Category: PCT 2018

Mile 454-458

Well, there really wasn’t a plan for the day. I know we talked about scenarios of what we could hike and what we should hike but none of those scenarios materialized today. Instead it turned into a “Nero” a near-zero day of hiking.

I was kinda over the crowd of hikers at Hiker Heaven. A great place with super generous individuals but just not my kind of place. I like less people and more intimate settings in which to converse but hey, it was still a great experience. Some of the early birds were up before the chickens. I stayed in my tent until I became a little to warm. The majority of the hikers who stayed there were taking the day off so I knew it was time to get back to the trail. Only it didn’t quiet happen that fast.

We took the 10 o’clock ride into town–that is a mile away. Numbers (he hiked the trail last year and never returned to corporate life) dropped us at the grocery store but seeing as we hadn’t had breakfast we figured going into the store on empty stomach would be a disastrous resupply plan. So off we went for a late breakfast/early lunch. Stuffed, we managed to carry our already heavy packs over to the store across the street. I had plenty of food and just picked up some salami, cheese, more Fritos, and 3 meal bars. I’m gonna really try hard to eat EVERYTHING in my food bag this time. No leftovers.

After the store we packed our food bags again. We loitered in front of the store until we decided we needed beverages and ice cream. Back in we went. Our plan of stalling hiking hour was working and it lasted until after a late lunch hour of Mexican food (yay!)

So it was before 5pm when we started out of town. The temperature had already started to drop and we sluggishly started down the road walk out of town. We ironically started with a few others who had just left Hiker Heaven at about the same time. We met O.M.B. (OneManBand) who has been hiking with a guitar. He also was packing out a bucket that he’d been using as a makeshift drum this morning.

I finally met a hiker named Shrink. Justin had started the same day with him and I’d only heard stories. He hiked the AT 2 years ago. I hope to chat with him again soon. He’s currently camped a little bit behind us as he stopped before the climb (which ended up being our only plan).

So, we barely hiked 4 miles before stealth camping tonight. We were setup before 7 and I think we are all just wanting some better rest than what we had last night. The trail (and the horrible hill climb) will be waiting for us tomorrow. There should be a stream in about 6 miles where we can get water tomorrow. After that it’s about another 14 miles before we will see water again. There’s another hiker hostel in that same area although we haven’t made a concrete plan to stay there yet. The weather is supposed to cool and become slightly windy so that will help out our day hiking temps. We could have night hiked this evening with the moon being so bright but our full bellies and heavy packs stopped us short. Again, it will be there tomorrow.

Mile 436-454

Well, I was right. We were the LAST ones to roll out of camp this morning but we didn’t care. It’s just kinda what we do. The morning started with another donation to ranger station volunteer guy. Still never got his story but he was up before we were. He brought back the cooler full of drinks and snacks and also changed out the water jugs where we’d been filling up our bottles from. I grabbed a root beer to-go. It wasn’t as good as a cup of morning joe, but it still was a treat. Anywho, we were on the trail just before 8. Feel like it’s been a while since that has happened.

The trail today wasn’t too brutal until we went through Acton. We managed to take a quick break before crossing the highway there. It was already scorching hot. We parked ourselves under the picnic area for a few minutes. I did some yoga moves to keep the body limber and warm. After crossing the road we located the monument that symbolizes when the PCT was completed in 1993. I would have expected something larger but either way it’s in a random spot.

Climbing after the monument was probably the hottest part of the day. Not sure how we always manage to climb at that hour but we do. We suffer and torture ourselves instead of just taking a long break and hiking into the evening hours. We will learn one day 🙂

In total we hiked 18 miles. My feet were feeling like ground beef today. I think they knew the new shoes were waiting. there’s just no cushion left in this pair after 350 miles. I hate to think that is how often I will be buying shoes. Oye. Although it’s the same brand and style, it’s a newer version so I’m hoping I have the same good luck I’ve had with my Altras in the past.

So the place that we are staying at in Agua Dulce is a place called Hiker Heaven. It’s a private residence that hosts hikers. Team JKL had walked into Agua Dulce and a nice man (Numbers) was driving by. He hollered at us and told us he’d be right back to pick us up. We hopped into the back of his pickup with a bunch of other hikers and didn’t have to hike the extra mile out of town. Totally perfect timing on our part.

