April 11 - Arrived at Casa de Luna

Teri and Joe Anderson graciously host PCT hikers on their property in Green Valley, California.  Their modest home hides a very large section of land affectionately called The Magical Manzanita Forest where at least a hundred campsites lay hidden in the trees and manzanita bushes. Paths wind their way through a maze, maybe more magical by headlamp at night after a few beers. Signs point the way along paths and to campsites. 

I'm not sure if I was staying in Rocket Jackass or Garbelly, but it was a beautiful spot nonetheless. The Fullers stayed at Bearclaw while Justin, Snapchat, and Hatchet stayed at Work Sucks (the unemployed hiker site).

After setting up camp we gathered around the single picnic table in the middle of the back yard for dinner and storytelling. Teri's granddaughter, Faith, brought extra chairs for the tired hikers. She returned later to pick up our trash and to say goodbye before heading back to Washington with her parents. Sweet kid!

The decision to stay another day was immediate as Teri could use some help cleaning up in preparation for the Herd coming in a few weeks. We all retired early after sunset. 

Other notes from the day: The hills were incredibly green and covered in vines. Trail signs had some interesting variations. It rained - a quick thunderstorm - to let us know that we were indeed in high desert territory. 

A sign left by the boy scouts!

Church anyone?

Green Valley! Not Tucson's Green Valley for sure!

Just in case you run into one of the 'others' on the trail. No conflicts allowed!



April 9 - Rain at Hiker Heaven

Another zero day, but an unusually productive one. The snow came down at 4:30 am to be followed by rain every few hours after. Around 8:00 am the power suddenly went out and shouting started outside the single wide wobbly box we were staying in at Hiker Heaven. The hot water heater had blown the relief valve and water was pouring out. The heater was about to hit the ground through the floor!

About that time the Fullers, Justin,  Hatchetand I decided that our best option was to chill for another day and hopefully avoid the rain. 

I decided to help Mike (Refrigerator) and Doug (Country Gold) work on fixing the problem. While Mike headed for supplies Doug and I tore out and replaced the floor where the water heater needed to be installed. Later Mike installed a fire wall and the plumber showed up to put in a new water heater. As Donna said later, "The Trail Provides" in reference to the fact that I was on hand and able to help install the new floor while Mike was away getting supplies, making the work go faster. It seems that the Trail Provides in many ways. Every time I've needed something someone comes through with help. It's a bit surreal. 

By sunset the water was back on and we all felt relieved. A common mall dinner orchestrated by Deb brought us all together. The PCT community is awesome!

Donna Saufley - Hiker Heaven Momma!

Country Gold !!!

At the end of the day we enjoyed a campfire. 

Tomorrow it's back on the trail. 

Hikingsolo

April 8 - Back on the Trail Again (Almost on Time)

Betsy and I woke up early at the Red Roof Inn ready to hit our respective trails; for me the PCT, for her the geocaching power trail. As I loaded up I noticed the handle on the truck's tonneau cover was in the open position. Odd. When Betsy came out it was apparent that we'd been broken into and several items were missing including her backpack with several GPSes and about $200 in cash, a plastic organizer, the cord to the cooler, and the kitty litter. Of course the motel cameras caught nothing and the police never showed up. After a call to USAA we felt a little better. Our insurance will cover most of the loss, but the delay was annoying. Our friend, Hatchet, said that methheads use the kitty litter to make a form of the drug. The things you learn on the PCT! So, we were a little late getting started. 

Betsy dropped me off with a promise to meet in a few weeks and a hug and kiss. I'll miss her, and Sissy too. 

I passed the PCT completion monument at the start of the trail just outside of the KOA Kampground and next to the MetroLink train tracks. 

About an hour down the trail I spotted someone a ways ahead. Another fifteen minutes and I saw two people at the top of a switchback. A quick, "Yodel-e-ohh-ho-ho" was greeted with a, "Hey, that's Allen" and a wave. Justin and Hatchet had just decided to take a break so I caught up! 

