Author: Chris DiFranco

I camped at Islip parking lot and the weather overnight was perfect. I wake up around 5:30AM and my body feels like trash. Yesterday was a physical battle, I’m glad I “won” it but man I feel it today. I imagine this is how boxers feel, yeah I win but man I too got “heat up”

I pack up my camp and walk over to the privy. It’s actually clean. Perks of the road being shut down for years no one comes here. Fully stocked with TP also, I start off my hike through a little section of trail and then I jump onto highway 2 for a 5+ mile road walk around the frog closure. Wolf and Dallas are with me this morning.

Right now you’re probably saying wtf is the frog closure?

The “frog closure” on the PCT at least refers to a trail closure between miles 390 and 393 to protect the habitat of the endangered mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa and Rana sierrae). These frogs are native to these parts of Southern California. Their populations have sadly been severely reduced due to:

• Invasive species (like non-native trout that eat frog eggs and tadpoles)

• Disease (especially chytrid fungus) like all of us

• Habitat loss and degradation

The U.S. Forest Service and other agencies sometimes temporarily close certain trail sections especially in sensitive breeding areas to help the frogs recover without human disturbance. Essentially we’re letting the frogs have sex unbothered by us.

As of recently this zone has been off limits to hikers. It looked beautiful from the sign but I guess I’ll see it next year.

After walking around the frog closure I cut through Buckhorn Campground. I have to say what a beautiful campground, they even had fireplaces out side that I would imagine not in fire season would be awesome to sit by. I can remember a few cold nights I would’ve loved that. A nice outdoor fire, your friends and a nice brisk spring evening. There was also privys everywhere as I walked through, not that I’m a huge fan of them but when you have to go you have to go.

After I walk to the end of the campground I read the bulletin board that gives me the heads up about the local wildlife. Of course mountain lions and rattlesnakes. I kindve want to see one of them but not the other. Which one do you think is which?

After a mile on the trail it’s an obstacle course across a river on a huge log. Indiana jones style. I went first, being short didn’t help trying to climb up onto a 55” in log.

From there it was down down down until guess what, another river crossing, I fill up my 2 liters of water and start back up hill to regain what I lost in elevation.

I stop to have lunch and Dallas joins me, Wolf pushes on. Today it’s cheese and pepperoni in tortillas for lunch. Of course a side of gummy worms with it and electrolytes to catch up on the dehydration. Not get ahead of it, but catch up at this point.

We get moving again and Dallas is now 50ish feet ahead of me. I see them stopped staring and then get walking again…. Weird, wtf is this kid doing? I get to where they were and see what they were staring at. A nice old snake standing at attention. I swing at it with my trekking pole and high step it out of there. “WTF Dallas!” I yell. “Yeah it was kindve pissed off at me.” You’re killing me smalls. I think it was a gopher snake, but I didn’t see it good enough.

Probably because I had my head down and was in the zone. Im shooting to get to mile 411 tonight so I can camp at 411 for 4/11 my 36th birthday. Last year I spent 35 at Havasupai with my dad. Honestly I’d say that was the best birthday I’ve ever had. But I’m looking forward to tomorrow to be even better.

As I cross Highway 2 for the last time I look at FarOut. It’s 9 miles to camp. It’s currently 3:45PM and time to get moving fast. I think the sun setting over the mountain makes it look darker than it really is. Before I get up the trail a reminder we are now in bear country.

A few miles in I hit the water source and fill up again. I can’t drink enough water today, I just feel dry. Another couple deep breaths and I find a nice shady rock to sit on.

As soon as I sit down it’s chaos. I didn’t even take my bag off and I got bit 2 times by a horsefly. Last time I saw one of these was back home. Usually Mother’s Day to Father’s Day or if you’re at the beach. Damn they hurt!

I pop up immediately and tell the horseflies it was nice meeting them. Have a good one friend and I’m off again. I don’t stop the rest of the way, just power through the uphill. Power through the shin splint in my left leg, ugh. Makes me feel like middle school soccer, that’s the last time I ever had a shin splint. Most importantly power through my last day as a 35 year old.

I roll into camp and see Seven and Wolf already there. Wolf snagged a sick tent spot.

I haven’t seen Seven since the other day. He crushes the uphill and was way ahead of us. Nice, the boys are back in town for my bday tomorrow. Absolutely perfect. Tomorrow’s also day 100 of my micro retirement. Can you say just completely stoked?? I have to say, it’s been fucking amazing year so far. Cheers to 35 you were a solid year, but 36 hold the fuck on because it’s just getting started.

I camped at Islip parking lot and the weather overnight was perfect. I wake up around 5:30AM and my body feels like trash. Yesterday was a physical battle, I’m glad I “won” it but man I feel it today. This is probably how boxers feel even after a win. Beat up.

