MOJAVE

This is what u get when u cram 5 hikers into a motel room..

Got some miles to go before the high sierra!

Mile 509, Day 30

Done with the vortex! After staying with legend trail angles the Saufleys and the Anderson's, taking zero days at both, its time I get back on the trail.. the experience at each stop, though different was amazing in its own unique way which I can't describe by typing on this phone. It also gave me the opportunity to meet more hikers! At the Anderson's, I was welcomed in by slow clap (in which they then told me I got "the clap" :) ) got the opportunity to relax and rewind over some good beer, music, and taco salad, while at the same time as being entertained by the social atmosphere that is the Andersons. After some pancakes this morning, 3 Bears and I headed back to the trail by the help of trail angel Lil' Steps. Today ended up being one of the most comfortable hiking days yet. Clouds were out, temperature was cool, and the trail amazingly forgiving. Today was also a big day because we crossed the 500 mile mark and hiked our first 30 mile day... currently we're camped on a hill looking over the beautiful Mojave desert which we are to cross tomorrow!
Pic: me and Momma T Anderson
PS.. I was giving a trail name the other day at the Oasis Cache hehe.. I think it fits me quite well!

Day 27, Mile 454.5, The Saufly's in Agua Dulce

Wrightwood was great. I ate way too many chips at the mexican food restaurant that prevented me from finishing my burrito. I had to use the restroom mid-meal, just to miss an amazing performance by the "Three Gay Caballeros" (an amazing team of guys from Bolder, CO) who sang a song in harmony and in Hebrew. The next morning I got to sleep in and pack in as much food in me before the climb out of Wrightwood. After leaving the town in the afternoon, we had a big climb to the summit of Mt. Baden Powell, a little over 9000ft, where many other day hikers and boy scouts were climbing (apparently Mr. Powell had founded the boyscouts). The summit was great and I enjoyed cooking a nice meal on top with 3 Bears. 

3 Bear, catchin some air after the big climb

That night we camped on the outskirts of a camp filled with boyscouts, woke up the next morning and hiked all day through the Endangered Species Detour (PCT is closed for about 4 miles due to an endangered yellow spotted toad). After a long road walk, we finally made it back to the trail, and eventually to camp. It was Charles' birthday (one of the 3 caballeros) so we celebrated with some tequila and a solar eclipse. The next day we hiked up and up through some Poodle Dog Bush (poisonous) and the Station Fire area. In 2009 hundreds of thousands of acres were burnt in this area, killing two fire fighters and set up perfect conditions for Poodle Dog to grow. The sunset that night was amazing for we were on top of the San Gabriel mountains looking to LA way off in the distance. 

The next morning we woke up and hiked a hard and long downhill to the KOA campground where we were greeted with trail magic (fried chicken, gatorade, and candy) from Visa. Visa is a known figure on the PCT: His wife died of hyperthermia on the PCT in the 90's. His two sons hike the trail in memory of their mother a couple years ago, and thus started the 'Anderson Challenge' (drinking 24 beers in 24 miles, which I won't be doing). Visa himself, is a beloved trail Angel and is unfortunately battling throat cancer. We all wish him the best of luck and thank him for his generosity. The KOA campground also had some ice cream that we stuffed down!

To finish the day, we hiked to the Saufly's in Agua Dulce. This is one of the more popular Trail Angel stops who run their 'hostel' like a swiss watch. They're known for their 'corporate efficiency'. When I arrived, I jumped into some loaner cloths while they did my laundry. I then took a shower, grabbed a bed, and socialized with other hikers I haven't seen for some time. This place is amazing and can not thank Donna enough for the operation she runs here. Photos and more about this stop coming soon! I'm currently planning my resupply strategy for the Sierras so time is of the essence. 

To Be Continued...

Mile 444 trail magic

Thanks to Visa and his appreciative Gatorade,  fried chicken and candy on a hot hot day. Almost to the saufley's!!

Poodle dog!!

No bites yet from this poisonous bush

Wrightwood, Day 23, Mile 369.6

Greetings from Wrightwood!

I am finally now able to sit down at a computer (in the Wrightwood library) and type out a longer post. The past 370 odd miles have been an experience full of adventure, ups, downs, excitment, and fatigue. I've hiked with many great people, and those who have a similar pace as I, I've gotten to know more about. Surprisingly (or not surprisingly) many hikers are from Portland and San Diego. I've hiked with Kiwis, English, German, Japanese, Southern, and Mid-Western folks. All are interesting in their own way, and all have a story to tell. That's one of the things I love about this trail is the opportunity to meet people and know their stories. The world seems small as well, because a few hikers that I've met know friends of mine from around the world, however, it's probably not that big of a coincednce because similar adventures attracts like people.