Not too long later we caught up to Deb and Rick as we walked through the tunnel under route 14. 

On the other side of the tunnel we entered Vasquez Rocks for the last mile or so. Interesting area. 

A short time later we were in Agua Dulce where we stopped for lunch before heading into Hiker Heaven, Donna Saufley's contribution to the PCT family. She hosts hikers throughout the summer at her property and offers free clothes washing, showers, kitchen, and a bed or place to camp. 

A warm room with a cot awaits! Tomorrow we'll hit the trail again barring torrential rain. 

Hikingsolo

April 7 - Special note...

The Fullers are soon to be famous! They'll be featured on the Acton KOA website as the first of this year's PCT hikers. This is the picture KOA will use. 

That's them on the right. 

Hikingsolo

April 7 - Buried Treasure!

Last night over dinner we hatched a plan to supplement our water resources for the next segment of trail. There were at least two days of 22+ miles between water sources so we decided to take the truck and hide some water along the way. Deb identified the general areas we needed assistance and Betsy checked her Delorme map book for roads. We decided on four possible locations. In the morning Justin and Hatchet loaded up to provide the muscle if we needed to bury a cache. 

At the first stop Justin dug a hole big enough to hold four gallons of water. He cleverly disguised the hole by digging other decoy holes as well. Hatchet and I supervised. 

We hid other the second cache behind a fallen tree. Hatchet used dead branches to further hide the bottles. 

On our way to the third location we ran up on two hikers, Matt and Cody, the Aussies. What a surprise! After a quick reunion we gave them a ride down the LA Aqueduct, which at this spot is underground, to our destination. Once there we found another cache already there. Matt and Cody  continued their journey and we backtracked a few miles to place our cache in the Joshua Tree forest. 

With the day almost over we ran back to the Kampground, picked up the Fullers and visited the post office to send back home extra gear. While there dinner plans were hatched. I drove back with Rick to get the guys while Betsy and Deb enjoyed the 49er Bar and Grill. Thanks Deb and Rick for a wonderful dinner!

Tomorrow it's back to the trail. Betsy will be heading home for a couple of weeks before coming this way again on her way to house sit in Sausalito. I'll miss seeing her go, the time together was too short, but I have something to look forward to in a few weeks! 

April 6 - Geocaches, REI, and Hot Dogs

Betsy and I were up early and on the road to grab a couple of geocaches before meeting up with the crew at the KOA. We left Sissy Sue in the room to rest and relax. 

The caches introduced us to more of the Acton area and its country lifestyle. The area shows a little of its farm rural past with horse property and small plantations of fruits and shrubbery. Of course the whole foods type organic market is a new addition. 

At the KOA Kampground we picked up Justin, Deb, and Rick for a trip to REI in Northridge. As we rounded the corner near REI a Starbucks appeared and we had the perfect excuse to dally while we waited for the store to open. The caffeine must have amped up everyone because REI made off with lots of our money! Betsy has a couple of new shirts and a pair of pants that look great! Justin bought a stove and food. He had been going stoveless, but cold weather and a cup or two of hot spiced apple cider and mocha changed his mind. The Fullers however took the prize by replacing sleeping bags and packs - and by dropping almost 11 pounds each from their total pack weight. I think I may have a hard time keeping up with them on the trail. LOL

After gear shopping we had a quick lunch and then went grocery shopping for our dinner. Hot dogs on the grill with deli potato salad made the menu. Justin added pasta shells with Velveeta to round out the selections.

Sometime that afternoon Hatchet (Jeff) showed up to join the merry band. He'll be going with us on the trail. 

Alexa, an archeologist working with the Air Force, joined us for dinner and beer. True to Trail Magic she contributed fresh fruit and a fire starter to the group. 

Sissy also joined us for dinner! Meow!

It was a busy day and we all had a great time. Thanks to Betsy for giving up a day of her short vacation to go shopping. 