I pack up my camp and walk over to the privy. It’s actually clean. Perks of the road being shut down for years no one comes here. I start off my hike through a tiny section of trail and then I jump onto highway 2 for a 5+ mile road walk around the frog closure.

Wolf and Dallas are with me this morning. This highway looks like it would be awesome to do in a nice sports car. Top down, music on low, heated seat on. Ahhhh man to move that fast again… but anyways.

Right now you’re probably saying wtf is the frog closure?

The “frog closure” on the PCT at least, refers to a trail closure between roughly miles 390 and 393 to protect the habitat of the endangered mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa and Rana sierrae). These frogs are native to these parts of Southern California. Their populations have sadly been severely reduced due to:

• Invasive species (like non-native trout that eat frog eggs and tadpoles)

• Disease (especially chytrid fungus) like all of us

• Habitat loss and degradation

The U.S. Forest Service and other agencies sometimes temporarily close certain trail sections especially in sensitive breeding areas to help the frogs recover without human disturbance. Essentially we’re letting the frogs have sex unbothered by us.

As of recently this zone has been off limits to hikers. It looked beautiful but I guess I’ll see it next year.

After walking around the frog closure I cut through Buckhorn Campground. I have to say what a beautiful campground, they even had fireplaces out side that I would imagine not in fire seasons would be awesome to sit by. I can remember a few cold nights I would’ve loved that. There was also privys everywhere, not that I’m a huge fan of them but when you have to go you have to go.

After I walk to the end of the campground I read the bulletin board that gives me the heads up about the local wildlife. Of course mountain lions and rattlesnakes. I’d like to see one but not the other. From a far far distance.

After a mile on the trail it’s an obstacle course across a river on a huge log Indiana Jones style.

From there it was down down down until guess what, another river crossing, I fill up my 2 liters of water, chug a half liter and start back up hill to regain what I lost in elevation.

I stop to have lunch and Dallas joins me, today’s it’s cheese and pepperoni in tortillas for lunch. Of course a side of gummy worms with it and electrolytes to catch up on the dehydration. Not get ahead of it, but catch up at this point.

We get moving again and Dallas is ahead of me. I see them stopped staring and then get walking again…. Weird, I get to where they were and see what they were staring at. A nice old snake standing at attention. I swing at it with my trekking pole and high step it out of there. “WTF Dallas!” I yell. “Yeah it was kindve pissed off at me.” You’re killing me smalls. I think it was a gopher snake, but I didn’t see it good enough.

From here on it was a slog uphill the rest of the way, knowing the sun is setting fast and that I’m shooting for mile 411 I put my head phones in and zone out. I pass by camp Glenwood it’s at mile 400. Nice landmark. A private dad’s camp for kids it says. It’s a nice spot out here but is closed up. The water is also off.

As I push that last 11 miles to camp I see Seven and Wolf already there. I haven’t seen Seven in a day or two it’s awesome he made it. He was here first, we all sit down, have dinner and enjoy my last night as a 35 year old.

Tonight I’m lucky enough to grab an amazing camp spot at mile 411 on my birthday 4/11. Last year I spent my birthday with my dad hiking Havasupai. It was his first time to the Grand Canyon and my second time there and his first time backpacking. He absolutely crushed that trip, we had a great time and it was a perfect four days of weather. I honestly think that was the best birthday I have ever had to date. But I’m expecting this years to top that.

35 was an amazing year for me, I met amazing people, got into some trouble, traveled to a bunch of amazing places and did some pretty outrageous stuff. So as I say good bye to my self as a 35 year old I keep in mind that 36 better hold on fucken tight because it’s just getting started.

After grabbing my ice axe and spikes I text a trail angel whose number I got from Wolf.

“Hi Marlene would you be able to drive four hikers to Fenner Conservation Camp?”

“Yes I can, tomorrow morning 8AM” she responded.

That’s perfect. I wake up at 3:45AM, nervous for some reason. Like I haven’t done enough hiking at this point to not be nervous before hiking. Maybe I’m nervous about the hitch? I don’t know. The mind does some mental fuckery and I flip flop around in bed.

I play a Calm sleep story and no dice. I say fuck it I guess I’m up for the day. Time to rot my brain with some morning internet and then off to shower and start getting ready to go. With four of us today and one bathroom I will make sure to get in there before anyone else.

Marlene’s daughter arrives at 7:59AM. Right on time, I love it. It’s a 25 minute drive around the closure to Fenner Conservation Camp and I got shotgun. We arrive at the place and it looks like a fire head quarters. It’s actually a camp where they train inmates on how to fight forest fires. When we pulled up we saw them all walking outside and getting on the busses.

