I wake up in Lake Arrowhead to an inch of snow. Seven and I walk to 7/11 and grab some last minute snacks. It’s a 5 mile road walk back to trail. We have our thumbs out the entire time and at the second mile a guy Charlie stops and picks us up in his truck.
Charlie tells us he’s a logger and only works 9 months a year, he takes the summers off to row and enjoy the lake. Sounds like my kind of guy. We offer him some cash for the hitch and he says no way. Enjoy your time on trail.
Once we make it back to the “3rd gate” it’s another mile and a half back to the actual PCT. As we pass splinters cabin we see a guy from the day before. He gave us decent directions of how to get to town. We were straight up lost yesterday trying to find the trail.
As we continue hiking the scenery is gorgeous, someone please send me some synonyms because I’m running out of how to describe this trip. We cross the creek a few times, stop for breakfast and realize we can make it to the hot springs by mid day. Looking at my watch, we’re moving at a 3mph pace as we pass the 300 mile marker.
When we turn into hot springs we see there’s only 4 other people there. Two people who we know and two woman day hiking. Uglystick and Arthur, Uglystick tells us he’s now named Arthur- Tardy because he’s always late. I guess he woke him up in his tent at 9:30…. For an 18 year old kid that tracks. Seven reminds me I am now TWICE his age, Jesus I’m now old.
We strip our clothes off and jump in for a nice soak, Sevens cautious of his bloody blisters so he hangs a foot out. A complete ab workout for the hour we are here.
Tardy entertains us with some cliff jumping and then we say see you guys later and we get moving again. We heard the Joshua Inn has beer and will let us crash in their yard. It’s 7 miles to the highway and that’s easily doable for today.
As we get closer to the end of our day it’s just single lane ledge the entire way, absolutely beautiful mountains on both sides with the creek in the middle and you can see the Army’s Mojave dam in the distance.
After crossing the dam it’s a small water crossing and a short walk up through lush green tunnels to the highway.
Theres a sign there that says call Alan hell pick you up.
Me- “Hi Alan are you available for a ride?”
Alan-“I’ll be there in ten minutes”
After he drops us off at the Joshua Inn we enjoy some popcorn, meet the owners dog who got attacked by a mountain lion across the street, and drink a hand full of beers.
After spending the evening eating, drinking and hanging out with the locals as they play pool we head out back and set up our stuff to cowboy camp on the main stage.
Overall, today was an awesome day, we met awesome people, had an awesome time and I had a smile on my face the entire time. Blisters? What blisters? Tomorrow’s a 15 mile day and then we push on to get to the El Cajon McDonald’s. Seven and I debate pressing it to get higher mileage in but also battle slowing down. We want to enjoy every minute of it. As I lay here looking at the stars I also stare at the disco ball above my head and just continue to smile.
The Pacific Crest Trail 