Hikingsolo

April 5 - Acton KOA

The night at North Fork Ranger Station was the most restful of the last couple of weeks. Todd made sure the bathroom was well stocked and water was available. He pointed out the best place to camp and we chose the other place, top of the ridge. In the morning I made oatmeal for everyone, and that meant that I didn't have to carry and food the last eight miles into Acton! Wahoo!

We took off early, with Justin in the lead. The vistas were awesome!

Justin and I beat the Fullers into the KOA campground a full hour before the Fullers arrived. In the meantime Justin had met Liberty and secured a ride into town.  That boy has a way with girls!

Betsy was due to arrive today and she did so right on time. Only the parking area was just a little bit off, so after a few minutes she looked around and found the Fullers  and me at the KOA store. Good to her nature she arrived with hiker mana from heaven: beer, cheese, crackers, cookies, and other goodies which were shared around with other hikers who arrived later. 

I drove, somewhere erratically to pick up Justin and my resupply at the post office. Later we agreed to go shopping at REI tomorrow. 

Betsy and I found a place in Palmdale to crash along with Sissy Sue, our cute kitty cat. We had a nice dinner at a restaurant suggested by the local motorcycle cop. Good choice. The maragaritas were right on - more alcohol than juice! Later we retired to the room for a little TV - not exactly something I can do on the trail. Definitely a nice night!

April 4 - Road Walk

Actually we alternated between walking the trail and an alternative route that took us over a road to avoid a very noxious plant called Poodle Dog Bush. Apparently the bush has fine hairs that cause itching and blisters up to several days after contact. 

The trail is covered in the bush especially where there have been forest fires, which describes miles 400 to 440. So we avoided the trail if possible. 

Along the way we traveled thru an old prison where the inmates were trained to fire wild land fires. Unfortunately the prison was burned down in the Station Fire which took two firefighters lives as they fled the mountain. 

While checking out the prison we also got to watch the fire helicopter do 'touch and goes.'

 

The day ended at the North Fork Ranger Station where resident ranger Todd provided water and good info. We also enjoyed an opportunity to get some extra rest with warmer temperatures and early to bed. 

April 3 - Miller Canyon

Not much to report today as the hike was fairly long and without much change in landscape. 

We started with frozen water, faces, and hands and climbed a few hundred feet to get into sun so we warmed up. Along the trail we met up with Happy Trails who started around the same time. 

Later he joined us for a quick lunch. 

We also met up with Jersey Shore, real name Sean (real trail name Lux), who tackled snow covered Baden Powell peak. We are in awe. However, he said we were the smart ones. Thanks, Sean. 

Last note for the day: trail Angels are everywhere. These selfless helpers sometimes leave their mark along the trail as in this picture. 

 

Oops. I stopped too soon. At 9:00 pm a car drove into the picnic area where we were camping and someone yelled, "Hey hiker trash! We've got wine and snacks." Justin and I got up to meet 2013 thru hikers Tentstake and NinjaTank. We shared a bottle of wine and some trail magic happened. Thanks Tentstake and NinjaTank!!!

April Fools Day - The Joke's on Us

Justin and the Fuller's have been constant and excellent company on the trail. Today was no exception. Up early again we left South Fork Campground at 6:45 for the climb out of the flats. At the top of the saddle Justin and I waited for Deb and Rick before starting down a very hairy slope. Much of the trail in this area has been eroded into very steep slides with loose dirt r gravel at extreme angles as the only trail. This slope had one section with less that 6 inches of stable looking ground for a few steps. Somewhat harrowing! But we all mad it and continued to the next section of trail. 

The Devils Chair was a must see feature on a slight detour. I pictures don't do it justice as it's pretty scary. 

After Devils Chair we continued to the Burkhardt Trail whose main feature is a saddle at the end of a three mile unrelenting climb of 2600 feet. Then there is a five mile descent to a stream. All in all we covered sixteen miles with several elevation changes before reaching a campground. 