From Fenner it was about a 2 mile road walk up to the trail that reconnects us to the PCT. Today is a day of mostly uphill again and when I say mostly uphill. I mean 4,000 feet of elevation gain day.

Once we get up past the road walk I’m already sucking wind. At 6800’ elevation now and I know I’m going to 9,300’. I read a trail report earlier that said after 8 switch backs there is XYZ. I was counting the switch backs and after the 8th there was snow, and more switch backs.

I toss on my microspikes and debate taking out my ice axe. Right now I don’t think I need it but we’ll see. It’s more so laziness of not wanting to take off my bag and get my axe.

After another mile it’s time for the axe. Today for some reason I don’t feel it. On Jacinto I was at home, felt comfortable, positive, today I’m tired, I can’t breathe and I’m actually nervous.

The shoots are some steep shoots I do not want to self arrest on. By the time we get to them it’s almost mid day. My microspikes are slushy and sliding all over the place. The group in front of us isn’t even wearing any. They say what’s the point in slush?

I finally get to the summit and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s perfect blue skies, almost no wind and visually appealing as far as the eyes can see.

When I arrive everybody else is already there Wolf Slayer, Seven, Dallas, Kind Heart, Meatball and Sparks. What a ragtag group of characters we are but we summited and got the photo for proof.

After I left the summit it was another 5 miles and up and down along snow covered ridges. All in all everywhere above 7,500’ had snow and to me needed microspikes. I kept my axe away for most of the day but used it when it was smart too or dumb not too.

As I roll into the last water source I look at the time and say there’s no way Im making it another 5 miles before sunset. My body, mind, and desire to keep going on are just at their end for the day.

Instead of pushing for the five after two miles I stop at Islip trail head and make the decision to pitch my tent there. Wolf and Dallas come in after me and decide to stay also. Seven made it to that next camp solo.

I see a few cars here that have made the hour drive and gotten stuck. They ask me when the road will reopen but I have no answers either. I tell them I just literally walked from the other side of this highway closure. It took me all day to do so also.

As the suns setting a couple snowboarders come down the mountain. We chat for a bit and they give me a beer for the road. Appreciate it guys. That’s a breakfast beer. My body completely toast I climb into my tent and that’s a wrap for tonight. I fall asleep to a nice breeze.

Leaving McDonald’s I brought 20 nuggets, and 6 cheese burgers. The two fries didn’t make it to the trail. I camped maybe 2 miles after Cajon Pass just before the water cache and enjoyed a nice long quiet afternoon. I know Wrightwood is off the table for today but I also don’t want to get there too early tomorrow. I find you can’t hitchhike as easy in the early AM.

This meant I had 10-12 miles of maybe 2.500’ elevation gain going up towards Wrightwood leaving Cajon pass. I wake up at 4:30AM and just lay there. I stretch for a bit and then start packing up at 5. I expect the sun to be light enough to see around 6:00AM. At 5:30 I get out and stand outside just enjoying a perfect morning temperature. I take a few deep breaths. It feels good to breathe at a normal elevation again.

I hear Seven making noise over in his tent. He yells over “Mouse! Don’t leave without me I need your tape!” Ahhh yeah he’s still nursing that blister and is taping it up. One more day and you can heal it for the weekend.

“It’s a beautiful morning.” I tell him.

The alpenglow lights up the desert valley and Seven and I just stand there for a second. I look at him and say “Nice dry tent today. Perfect.”

I get a move on and he stays behind to tape up. Again I tell him “you’ll catch up. It’s up hill and I hate the up hill.” After a half mile I hit a water cache. Nice,

I only had a liter left and the uphill drains me. I was planning on rationing water all day, luckily my meal of McDonald’s didn’t need water last night. It’s always a battle of more water is more weight. But water is life and weight is manageable. Never pass up a clean drinking source. I top off knowing I’ll finish it as heading back up to 7,000’ will dehydrate me.

After the water cache it was endless switchbacks for roughly 10 miles. Within those ten miles were easy gradual rises where I would take in the scenery. Able to see the highway where we got McDonald’s the day before in the distance. Some jumping over downed trees, and some scrambling some rocky sections. Seven and I were on opposite ridges for most of it so I would yell random stuff over to him. He’d yell back he can’t hear me.

As I climbed to 6,800’ elevation I stop to wait for the others to catch up, I don’t want to miss the right turn to the road and I want to make sure we all take it together. I heard they are giving out 1,000$ fines for walking through the closure. I’m all set with that. That’s robbery.

After Seven and Tardy catch up we eat a couple snacks and get moving again. We laugh about how Tardy brought 39 cookies and still had a bunch. He starts passing them out saying they’re 360 calories a cookie

After a pair of cookies I get moving again. Maybe no more than 900 feet up trail I step over a snoozing snake. Seven yells out “Mouse! You didn’t see that??!” Nope. Completely missed it. Walked right by it in the zone.

