From Idyllwild to Tehachapi Miles 179 to 558

I Wasn’t Really  Lost; But Now I’ve Been Found!

I know it’s been a while since I blogged.  379 miles and this is the first time I have had a chance to get to a computer to chronical my journey.  Many of the small towns I did come across did not have open libraries or my timing was bad or too tight to make it work.  I will say it has been a grind and some hikers have retired, many are nursing nagging bumps and bruises, some seeking counsel with some of the physical therapists that offer their services/consults to the hikers, and most taking well deserved ZERO days in towns like Tehachapi.  However the start of the Sierras are just a week or so away and the next push to Kennedy Meadows South is all the talk.  When I get on the trail tomorrow, I will have 8 miles to hike until I am done with the hiking map of Southern CA and will start walking on the first of the 527 miles of the Sierra Hiking Map.

San Jacinto- Trail hidden under several feet of snow

I left Idyllwild climbing Devils Slide Trail up to Saddle Junction on the San Jacinto Mountains.  Walked with a gentleman who was training for a Trek to Peru in a few months.  Was going with a friend who was born in the mountains of Peru and was taking him to places tourists do not normally go.  Once we got to the top we parted ways and I stopped to put on my micro spikes as the snow still covered the trail in most places by a couple of feet.  The goal for most of the people hiking up there was to get to Fuller Creek 11 miles up the trail before dark.  A storm was predicted with lots of wind and some precipitation.   We had to follow the footprints in the snow of those that went before us and verify against the GPS data on our phones to be sure we were heading in the correct direction of the trail.  Climbing over blowdowns, and punching through snow every once in a while made for slow going.  The wind was picking up and it became apparent that Fuller Ridge was not going to be accomplished but the questions was how far do we go.  I decided on a strategy of locating a protected space where I could pitch a tent and then gave myself 15 minutes to go forward.  If I did not find another suitable protected spot, I would go back to the previous location.  I did a series of 4 or 5 sequences before I decided not to push it any further.  I set up in a little spot below the ridgeline protected by  a few very large rocks and trees.  I got my tent set up and the wind really started coming.  It was a very interesting and noisy night and when I emerged in the morning my tent was one ice dome.  Quickly packed up and continued on with the Evergreen Trees all around encrusted in ice with branches sagging low.  I hit Fuller Ridge and was now out of the snow.  Found out later Fuller Ridge not only got the wind but it rained which was harder to deal with than ice. 

Fuller Ridge to the I-10 Underpass 

Below Fuller Ridge I ran into my hiker friend who had suggested I relace my boots 2 holes up back at the Tine House.  His name is Kelley and we hiked together much of the next 2 days down to I-10.  He is a semi-retired Trauma Surgeon and we had some interesting conversations as we hiked.  There is a reason California has a ton of windmills….. it is WINDY and very challenging to set up tents and hike on the sides of mountains.  We hit the I-10 underpass at about Noon and we were greeted by Trail Angel Mamma Bear who had beverages, hot dogs, fruit, chips, cookies and candy.   There were chairs to sit in and we spend a good hour and a half sharing our stories and some good laughs.  We also got up to speed on the reports of Norovirus being reported for the next part of our trek all the way up to Big Bear Lake 50 miles away.  The health dept. had checked Mamma Bear, and the next support stops.  The plan became to double treat all our water and not share anything.  We used our Sawyer Squeezes to filter the water and then also chemically treated.  To add fun to the mix, the next section was up Mission Creek Canyon that had 8 miles of the trail wiped out by Hurricane Hilary last August.  

Mission Creek – the non-trail to Hell

We literally had to walk up a rock strewn canyon full of sand and bowling ball sized rocks crossing and re-crossing the flowing creek for 8 miles.  At the end we got to climb a fairly large hill only to go back down to the creek to climb up a large fallen tree to get out of the creek at the end.  There were places near the end where the water was stagnate and full of green and red algae. At mile 240 we were able to camp at Mission Springs Trail Camp and leave the section behind us.  From there we climbed the mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest up to Big Bear Lake.  Was able stay at Kenny’s Place for 2 nights as he opened his house to PCT hikers.  For $20.00 a night you had showers, laundry, afternoon snacks, and a great morning breakfast as well as rides to the trail heads and to resupply. Would highly recommend as an option to stay at.

The Trail Turns West for 90 miles 

It was certainly weird to hike the next 90 miles westward instead of north towards Canada as we transversed the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles Nation Forest to Agua Dulce.  So far we as a group had stayed clear of the Norovirus so we never had to deal with that.  Lots of good trails to hike some big miles once getting up to 24 miles on one day.  The big goal for the moral and motivation was the McDonalds at Cajon Pass.  Have you ever experienced 20 or so ravenous hikers sitting in a McDonalds at once eating several courses of Big Macs, quarter pounders, milkshakes, fries, etc.  Quite the experience!  
From there on it was westward to Wrightwood where it was the last resupply before Baden Powell.  Slept on the deck of a trail host with showers and laundry available.  Baden Powell is a daunting climb up in the snow and very strenuous.  Can be very icy and the snow melt leaves conditions in a ever changing environment.  Truth in Hiking here:  I took the self imposed over age 65 AARP option and walked the road around the base of Baden Powell.  Road was still closed to traffic and is very torn up with mud slides and it will be awhile before it opens up.  Actually was a very hot and tiring road walk for 10 miles.  We then had to detour again onto the road due to the PCT being rerouted for an Endangered Frog Species.  Finally got to Acton at mile 440 and stayed at the 49er Bar for 2 nights to rest my knee.  I went too hard on a long downward section of the trail and my knee is now stiff and sore.  I hooked a ride into Burbank to the closest REI and I bought a new Osprey Backpack as my old one was sagging and past its prime and uncomfortable to wear.  I also saw the soles of my boots were well past the worn stage and got some new Oboz hiking shoes.  Took it slow into Farmer Johns Oasis in Agua Dulce at 454 but my new pack felt great and am working the new shoes in. 

Turning North Again

Had a good night stay and then hobbled into Hikertown at 517 where I stayed for a little over 24 hours before setting out to night hike on the LA Aqueduct to avoid the day hike in 90 degrees.  Camped after midnight when we reached the windfarm and the last water source for about 9 miles.  As we headed to the road to catch a ride into Tehachapi, we were hiking in hot dry conditions, and about 14 miles from the road we hit a climb that was over 3 miles long with 24 switchbacks up the mountain,  I started the climb at 1:21 PM and got to the top at 3:10 PM.  Fortunately about a mile after the summit there is a place where Trail Angel Ray keeps a campsite stocked with water drums of spring water, cookies, oranges and sometimes beverages.  His brother started this 23 years ago and he now keeps it up.  We slept well after the climb and only had about 9 miles to hike to the road to catch a ride to town.  I am taking 2 days here to resupply, eat great food, sleep in a hotel, take long hot showers, and write this Blog. 

Thatcher Hiking

I mentioned the windy conditions several times and to leave you with a visual, I want to say I have become an expert at what I call Thatcher Hiking.  For you Led Zeppelin fans, think of the album cover for  Led Zeppelin IV.  Non-LZ fans can look it up…..  It shows a Thatcher carrying a load of thatch for repairing the cottage roofs and he is quite bent over.  I often had to hike that way with feet spread apart to withstand the sudden wind gusts as I walked the trails through the mountains. With that; thanks for reading and following along, and as usual, please consider volunteering at a trail near you if can.

Roary and Rollie having fun meeting everyone.  Here with Jasper and Ava from the Netherlands and also with some mythical creatures they met on the trail.

Peace and Happy Trails CrampPa