the hike for tomorrow. I just know we have to back track to get water in the morning. It was too late to get down to the creek this evening. Until tomorrow. Goodnight.