With that holy shit moment I’m ready to be on the down hill. Another half mile and I hang a right down towards the highway where we take Lytle creek road which is about a 2.5 mile downhill to the highway. We see a few Jeeps and a Bronco doing a little off roading on the way down. This is the last point I can walk to mile 362 and then after the closure I can restart the trail around 372-374.

We get down to the highway and see it’s a 5.5 mile road walk to town. Seven says screw it let’s go, as we start walking we try to hitch anyways. In 15 minutes we have no luck, another 5 minutes go by and Sevens way out front. I look at Tardy and see a big truck driving towards us. “Hey Tardy watch this”

I hike my short shorts all the way up and throw serious leg into the street. The guy beeps and pulls over a 1/8 mile up the road. We jump in and he goes “honestly man that was fucking funny” I laugh back and go buddy I didn’t think you’d stop so I said screw it why not have some fun.

He gives Tardy and I a ride to town. Seven didn’t want a ride and in the process he tells us about Baden Powel and the area. There’s tons of trail angels that will take care of us he says. He drops us off at the Mountain hardware store, Tardy, and I sign the PCT hiker logbook, and are given a free commemorative Pin. We rented a cabin from a local for the weekend and decide to enjoy some quiet time the four of us. Renaissance got dropped offed maybe 30 minutes after I got there.

Today was a short day, I probably needed it. I definitely enjoyed it. Tomorrow’s a zero day and Monday we get back after it as soon as the post office opens at 8:45AM.

I wake up around 5:30AM and say damn it’s much colder than I expected it to be. I slept great, quilt and liner kept me warm. Tents frozen as can be though. Dew point must’ve been high and with the temp dropping it’s a recipe for mean condensation.

As I am packing up my stuff I start laughing when I look over at Tardy who cowboy camped. His bags frozen solid. Luckily mine wasn’t that bad, my tent looked worse. He asks me what my plan is to dry it out. I tell him I’ll pitch it at McDonald’s.

It’s 6.5 miles to McDonald’s and I leave camp at 7AM sharp. No reason in particular I was just up and can’t sit around long ADHD problems. Seven and Tardy say they’ll be leaving within the hour.

I start off up the trail and my phone goes off. It only goes off when I have “good good service.” Let’s see what emails I have today. Oof Montbell denying my warranty claim for their rain jacket sleeve shearing off in the wind. Tough hit.

Time to find a new rain jacket. Will never buy another Montbell product again. This one didn’t even last 100 miles. This email however found me well. It motivated me, pushed me up the miles of elevation gain because I was honestly annoyed. Once I got to the top of the mountain I was golden again. They did say they would fix it for me. But “it would be expensive”

I thought the “we’ll fix it for you” was an opening to ask for I don’t know 5% maybe 10% off another 270$ jacket. But they weren’t having it. I’ll have to apply to this company after this hike and go make changes from the inside, run the place the way it should be. Like by actually manufacturing good sound products

After deleting these two useless emails I start to jog downhill. Let’s change the mindset, burn some leg power and absolutely burn off that steam, a little trail run on the ridge it is. I slowdown and stop for the wind when it picks up but I just kept the sun on my back and the wind on my shoulders. A nice momentum boost as songs flick through on my headphones. Especially the Elovators.

I comedown from the mountain through a rolling field into the valley and see a running stream. It’s a sight to see. The suns just poking over this one and it goes to show how much up and down I just did. I don’t need the water that’s here but I always like seeing it.

Another .2 and I finally come to the sign that says McDonalds .4 to the right and know I’ve made it to breakfast. All said and done I made great time getting here.

I get into the McDonald’s and grab a booth. I place my order on the kiosk and wait for it to be delivered to table 178. The place is absolutely packed, it takes a while but I’m in no rush, I have to wait till 10:30 anyways. A half hour goes by and Seven and Tardy walk in. I scooch over and let one of them slide in my side.

My food comes to the table and the girl says “I’m sorry we’re out of apple pies is that ok?”

I say yes that’s ok I understand but I will say that’s extremely disappointing. That’s two nos I’ve gotten so far today on things I wanted. (Hums you can’t always get what you want song)

Seven laughs during this interaction. I’ve been telling him for three full 20+ mile days how good the McDonald’s apple pies are and how badly I wanted to get 3 of them. That’s honestly the only thing I was looking forward to from McDonald’s. But like a good thru hiker I roll with the punches. The young girl sends out a couple strawberry pies and apologizes. I thank her and give them to Tardy, I’m not a strawberry guy.

