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Home ยป Archives for April 2022

April 2022

Day 27: Mile 406.6 (Sulphur Springs Trail Camp) to 430.4 (Messenger Flat Camp)

Today’s westward trek was pleasant though uneventful. Despite leaving at the late hour of 7:30am, we were able to hike 24 miles easily. While we are still technically in the Angeles National Forest, the underwent a dramatic transformation. The lush greenery of the forest gave way to the stark, arid terrain of the true desert.… Read More »Day 27: Mile 406.6 (Sulphur Springs Trail Camp) to 430.4 (Messenger Flat Camp)

Day 26: Mile 383.9 (Little Jimmy Campground) to 406.6 (Sulphur Springs Trail Camp)

I’m officially Little Jimmy’s biggest fan. I’m not sure who he is, but I certainly appreciate his hospitality after a rough day yesterday. Fortunately, today was a much easier day. The stretch north of Little Jimmy Campground was a bit odd: the trail went up and down for seemingly no reason at all, while crossing… Read More »Day 26: Mile 383.9 (Little Jimmy Campground) to 406.6 (Sulphur Springs Trail Camp)

Day 25: Mile 369.6 (Wrightwood/Angeles Crest Highway) to 383.9 (Little Jimmy Campground)

After a restful night in Wrightwood, CA, we enjoyed a substantial breakfast, then ran a few more quick errands in anticipation of our late-morning return to the trail. In particular, I bought cheese as I’m craving it. While refrigeration would be ideal, hard cheeses tend to be relatively shelf stable, and I’m already used to… Read More »Day 25: Mile 369.6 (Wrightwood/Angeles Crest Highway) to 383.9 (Little Jimmy Campground)

Day 21: Mile 285.6 (Little Bear Spring Camp) to 307.9 (Deep Creek Hot Springs)

Who said the desert is dry? Today’s stretch revealed a different facet of an area that is traditionally known as “the desert.” It was an easy, comfortable walk with plentiful water and little elevation gain overall—in fact, we went mostly downhill. In the morning, we followed Holcomb creek. It wasn’t another Valley of Pain and… Read More »Day 21: Mile 285.6 (Little Bear Spring Camp) to 307.9 (Deep Creek Hot Springs)

Day 20: Mile 266.1 (Highway 18/Big Bear) to 285.6 (Little Bear Spring Camp)

Our longer-than-expected stay in Big Bear was enjoyable and restful. Thanks to our delayed departure, Christie, Joe, Michael and I were able to reconnect briefly this morning with our extended trail family who’s a couple days behind us. While leaving the comfort of civilization is always difficult, I truly enjoy the simplicity of life on… Read More »Day 20: Mile 266.1 (Highway 18/Big Bear) to 285.6 (Little Bear Spring Camp)

Day 18: Mile 256.2 (Arrastre Trail Camp) to 266.1 (Highway 18/Big Bear)

This morning, we glided effortlessly down the easy 10-mile path to Highway 18, the gateway to Big Bear, CA. We were blessed with mild temperatures, which was fortunate as there was very little tree cover on this section. The trail often meandered aimlessly, gaining and losing elevation for seemingly no reason, but it was smooth… Read More »Day 18: Mile 256.2 (Arrastre Trail Camp) to 266.1 (Highway 18/Big Bear)

Day 17: Mile 232.1 (Mission Creek) to 256.2 (Arrastre Trail Camp)

We woke up this morning feeling somewhat lethargic. The prospect of navigating a valley of cairns for another seven miles wasn’t particularly exciting. Nevertheless, we promptly broke camp and started hiking around 6:30am. The morning light was a feast for the senses once again. The trek along North Fork Mission Creek on its westward journey… Read More »Day 17: Mile 232.1 (Mission Creek) to 256.2 (Arrastre Trail Camp)

Day 14: Mile 179.4 (Saddle Junction/Idyllwild) to 190.5 (Fuller Ridge Trailhead)

I am back in the wilderness! A kind soul drove Christie, Joe, Michael, and I from Idyllwild back to the Fuller Ridge Trailhead, sparing us a two-mile uphill road walk. From the trailhead, we hiked the three-mile Devil’s Slide Trail up to the PCT at Saddle Junction. As much as I wish we could have… Read More »Day 14: Mile 179.4 (Saddle Junction/Idyllwild) to 190.5 (Fuller Ridge Trailhead)

Day 13: Zero in Idyllwild, CA

Today was my first zero, in lovely Idyllwild, CA. Zeros are an opportunity to rest, but also to take care of “town chores”, namely laundry, gear repairs if needed, planning, and resupply. Resupplying turned out to be both simple and challenging. Unlike typical sprawling car-centric American towns, Idyllwild is a pedestrian’s paradise. The major stores… Read More »Day 13: Zero in Idyllwild, CA

Day 11: Mile 158.4 (Live Oak Spring) to 176.4 (Mt. San Jacinto)

Today’s stretch through the San Jacinto mountain range was extremely challenging—both physically and mentally—but also extraordinarily rewarding. We woke up at sunrise and left camp around 6:30am, in line with our goal to pick up our pace and fully utilize daylight. I wasn’t especially looking forward to the one-mile bonus climb back from Live Oak… Read More »Day 11: Mile 158.4 (Live Oak Spring) to 176.4 (Mt. San Jacinto)

Day 3: Mile 32.6 (Cibbets Flat Campground) to 47.8 (Storm Canyon, north of Mt. Laguna)

So far everyday has been a bigger high. My new-found tramily and I set on a modest goal for the day: the plan was to hike just 10 miles to Mt. Laguna, then resupply and stay overnight at the Mt. Laguna Burnt Rancheria developed campground, which is equipped with showers. You might be wondering why… Read More »Day 3: Mile 32.6 (Cibbets Flat Campground) to 47.8 (Storm Canyon, north of Mt. Laguna)