The day started early, up before sunrise and on the trail with just enough light to not need the headlamp. The goal: get to water before it got really hot! Eight point five miles downhill with one and a half liters left should be doable so long as it was relatively cool. I ran out two miles before the water faucet, but not to worry. The trail got better as I descended the final 3000 feet so the last two miles were relatively easy. At the bottom was a water faucet connected to a giant water line. What a welcome sight.
Once down to the desert floor however, it was HOT!
The next goal was to make it to Ziggy and the Bear's White Water Trail House. The last two days of extreme descent had taken their toll on my knees and feet so the five and a half mile trek across the desert and under I-10 wasn't going to be easy. By the time I was in the right area i missed the turnoff and walked an extra half mile. Walking back it was apparent where the trail departed and the flag flying at the Trail House should have been a clue. As I reached to open the gate Chad called to see where I was. Good timing! He was sitting on the back porch telling lies with Bear. When I rounded the corner Bear jumped up and offered me his seat as he ran for a cold Gatorade. He said we could stay as long as we liked.
I signed the trail register as visitor number 13 and had my picture taken. Bear offered to get In-and-Out for us while we relaxed. With Bear gone Chad and I debated staying the next day since I had to pick up a resupply box. About that time Ziggy came out and announced that an old thru hiker had just called to offer any hikers a ride up to Onyx Summit this afternoon to avoid the trail closure just ahead. The alternative was Greyhound and regional transit; costly and slow. I was hesitant at first because I had a box at the post office, but Ziggy gave me the phone number to the post office to forward my box to Big Bear Lake, my next destination. About that timeJustin showed up. He had just enough time for a Gatorade before the three of us piled into David's Prius for the ride. On the way David stopped at McDonald's for Justin where he bought six Big Macs and two twenty piece chicken McNuggets for the ride up to the pass. David dropped us off at the summit around 9:30 and we donned headlamps to search for a camping spot.
All in all I spent about an hour at Ziggy and the Bear's place, but it was an hour packed with amazing hospitality and helpfulness.
Thanks Ziggy. Thanks Bear. And Thanks David!!!
Up early. Headlamp on.
Passed mile 200. Yay!
Water fountain.
Chad with his In-n-Out burger. David who drove hours in heavy traffic to help us avoid more problems. Ziggy. Bear.
As I've said before, I'm amazed at the generosity of people along this trail. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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