I finish my food and grab a refill on my 6th Sprite. Tardy orders 39 cookies for his 2 days to Wrightwood. His plan is to eat 39 cookies for a total of 19,440 calories to get to Wrightwood. There’s really nothing else to say to that. At his age he can do that. I’d have a heart attack, and most likely shit my self before hand.

We wait until “lunch time” 10:30 so we can order burgers, nuggets, and a couple of mchickens. After stocking up and leaving McDonald’s I open up my tent and tyvek and let it dry out outside on the hot cement. It’s windy, it’ll be dry in 10 minutes. We run to the gas station next door to grab some additional snacks for our McDonald’s and then walk the .2 back to the trail. Tardy stays back to charge his devices and call home from the WiFi.

Seven and I get back on at mid day. It’s literally all up hill from here to Wrightwood and a 14 mile water carry so I left McDonald’s with 2.5 liters. I filter the gross bridge water to round it up to 3. While walking the first few miles I still have good service. I book our cabin in Wrightwood through a trail angel. 120$ for the weekend and Rennaisance is going to meet us there to split it for the three of us. Nice, he’s 4 miles ahead of us. We have to hit the post office Monday AM.

As we get to the top of the afternoons first peak we sit and watch the train go by. Wonder where it’s going and what’s on it i think. While sitting there Seven and I both say eeh I don’t think there will be anywhere to camp later the way this terrain looks. We look on the FarOut map and realize there really isn’t. It’s either push on and crush another 20+ day or have a chill day and call it early at 14 miles.

.2 miles ahead I start to look around in this dry creek bed and say yes this is it. Home for the night, Renaissance texts me and confirms it. He’s finding nothing ahead too. We’ll crush the last 10 miles to Wrightwood tomorrow morning at a nice steady pace. Planning to be hitchhiking by 12PM, in town by 1PM and eating real burgers by 3:30PM.

I set my tent up and have plenty of time to relax. I read a little bit, eat another 10 nuggets and 2 cheese burgers, watch Sassy the Sasquatch on YouTube, and chill with Seven. We laugh at our hilarious shirt tans and talk about how we think Tardy will roll in around 7PM with melted cookies.

6:52PM rolls around and Tardy walks in with a big smile on his face, he says hello and chats for a bit about our plan for the fire closure ahead. After that I head off to my tent and get ready for bed. Looking forward to crushing tomorrow’s 10 and a day of good town food.

I wake up early and can hear the cars speeding down highway 174. Damn that’s loud, or maybe I am hungover. The suns coming up over the building and I plan to hang my sleeping bag out to dry. I have about an hour before I get a ride back to trail and it’s time for breakfast. Some gummy worms, peach rings, Thomas English muffin tops, little beef jerky and some electrolytes.

Alan shows up and says good morning, we say goodbye to Oden the lion slayer and Alan gives us a ride back to trail. We get to trail around 8:45AM. We both look at each other and say “today’s a write off.” Looking for a campsite 14-16 miles away. Something nice and easy, we feel sluggish, hungover, have trashed feet and are just tried. About a mile in Seven says “buddy, what do you got in that blister kit?” Me having gone through that expedition last week. I got you bro, I fully stocked up in Big Bear.

We break out the full kit on a rock and get him going again. Quick tire rotation 300+ miles in for the guy. Now with Sevens foot feeling good, it’s a short time till we get to a big dam. And I mean a big dam. We wonder what’s behind it not knowing there’s a lake there. The last three we’ve seen have been dry. From there It’s a little road walk around a power plant then we poke back into the woods.

The trail has been uneventful today in comparison but the’ve been “easy” miles so far. I filter some water and expect 2 liters to get me through till the next water source. If not it’s 10 miles to that lake. As soon as I get water the trail changes to some incline. Steep incline.

As we climb up we get to the lake and overlook it. It looks huge. I see 3 boats out in the water and that’s a nice site to see. It’s almost boating season back home too. Which reminds me that Winnisquam Marinas sent me 5 emails this season, I need to pay my own boat storage bill for the summer. Anyone want to buy a 2013 Centurion? We walk a few miles overlooking little coves and beaches. It look pristine from up here.

Another mile goes by and we drop down into the day camp on the beach to enjoy our lunch and air out our feet. This beach area was unfortunately trashed! Cans, bottles and just trash everywhere about.

It makes me say to Seven, “man as a taxpayer it’s upsetting to see a couple million dollars invested into a beautiful park to see that they NEVER take care of it. Why even build it? Why even waste the money?” They even put a full ADA handicapped ramp and bathroom at a “boat up only” location.

We pack up after lunch and get moving again we plan to hit the next water source and then set up camp after that. That leaves us 16 miles tomorrow to McDonald’s right now. We continue on through the meandering trail as it climbs and then falls and then climbs again. We look for a spot to camp and there’s just nothing. Another mile and we find a spot, pitch my tent and it starts getting covered in ants, ugh I pack up and it’s on to the next one.