Hiking out of Big Bear towards El Cajon Pass

*Roughly (for it's hard to recall every day of hiking), after hiking past the Anza Borrego Desert, we've traveled up desert mountain ranges (e.g. San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, San Gabriel, etc.) and down to desert floors (e.g. through White Water, and now heading into the Mojave Desert). At lower elevations, the temperatures are HOT, water can be scarce, and the hiking isn't as enjoyable, in my opinion. I enjoy climing uphill, and at higher elevations, we get to experience alpine trees (Pines and Redwoods), cooler temperatures, a little bit of snow, and amazing views. I started off trying to maintain a 20 mile day average, but now I'm going to try and step it up to a 25 mile/day average. Doing so will allow me to take longer breaks in trail towns, and allows me to save a little bit of money for the long term. Trail towns are a great way to reunite with fellow hikers that you haven't seen for some time, let your feet heal, and get some tasty food. They're also a way to empty your wallet, which is why I've only taken 1 official 'zero' day (day without hiking any miles) so far. I've seen a few rattle snakes, many lizzards, plenty of song birds, and even naked people (at the Deep Creek Hot Springs). Days where we hike by potential swimming grounds, such as Deep Creek Hot Springs often end up with us staying at the water hole for 6-9 hours without a care in the world. As a result, we end up night hiking in the dark until we find a place to camp or right before our feet are about to fall off.

Deep Creek Hot Springs (got this pic w/out any naked people)

Camping has been great. Some say 'the best part of hiking is not hiking' and there definitely is some truth to that. I love taking breaks, or at the end of the day, cooking a warm meal and climbing into my sleeping bag, looking up to the starts. I rarely have set up my tent in this Southern California section (only on very windy days or spots of potential morning dew). Usually, we just lay out our groundsheets and sleep under the stars. In Big Bear Lake, I picked up a book about the 15 greatest theorists (e.g. Copernicus to Einstein). It weighs about 1.5 lbs, but it's very interesting to read when I can find time, and it's also nice to be learning on the trail.

My health is good. The dry air seems to make my throat and nose perma-dry, but that I can deal with. I have blisters on my feet that go numb after 10 minutes of hiking, but they are annoying and I'd rather not baby them as much as I have been. I'm still trying to figure out the best system regarding shoes/socks/liners/blister protection, etc.

Fellow hiker Ben on a typical desert hillside

Anyways, I am 1/2 way through the desert and Southern California. I am enjoying this hike greatly, but it seems as if this desert will never end! I can not wait to get into the mountains of the High Sierra and not have to worry about water sources, caches, or extreme heat. I've got a long way to go, but my moralle is high. I hope to write longer post (such as this) with details about random adventures in the near future, but it's hard to update using my smart-phone, and hard to find time in general when all you want to do in town is eat, drink, and sleep haha. Right now, I'm located in Wrightwood, somwhere ourside of Los Angeles. Next step is to hitch back up to the trail head, and continue on!

To be continued!

Mackers! Mile 342

Hiked 7 miles this morning and made it to mackers! Loading up on calories  before charging uphill in the hot afternoon sun.. this food stop can be some what of a vortex...

Hot springs! Mile 327

Spent all day at the deep creek hot springs yesterday . Lots of naked dudes but it turned out to be a great day! Afterwards we had an adventurous night hike and today were catching some rays at lake arrowhead. Looking forward to mcdonald's tomorrow!!!

Morning routine

Taking care of the old feet before the deep creek hot springs.. lots o blisters but they heal quick!

Big Bear Lake -food

A group of us including two German girls and two New Zealanders went on a mission to clear out the Chinese buffet. I think we did pretty good.

Big Bear Lake, day 16, mile 265

1 tenth through the trip! Nice to be back in town at beautiful Big Bear Lake. Hostel looks fun. Time to get food and resupply. Feet are okay, just gotta keep pampering them.

Photo: Pop Star, 3 Bear and I in the San Gorgonio Wilderness

Mile 210

Today was rough, having descended about 6500 ft to the valley floor in 103 degree heat. The water source at the bottom of the canyon was amazing but provided no shade. Looking up we could see mt. San jacinto where I stood the day before. Looking out we could see the small town of Cabazon where angels Ziggy and bear live. After 20 miles we arrived to hunkered down hikers in Ziggy's backyard, a foot bath, toilets, hot dogs, Gatorade, and ice cream! Tomorrow is gonna be a big climb, back up to elevation on our way to Big Bear.

Pic: hiker trash getting some shade

Mt. San Jacinto: 10,834ft

Second highest man in southern California looking down at palm springs below. Decided to take a lil detour to see what John Muir claimed to be "the most sublime spectacle in the world". Mt. Jacinto has one of the steepest north faces in north America.

Idyllwild mile 179

Finally made it to Idyllwild, a small mountain community next to the San Jacinto mountains for my first zero day, shower and bed! Sharing a cabin w 3 other hikers; pop star, just retired and Erin.. spent last night at 6800 ft on a ridge looking east and west, then hiked 21 miles of ridge to 8500ft before drooping down to 6000 ftand hitching to town. Now, pizza, beer and give my feet a rest!

San Jacinto ridge walkin'

Mile 151 Paradise cafe

Sitting at paradise cafe about to eat my first real meal. 3 bears and I hike 11 miles to stumble upon great trail angeling.. too many nice people with delicious treats, make the desert well worth it.. if I were to drive due west I'd hit oceanside. Met a trail legend Billy Goat for some inspiration (in pic)
At mile 151... got a ways to go. Next stop is Idyllwild!

Mile 130

Headed into Riverside county.. morale high, could use a shower :)