At Hiker Haven we’ve been showered with generosity. The have a trailer with a kitchen–if you want to cook for yourself, showers (indoors and outdoors), and laundry services. They have a small staff of volunteers that help out all the hikers and run them into town. They even offer shuttle rides into The Burbank area for any larger errands. When you arrive at Hiker heaven, they give you a full tour of where to camp, eat, shower, charge devices and hang out. They even give you loaner clothes while they wash all your dirties!!!! After the tour, I picked up my box in the garage at Hiker Heaven. It was full of all sorts of funny notes from Kel. It was a good laugh. I’m sure I’ll find a note down the trail that I missed. Thanks Kelly!

The great thing about this place is running into a few people I haven’t seen in a while. I ran in to Emily (now Bebop), Alfredo (Pasta), Fireman and Luc. I haven’t seen Emily since we parted ways in idyllwild. Today was Emily’s last day on the trail too. She’ll fly back to NYC on Friday and then move to Seattle to start her surgical residency. So glad we were able to spend a few weeks together out here.

We plan to head back into town mid morning tomorrow to grab a few grocery items. We will probably have some Mexican food to eat before we hit the trail–my request of course.

Justin’s feet are bandaged for a few more days. He needs to order new shoes. Laura is still trying to figure it out too. Everyday she has a new blister. It’s such a bummer!!! She and I were able to do a little epson salt foot soak this afternoon here, that was refreshing.

Another random PCT day in the books. Until tomorrow…. goodnight.

Mile 418-436Its gonna be a good day on the PCT when it starts off with Trail magic! This photo is Tripod (left) and Kitchen Sink. Tripod was woken up by Kitchen Sink setting up bags of bread, snacks and 3 coolers of drinks and food. KS starts hiking the PCT on Thursday. He was nice enough to give Tripod a ride into Agua Dulce so he could rest up his ankle. I found out about the trail magic when I went up to use the privy next to Tripods tentsite. I brought back Little Debbie cookies for LnJ and shared the exciting news. After we packed up our bags, we went in for the food. Donuts, makings for ham sandwiches and I even had a fresh avocado. What a way to start the day!! We cruised by the firehouse on our way back to the trail. Thankful we didn’t get arrested or ticketed for trespassing. Whoops. But it was the best campsite in the location 😝

The plan for the day was 17 miles to the North Fork Ranger Station. None of the water sources were reliable for today’s hike so I carried 4.5 liters from camp this morning. It was hot getting started so I knew it was best to “camel up” and carry all that I could. With the pack loaded with water, the first initial ascent leaving the fire station kicked my butt. I immediately brought out the sunbrella to make it through the heat. It’s kinda a pain but it really does help to Keep me cool while the sun is blazing down.

We took 2 breaks today. The second break was at the top of our descent and there was no shade to be had. Laura and I created our own and were able to catch a little rest and snack. The miles down weren’t terribly bad. We had around 6 miles to descend and it was nearly 3pm. We made it to camp right around 5pm.

The sad part about being out here is realizing the lack of funding for some of these campsites and ranger stations. This one in particular is pretty much closed. I didn’t get a chance to talk with the man who keeps the water cache stocked here. There is also a cooler full of sodas and snacks. It’s on the honor system. I paid my donation and took a few sodas. I’ll give a few more dollars tomorrow before we leave again. All in all, another good day. Another 17 miles accomplished. We are going to try to make it to Agua Dulce tomorrow. Its 8 miles to Acton, then another 10 to Agua. Hopefully the terrain is forgiving. Laura and Justin are still having foot/shoe issues so hopefully they can get some resolve with a little time off in town.

As we camp here tonight we’ve found ourselves in a different bubble of hikers. Longstride is here again. He caught up with us at the trail magic this morning. He had camped a few miles back from us. Some of these hikers get up so early to get their miles in. I’m pretty sure we will be the last ones to leave again. And yes, Laura and I nestled together and Justin decided to go without his tent tonight. He’s currently snoring as I write this blog. I’m gonna need earplugs tonight.

All photos uploaded from the past few days as well. Hope you get at least one good laugh!