Another mile and nothing and another nothing, finally at this point we’ve hit 23 miles for the day and we see a flatish piece of ground. It’s now 6PM and the sun will be setting behind the hill in 20 minutes.

I pitch my tent. The stakes arnt holding but I’m tired. I say screw it it’s time for dinner.

The usual combination of food goes into my stomach. As we sit there eating and talking Seven and I are both startled by another hiker charging through the bushes to say hi. It’s Tardy from Belgium, he was looking to push another mile or so but he saw us and decided to cowboy camp with us. I throw Tardy some extra food I have to lighten my pack and it’s a win win. I’m lighter and he’s fed, him being 18 maybe I am being a little big brotherly to him.

My opinion of this kid so far, he’s a well educated kid from Belgium who speaks 5 languages. Hes out here rawdogging the trail with no apps or map. His parents are both successful doctors, and he plans to go study physics and philosophy in college after this trip ends.

Definitely not a dumb kid, even my self at that age was very “smaht”. But you always have a lot to learn, I’ve even learned so much just the last month out here just from Seven. But brains aside I can’t watch this kid starve till McDonald’s though, so I toss him my Knorr buffalo Mac. With McDonalds tomorrow my stomach does not need the spice.

After dinner we all do our nightly routines, for me, brush my teeth, check for ticks, predig a hole, yoga, stretching, cork ball roll my feet, a smidge of weed , a couple minutes of a show (Entourage tonight-The Script and the Sherpa episode RIP Val Kilmer) and then I write my blog simply so I can remember the day better and unwind. If I don’t write notes at night the days just seem to combine them selves into one.

As I lay in my tent finished for the night it’s actually a loud campsite. I hear a train horn in the distance. A minute later loud planes overhead. I’m guessing LAX is either landing or taking off and their paths above us. I check the map and see I ended up 6.5 miles away from the El Cajon Pass McDonald’s. Hash browns for breakfast tomorrow and 100% a couple apple pies.. Probably 3. I haven’t had McDonald’s since I was in New Zealand… Man I wish I wrote about that trip, New Zealand was a life changing trip.

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.

Tim dropped us off at highway 18 outside Big Bear and we got back on trail. Late start today so we’re only looking to get 12-14 miles in.

It’s looking like a handful of miles of ascent followed by some pointless ups and downs before we get to camp. Sevens leading and he’s setting a fast pace. I see him in the distance, I don’t really track my miles per mile. His watch beeps every mile, I see him sip water every mile and that’s my mental note.

After two miles it’s a land slide of skree. Wobbly ankles across it and we’re back onto nice hard ground.

As we hit mile 5 I say hmm we have to be near some water by now. And boom, there it is. Delicious, cold, not rice flavored filtered spring water. With that, I also crushed a Lady Gala apple. I picked it up the day before at Vons. Shocking 1.83$.

After filling up 2.5 liters, we’re back on feet. Tonight will be a dry camp which means there is no water at the camp site. So I bring enough to boil pasta, drink, and waste some brushing my teeth.

We get to a flat spot that looks nice and set up shop. There’s a spot a little bit away but it’s on a slope. So we tuck in tight and make do.

There’s significant wind coming in tonight and we grab some rocks to make sure our stakes are sunk in good. We eat dinner, stretch, dig tomorrow’s mornings cat holes and then just shoot the shit. Tomorrow AM we push on to Cedar Glenn, we are planning on hitting the Malt Shop and Seven wants to do a light resupply before we hit Deep Creek Hot Springs.

We wake up at about 6AM, the wind ended up being normal wind. 25mph gusts. I wake n bake and crush breakfast. Two things I usually skip, but I need the energy today. I tell Seven “you hike fast bud, I’m leaving I’ll see ya in 20 minutes when you catch up.” He laughs and says “I’ll see you in 6 hours.” We mainly leap frog each other all day. He takes a break I pass him, I take a break he’ll pass me. Well stop for lunch and chat and then disappear again. It’s peaceful to be alone, but also sometimes sketchy.

I start walking through a beautiful pine forest, if I had a dollar for every time I say “wow this is beautiful” I’d be funding this trip first class. My phone bings, I have service. Time to text my dad, my sister and my friends.

Today is my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday Danielle!

She’s a big inspiration for me hiking. I remember her going to do Mt Hood when I was like in college. Before I ever backpacked. Her and my brother in law have been tracking my location, catching me sometimes going the wrong way and texting me about it. She must’ve been busy yesterday because Seven and I hiked two miles in the wrong direction before we said “hmm why are we seeing day hikers? We haven’t seen anyone on trail in days.” We doubled back and realized hmmm we’re are stupid! We took a left instead of staying straight. We were looping back to Big Bear haha.

