Every moment I am either thinking about our next stretch, planning the logistics, resupply, water, camping, routes,  etc., or the actual doing of it. We are not in cell service often and we recently pushed farther than planned and missed our recharge option. This is all to say, I will post when I am able. Sorry for the long stretch. 😊

Day 27

17.94 // 363.4

We left Cajon Pass Inn at 6am, hiked across the bridge, past the McDonald’s and back to the PCT trail. We are really glad that we got started first thing this morning. It felt MUCH better to hike in the cooler temperatures. We knew the whole day would be ascending up to Wrightwood. We were carrying 4 L of water because there was no water for the next 15 miles except for a water cache somewhere around mile 8. Water caches are WONDERFUL, but may be depleted, so you can’t rely on it.

We hiked together as a group of 7 at a pretty good pace all the way to the water cache. There happened to be some trail angels there replenishing the water supply! From then on the sun came out and it got hot quickly, and there was no shade and we ascended the rest of the day. I was using the sun umbrella. I did pretty well until about 10 AM. We did get 10 miles before 10 AM and took a break in what little shade we could find.
WE PASSED 350 MILES!!!

After that I was pretty cooked. I spent the rest of the day as the caboose trudging along up the hills. I’m not sure why today got to me more than any other day, but it did. It was a very hard day for me, and yes, I was ready to quit.

After 15 miles we reached the road that you need to take down to Hwy 2 to catch a ride into Wrightwood due to a fire closure. Another hiker had arranged a ride for all of us with a trail angel. 

The Trail Angel drove us 8 miles to the Stater Brothers grocery store where we did our best to think clearly even though we were totally baked, and try to determine what we need for the next five days of meals. Then she dropped us all off at our accommodations for the night, Bob and I at the Grand Pine Cabins. We ate at The Yodeler with a couple of other hikers. Then we came back to the cabin and worked on our food supply. 

Day 28

16.84 // 389.2

We had a VERY NICE bed at Grand Pine Cabins in Wrightwood!!! I slept SO WELL!!!

We got up and were ready at 6:45. We went to the Village Grind for a breakfast sandwich. 

The Trail Angel picked all of us up and drove us to the Fenner Conservation Camp on the other side of the Wrightwood Fire closure.

We got dropped off and then hiked 2 miles UP the road to Vincent Gap where we met back up with the PCT. The next 4 miles were an increase of over 5,000 ft. We climbed to the top of Mt Baden-Powell. It was great to reach the top. Many hikers showed up over time. It was fun to be up there with everyone.

We had a good break there.

Then we headed 5 miles to the water source. Again everyone was there too. Water really brings hikers together. 💦 Filtering water always takes time.

We decided to try to go another 6 miles to the next camping (no water), there was another big 2 mile climb then 1 mile descent to reach it. We arrived at 7pm. It is actually a pretty good spot. We can see the city lights of LA. We ate dinner with the other hikers we are now mostly with, our trail family, or Tramily 💕 and had a lovely visit.

Our Tramily includes Bluegrass, Sushi, Songbird, Derek, Jay, Spaghetti Bag, Jane and David. It’s a good group and flexuates sometimes.

Today was MUCH BETTER than yesterday!!!!!

I am so very glad! It was cooler, there were trees and shade.

So even though it took us all day to cover less miles than we did in the half day yesterday, today was SO ENJOYABLE!!!!’

****Also, we managed to do 18 miles, go to town, pick up packages, resupply and get back on trail the next day for a 16 mile day without taking a zero or near-o!!!! An impressive accomplishment.***

Day 29

17.76 // 406.7

This morning we got up and were ready to hike by 7 AM. It was a beautiful morning. Not too strenuous. The five of us keep a pretty good pace, though we were all dragging just a bit. We hiked for about a mile and then we came to the Eagle Roost parking for Pacific Crest Trail. This is the closure/detour for the endangered frogs. We did a road walk for over 2 miles then it drops you in to a campground. This got you off the road and onto alternative trails which was preferred. There were a number of places to rest, picnic tables, shade, campgrounds with trash and pit toilets. We stopped every few miles to use these resources, which also slowed our pace.

The hiking was not particularly hard, just steady, and after all the climbing yesterday, I think we all are a little run down.

WE PASSED 400 MILES!!!!!!

We took a break at Camp Glenwood. It was a great place to take a quick nap while everyone visited and ate. Many people congregated there. We stopped again, 1 mile after Camp Glenwood to get water from a “phenomenal flow”. From there, we hiked another 6 miles to reach the Sulphur Springs campground where a lot of people have landed.

I spent the evening getting water because there was just a trickle from a faucet and there was a line. Bob did a good job making our meals again. There are a lot of people here and it’s fun to see everybody. We are sleeping in just our inner net again. Today was lots of breaks at picnic tables, therefore this became Picnic Table Day. We went almost 18 miles but it did take all day.

Day 30

20.66 // 427

We left camp this morning at 6:30am. Our tramily of 5 were ready to head out together.

We weren’t sure how far we were going to go, but water sources were at 4 miles and 11 miles. We hiked about 3.5 miles and got cell service so we all checked in with home. 💕

We hiked and hiked, rolling up and down, in and out of the shade and heat until we reached the fire station where they had water for us and a firefighter brought out an electrolyte mix. 😋

We washed up and had lunch for a couple of hours. It was windy and only one tree for all the hikers to share.

We headed out again and now the group of about 20 hikers are a traveling bubble. Water sources and towns will do that to a group.

We held up in a shaded area with another set of hikers, including one who we haven’t seen since breakfast in Big Bear!

We finished the day after 20 miles at a non campsite with several other hikers.

We had four cheese mashed potatoes, ghee and bacon bits. It was delicious!!!

We have cell service so we hear people calling home. Its sweet.

THANK YOU for reading!!!! We love the comments! We do see them all and appreciate them! 💕

Happy trails,

Julie

@JulieandBobgoforahike