Justin and I set up camp a couple of hours before the Fullers arrived. During that time we met Chris and Josh, trail angels, who shared steak, potatoes, and beer with us around their campfire. Truly awesome dudes. 

We also met Minight, the neighbor campers Pug. 

The Fullers arrived spent and elected to eat quickly and retire to their tent. It had been a long and arduous day!

March 31 - South Fork

Up early and showered. Down to breakfast in the Best Western lobby with lots of other hikers. Most are taking a zero day except for Jersey Shore who is out the door early determined that a little snow wouldn't slow him down. We are sort of glad to see him go but at the same time hoping he'll be okay. Around 8:30 the hotel help comes in. One has agreed to ferry us to the trail junction just past Wrightwood is exchange for a few dollars. It's a great deal. 

As we drive we pass the Mormon Hills, site of something special. 

Brittany dropped the Fullers, Justin, and me off.  It's ten miles to our campsite at South Fork. Off in the distance is snow and we are glad to miss it. 

The day ended with new friends Eileen, Jay, and Cynthia; geologists. Eileen, whose project is to map past faults on the San Andreas, offers us beer and cuties, which we readily accept. She even brought fire wood. What an Angel!

That's Eileen hamming it up for the camera.

March 30 - Zero Day on the San Andreas

Snow in the San Gabriel mountains should be the least of my worries considering where I am, but that's been the topic of discussion all day. And where am I? Right on top of the crushing zone between the North American continental and Pacific tectonic plates where a small slip would make slipping on snow appear inconsequential. I'm sleeping, eating, and breathing on top of the San Andreas Fault!  Thanks Phil Anderson for pointing this out! I love having a geologist as a friend; it adds meaning to my travels! 

Back to the snow discussion: I'll be going around the trail to Wrightwood where I'll rejoin the PCT. The fun part is that Wrightwood is San Andreas centered. I'll walk along a ridge that lets me look down onto a great rift in the landscape. If the fault holds it should make for a nice walk. If it gives way then I'll see you all at the bottom of the slope! 

Today has been a nice resting day and a chance to let muscles regenerate. Thanks to the Fullers for dinner at Del Taco, to the Best Western for their generous hospitality (Happy Birthday to Rick, the motel manager), and to Justin for sharing a room with me and entertaining me. Tomorrow it'll be back to traveling. 

BTW - Just as the day was coming to a close eight additional thru hikers came into the hotel lobby. Seven of them will be taking a zero day to let the snow melt. One plans on tackling the mountain. Justin is thinking about it. 

No pictures today. No one wants to see a motel room.  Well, just a selfie!

Hikingsolo

March 16 - Hurkey Creek to Idyllwild

The nice lady that dropped me off at Hurkey Creek said that if I just followed the mountain bike trail next to the highway that I'd end up in Idyllwild without having to walk the narrow and dangerous road. Today I did just that, paralleling the highway for a mile or so, then taking a fast right up a meadow. Since the trail headed almost directly east I was a little apprehensive about continuing in that direction since I knew Idyllwild was west. At the end of the meadow I came to a road and stopped, threw my back down, and sat to contemplate whether this was a good move. In a few minutes two horsemen appeared and offered advice. They said the road would take me almost directly into town, just take a left at the next intersection. Then they rode on. Ten minutes later they were back, confirming what road I was to take. Nice people on the PCT!

Five miles or so later I passed a cabin and got more advice on a route. My PCT Hiker app also confirmed my route. In about 45 minutes I was at the Mile High restaurant across from the school having lunch. At the restaurant the nice waitress gave me directions to the State Park Campground where I would be able to camp for $3 and get a shower. The laundry was just around the corner. Perfect! It sure beat the county campground in Idyllwild that cost $25 and was a half mile from the laundry. And to top it off, Chad "Lost Hiker" was there! 

After laundry Chad and I shared conversation over a beer and a burger.