My friends text me telling me to shut up, I sent them a 3 minute snap chat video yesterday on how to poop in the woods. Arguably, I thought it was a solid video. They’re sick of me, I believe it too. I’m sick of my self sometimes. Maybe I’ll do a post about how to poop in the woods….hmm

Cedar Glenn is just about 21 miles away. Today’s a long day and I’m ready for it. Two Rice Krispies treats, a bag of beef jerky and the usual snickers bar in my pocket that need to get me till Little Bear Spring.

As I get to Little Bear Spring I say to my self. Damn what a time to not have to poop. It’s an outdoor privy or pit toilet with no roof and amazing views of the mountains.

It was probably one of the best smelling privys I’ve been in too. Smelt like clean mountain air, with a hint of poop. Now I know where Fabreeze gets their ideas.

I push on from mile 285 hoping to get to 298 shortly. From camp to here was roughly 8 miles, I have a ways to go. I stop in a mile and filter more water, I force my self to carry 2 liters at all times. I’m still working on staying hydrated and I am tryin for “prep” for long water carries in the desert.

We bump into an 18 year old Belgian hiker named Arthur filtering water. He’s here alone, left the southern terminus the day after we did and is trying to do the trail as cheap as possible. This kids an inspiration, can’t even legally drink here but he’s out crushing something us old guys dreamed about for years. Politics and bullshit, he didn’t care he was coming to crush the PCT. And the craziest thing he’s doing it like it’s 1990. He’s going off just the past water reports and not using the FarOut app. Wild.

We finally hit the wooden bridge. It’s quite the site to see, as we walk across I check the FarOut app to see if we go left or right. Rights to Canada, left is to Cedar Glenn via Splinters Cabin. We get to the junction and hang the left, Sevens craving a burger and I’m surly not against one. We say we’ll see ya tomorrow Arthur and let him know our next 2-3 day plans.

As we continue on up towards Splinters Cabin we realize it’s 1.6 miles up a brutal road walk. We really couldn’t even find the actual trail. So we road walked it, we finally get to Gate 3 and I call the Cedar Glenn Malt Shop. I ask the person who answers the phone if they’d be willing to pick us up at Gate 3 and we’d love to be patrons of their restaurant. The girl says sure let me see if someone’s free and then says give us 10 minutes.

Seven and I start the road walk and stop at a random house, I notice they have a Bridgeport outside and an old GTO. Dude can we be friends?

A minute later a Toyota Rav 4 pulls up. Driver says his English is minimal. Both Seven and I maybe speak Spanish shockingly, we jump right in and take the 5 minute drive to the malt shop.

We sit down, plug in our electronics and order burgers. I drink 4 sprites waiting and when it arrives I absolutely crush my burger. I personally think that was the best burger of the trip so far. Seven orders a second burger and a Caesar salad for the road.

It’s now 6PM and arguably too late to get back on trail after a resupply. Seven says his feet are killing him also. We start chatting with the lovely family in the booth next to us and they say they will give us a ride to the local motel when they finish dinner. The closest spot was the “Tree Top Lodge” 70$ a night.

We jump into Mike’s truck and he drives us to the Lodge and shows us the small town. There’s a 7/11 that looks nothing like a 7/11. I dig that. He tells us the family was originally from San Diego and moved to Austin TX a few years ago. After Covid shook up the world like most of us, they rethought where they wanted to be and moved to Lake Arrowhead. Mike said he was a tennis pro and ran the local tennis club. He honestly he looked like it. Tennis is a hell of a sport and will keep you in shape. I tell him about how I played inter-murals in college and lost 4 years in a row to the same kid. Ooof I’m still salty about that. After my hike I’ll have to come back and take a lesson with Mike.

We check into the lodge and get ready for bed. It’s a short stay and we’re back on trail 6AM tomorrow. We’re shooting for a noontime hot springs!

I jump a hitch to Big Bear Lake, the driver asks where do you want to go? I have no idea buddy just drop me off at the Big Bear Brewery and I’ll figure it out from there. I’m good at winging it at this point in my life.

I arrive around 10AM. They are closed, I walk around the corner and poke into the market/liquor store. I grab a fresh Gatorade and a snack and strike up a conversation with the guy behind the counter. Everyone’s been super friendly.

He says everything is within this small area, all the shops, restaurants etc. He says there is also a free mountain shuttle that will drive me the few miles up the road to Vons. I’ll grab a food resupply at Vons and a new isobutane can at the Big 5 tomorrow.

Across the street is the Robinhood Resort, I stumble in and speak to the gentleman at the front desk. “Hi sir I’m curious if you have any availability and what the rates are?”

