Stats

Start: Wrightwood – Mile 369.3
End: Lamel Stream – Mile 375.7
Elevation Max: 7,745
Elevation Min: 6,571
Elevation Change: 1,706 up & 1,281 down
Average Heart Rate: 134
Walking Time: 2 hrs 0 minutes
Date: 4/24/2022

The Walk

This is by far the comfiest bed I’ve woke up in on trail. But I was wide awake at 6:30. I only planned to hike 4-8 miles today, so I had all day to enjoy the town and do chores.

I threw in a load of laundry and caught up on the internet life. It felt nice to relax in bed, and not be rushed on to the next thing.

A bit later I packed up and ordered an Uber. Breakfast was a mile away. I try to avoid walking as much as possible on days off. The miles do add up! And my feet deserve a rest.

I was surprised an Uber actually connected. They were coming in from Cabazone. My lucky day. I waited 15 minutes and caught up on writing. Chris was already gone for the day. So I cleaned up and wish I could have told him thanks again!

Bandit and I hopped in the Uber to the Grizzley Cafe. The driver said he has never been to this town. And he had no idea where the app would take him next. Ha

I ordered coffee and an orange juice. My go to breakfast drinks. Bandit and I had an interesting chat about what makes a cool hobby, among other things. I decided to go for the big breakfast eventhough I wouldn’t eat it all. House potatoes, bacon, sausage, eggs, and biscuit and gravy. It was wonderful. Especially the biscuits and gravy.

As the food came out, Speaker, Chef, High Life and the crew showed up. It was nice to run into them again. They were just a few miles behind.

Bandit and I finished breakfast and she took off for the trail. She was going southbound, so it’s unlikely I’ll ever see her again. Maybe later up trail when she is on her way south. Hopefully so!

I hung out for a few hours sipping coffee and writing. I really enjoy town days where I can relax and write. Eventually I headed to the grocery store and resupplied. The next section of trail is 75 miles to Acton.

I had some leftover food because I didn’t plan for pizza or McDonald’s. So I grabbed the necessities and lunch for today. There were 10 hikers hanging outside the store. They had benches and outlets for PCT hikers. This is the best town!

I finished writing around 2 and met up with the crew. They had an Airbnb and were staring on dinner. We chatted for a few hours, until I had to go find a hitch back to trail. I planned to get 7 miles in before dark.

Part of me wanted to find a spot on the floor and hang out, but I also wanted to get back on trail. They were planning to spend 2 nights, and I would have been pretty antsy. So I decided to keep moving. Hopefully I’ll see them again further up trail.

I tried to hitch for 10 minutes unsuccessfully. Then Cassie, a hiker I met a few nights before helped me get a hitch. She didn’t actually need one, but stood there with me until someone came.

I heard a voice across the street call out “are you headed to trail”. I said yeah! And jogged over. A lady and her dog were in the car. She had hosted hikers in the past and was happy to give a ride. The dog was a highlight. That’s two hitches with dogs in a row!

She dropped me off and I started on the trail. I was looking down at my phone, writing a note and heard a familiar voice. Cheshire Cat and Stella the lab were right ahead. What the hell? Three times? He smiled, said hi and pulled 4 strawberries out of his bag. He said “Trail magic only counts if it happens on trail” and gave me the last 4 strawberries. I said thanks played tug of war with Stella and went on my way.

He said be careful, you’ll trip if your shoelaces aren’t tied. A subtle reminder to be present and enjoy the beauty around me. I asked if he was having a god day. “Everyday on trail is a good day”, he said with a genuine heart and smile.

I throughly enjoyed the next 5 miles of walking through pine trees. Ocasionally a mountain top would poke through the trees, but it was mostly pine forest. And the trail was covered in pine needles. It was perfect.

I felt grateful to be back to trail. I always enjoy town, and often hurry to get into town. But the first day back on trail reminds me how amazing it is that I walk a path so many others have walked. A path that has sewn deep relationships and changed lives. I can be part of this community of growth and self exploration. And I am so grateful for that opportunity.

Trail magic at a parking lot! A sack of food was hanging from a PCT sign post. Another smile. I downed a pack of mini m&ms and kept moving. I had no idea that it would be just what I needed. After the parking lot, the trail to Mt Balden-Powell began. I hadn’t looked ahead to the elevation.

The trail gained 1.3k feet in less than two miles! One of the steepest sections so far. I didn’t realize until a quarter mile of switchbacks and I checked the map. It was straight uphill until the tent site. On the bright side, this would knock out almost half of the climb.

I pushed through the switchbacks and actually enjoyed the challenge. My legs felt strong, but they were happy when it was over. The trail climbed up a mountainside and there weren’t any level spots along the way. One hiker was at my planned camp spot, but I was thankful to see another semi flat spot.

I decided to cowboy camp cause it was late and I was tired. I quickly set up and made ramen for dinner. I added extra water to warm me up! Around 7:40 the sun was getting low and a chill picked up. I hadn’t checked the weather…

I heard a hiker say the Garmin in reach worked for weather so I tried it out. It said 80% chance of rain between 8-10. Shit! The last thing I want is to get wet with my gear on this mountain. Tomorrow would be a full day of 40 degrees climbing on snow!

So I put my noodles down and scrambled to set up my tent. I threw in all my gear at 7:55! Now I can relax for real. I finished the noodles and hopped in the tent. There is no rain forecasted after 10pm or for tomorrow, so I felt in the clear.

Tomorrow will be a snowy climb up Mt Balden-Powell. It’s a short, steep climb to 9,407 feet. I’ll also summit Mt Williamson later in the day and end at lower elevation than I am now. It’s a chilly night. 8:44 and it hasn’t rained yet, so hopefully Garmin was wrong. I’d be 100% okay with that!