Him- “Yes we have availability, where’s your accent from? Are you a thru hiker?”

Me- “Boston MA sir, and yessir I’m a thru hiker.”

Him- “I was going to go to college for my post grad in Boston but went to Penn instead.”

Me- “Right on sir, both are great schools.”

He was nice enough to give me a discount as a thru hiker and on top of that he gives me the lay of the land. There’s a polar plunge in support of the Special Olympics across the street. He asks if I’m down to participate, you know what. Why not, I’m not against a polar plunge, if I was home in Plymouth I’d be doing it daily anyways.

After checking in I drop my gear off and take a needed shower I head over to the post office to grab my package and get the run around from the guy behind the counter. “It’s not here yet.” it says delivered an hour ago to this post office but I can’t pick it up? It’s 11:30AM and they close at noon, come on.

It’s now noon thirty and I get a text from USPS I can now pick up my package. I sprint across the street, and they’re closed. Like posted they closed at noon. I’m here till Monday.

Since I am waiting on gear to be delivered, I have no agenda, no plans, and I guess I am here to just relax for a day, eat food and see the sites of Big Bear. If I wasn’t hiking, I’d go skiing, but I don’t have the proper clothes for that.

I walk the small neighborhood and debate what to get for lunch. Do I get noodles, pizza, Mexican, Indian or a burger? I seriously debate getting noodles and remember the last time I went to get noodles with someone. It was at a dinner where I decided to tell the person I was dating “hey I’m going to go MIA for 5 months and hike the PCT…” It went over as expected I guess. I will actually say, I give her credit it was the most mature I have seen someone act in probably 4-5 relationships to be honest. Overall, nothing but respect for that person. If you ever read this I hope you have an amazing time diving with whale sharks next month! Jealous. Ahh the one who got away.

I opted for a pizza instead. BBQ chicken it is and a side of spuds. I grab a seat at the bar and order a tall Sprite with it. The bartender asks if I want some Tito’s with it. No sir, just Sprite on the rocks.

Overall the waiters and waitresses are friendly, the vibes good and the foods good. I don’t need anything else. The fries come out first, they’re steak fries, wasn’t expecting that. Nice! It’s been a while since I’ve had some good steak fries. I also hear potato’s are high in potassium and other vitamins. I definitely need that for how much energy I’ve been burning.

After I finish my pizza it’s off to chill. I want to check out the bus schedule and see what the best time is to get to Vons, the Big 5 and somewhere to grab some post cards.

I really love sending post cards, I’ve always sent my self post cards from my world travels. They’re all in a collage frame randomly dumped in there in my bedroom. It probably goes back 20 years. If anyone wants one as I travel, send me your address and I’ll put you on the mailing list! Stacy from Banning, yours is in the mail! Thanks again for all your help!

I decide to skip the Big 5 today and just hit Vons. Which means I get on the Mountain Bus and take the 9 minute trip through Big Bear Lake. Vons is Vons like every other grocery store. People open mouth coughing, standing in the middle of the aisles in the way, cutting in line. Being completely normal in a miserable civilization. It makes me say grab your stuff and get back into the woods buddy. Natures scary as fuck, but it makes more sense on why.

After I check out with my stuff and head out for the bus stop. I wait maybe ten minutes and say screw it I’ll walk. It’s only 1.3 miles, as I walk the distance in 15$ sandals I stop at dollar tree, Walgreens, McDonalds for some salt and pepper packets and then Taco Bell for some sauces.

When I get back to my room I finish off a Caesar salad I grabbed on the way back also. It was a baffling display of a Caesar to be honest. They put tomato’s and pasta on a Caesar salad. Mad? Meeh, Confused? Absolutely.

I toss on some tv and get ready for bed. Tomorrow AM I finish up my errands and meet back up with Seven. He’s a day behind.

I wake up and skip the bus and walk the mile the Big 5. It says they open at 10 but it’s 9:15AM and I walked right in. The lights still semi off but I got my shopping done. Awesome! This is how it should always be. Smooooth sailing.

After the Big Five I meet Seven out front and it’s off for some lunch. For a tall skinny kid he can put some chow down. Since we’re still in SoCal I think, Mexican it is. Start it off with some chips and a do it your self salsa bar. Tacos and fajitas afterwards and a nice margarita to wash it down.

We do a 3 day resupply and discuss how we’re going to navigate the 100 miles of fire closures. Winging it is our plan. I jump on Facebook and start looking for someone to give us a ride back to trail. Tim responds and says I’ll be there in 20 minutes. Perfect for us.

As I leave Big Bear Lake the sign tells me “Well, come back!” And I don’t know when but I’ll definitely be back to Big Bear for sure. Maybe next time it’ll be to go skiing for a long weekend.