Day 27: Little Gleason Forestry Plantation (MP 425) to Acton KOA (MP 444)

April 23, 2014
                                                   
A chilly start to the morning; waking up around 6:30am to a layer of hoar frost covering everything. On the trail by 7am; hiking up and around Mt Gleason. The temperature soon warmed up as Alpaca and I approached Messenger Flats; yet another beautiful day! Dodged more Poodle Dog Bush as we descended down to the North Fork Ranger Station where we stopped for lunch and water. Chatting with Todd who worked at the ranger station, we realized the Acton KOA store had ice cream (which sounded amazing on such a hot day) but closed at 5pm. Finished lunch, packed up and left the ranger station around 1:45; running the 8 or 9 miles (mostly downhill) and arriving at 4:45pm! Saw ePath, Forgetmenot and Rainman at the KOA when we got there. Ended up opting for popsicles and Pepsi instead of ice cream (go figure). Decided to camp there for the night since they had showers, a pool and a hot tub. Ordered pizza, salads, sandwiches and beer via delivery from Acton - delicious! Met Rolf from Zurich, Switzerland when he arrived a bit later followed by Robodoc. Trail party at the KOA with trail friends and all the trimmings! Cowboy camped on the lush grass enjoying the stars again.

Day 26: Pinyon Flats (MP 408) to Little Gleason Forestry Plantation (MP 425)

April 22, 2014

Woke up around 3am, entranced by the stars, the waning half moon, jet contrails and no less than seven shooting stars! Beautiful weather, not too cool, and amazing breezes. Wishing everyone could experience this! Already one of the most incredible birthdays ever!

Up around 6:15, packed, snacked and on the trail by 6:45am. Stopped and chatted with Robodoc, who was camped nearby, for a half hour or so. Onward around Pacifico Mountain, doing the turricula shuffle (aka avoiding the Poodle Dog Bush; similar to poison oak but worse symptoms) before stopping at Fountainhead Spring for brunch and to filter a couple liters of water. Up and over the ranger district divide before descending to the North Fork fire station. Threw away all the trash collected today (since it was Earth Day, I decided to pick up all the trash I saw) and talked to several construction workers who gave me a couple bottles of water. Up Mt Gleason road (Poodle Dog Bush detour) to MP 421 where I regained the trail. Stopped at mile 422 to celebrate my 45th birthday (4/22) at 4:22pm with a little Yukon Jack; opening birthday cards from boy and girl Shannons (thanks guys!). Soon (and unexpectedly) joined by Alpaca who also had a card for me. Incredibly I had cell phone reception, so called my parents and Shannon.

Decided to hike a few more miles to Big Buck Camp but missed the turnoff so continued to mile 425 and cowboy camped near Little Gleason Forestry Plantation for a daily total of 17 miles. Baby Eagle (or as he prefers: Full-grown Daddy Eagle) arrived after dark by headlamp and joined me and Alpaca. Another beautiful day and evening!

Day 25: Mt Islip (MP 385) to Pinyon Flats (MP 408)

April 21, 2014

Up this morning around 6:15; breakfast and a few photos before hitting the trail about 6:45am. Downhill a mile before hitting Islip Saddle and Hwy 2 again (no water cache). Up, up and around Mt Williamson and back down; crossing Hwy 2 again. On down Kratka Ridge to Hwy 2 once again. Took the Endangered Species detour (road walk along Hwy 2 for 2.7 miles) to Buckhorn Campground. Stopped for lunch at campsite #28 before continuing down Burkhart Trail. Rejoined to original PCT in Cooper Canyon around MP 395. Up Cooper Canyon to the trail camp where I soaked my feet and ankles in three cold creek. Continued back up to Hwy 2 at Cloud Summit. A little trouble with my left ankle as I reached MP 399 but a couple Aleve seemed to do wonders. On to MP 400 where I waited for GPS position and the Aleve to kick in. Onward past Glenwood Camp and Camp Valcrest and Three Points; passing Sulfur Springs and Pinyon Flats to the ridge at MP 408. Should be good to make MP 422 tomorrow! Made 23 miles today despite the ankle issues.

Day 24: Wrightwood to Mount Islip (MP 385)

April 20, 2014

Happy Easter! Up around 6:30, showered and down to the Lions Club Easter breakfast at the community center ($4 for all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, omelets, orange juice and coffee). Back to the room to pack, made a 'hiker to trail' sign, then down to the mini mart for another water bottle (lost one yesterday in Tim's car). Got a ride within 10 mins from trail angels Amy and Brian (Thank you so much for going out of your way to give me a ride!) Back on the trail at Inspiration Point by 10am. Yet another beautiful day, blue skies and not a cloud in the sky. Hiked up, around, and down Blue Ridge before coming back to Hwy 2 (Vincent Gulch Divide) where there was a water cache and oranges. Talked to (former trail angel) Laurie and her dog while I ate my orange, then began the step ascent up Mt Baden-Powell. Paused for brunch at Lamel Spring about half way up before crossing a couple snow fields and reaching the summit around 2:30pm. Met Forget-Me-Not and E-path at the top. Signed the trail register and sent Loren (a teacher from Wrightwood whom I'd meet at bunch) a requested Baden-Powell snow report. Lost a water bottle over a 2000 foot cliff as I was packing up to continue. No worries, only 6 mild to the next spring. Amazing ridgetop hike with incredible views for the next couple miles. Passed Robodoc and half-a-dozen Japanese day hikers along the way to Little Jimmy Spring where I met Rainman. Continued on a couple miles to tonight's home on a beautiful ridge near Mt Islip. Thoroughly enjoyed the awesome views of the San Gabriel Wilderness as I cowboy camped alone. Fifteen miles for the day.

Day 23: Lytle Creek Canyon (MP 352) to Wrightwood

April 19, 2014

Alpaca and I were up around 5:30am. She was off by 6am to make the 18 miles and meet her family in Wrightwood by 1:30pm (she was taking a zero and going home/LA for Easter). I chatted with Whiskers and Jack-a-lope for a while and left around 6:30am. Entered the Angeles National Forest this morning and hiked the 18 miles to Hwy 2 (at Inspiration Point) by 1pm; briefly passing through the Sheep Mountain Wilderness along the way. Crossed through the Mount High Ski Area just before reaching the highway. Got a hitch into town from Tim who was visiting his brother and sister-in-law (Thanks Tim!). Met up with Leon and his girlfriend, Pam (who had driven up to see him) at Yodeler's. Alpaca was there too waiting for her dad to arrive. We all shared pizza and a pitcher of beer while she waited. Checked in at the Pines Motel for three: myself, Whiskers and Jack-a-lope shared a room. Showered then down to the store for supplies. The three of us went out for Mexican and a couple more beers before calling it a night.

Day 22: Silverwood Lake (MP 329) to Lytle Creek Ridge (MP 352)

April 18, 2014

Up around 5:30; packed and on the trail by 6:15am. Up and over Cleghorn Ridge before descending some incredibly beautiful and steep sandstone ridges down to Cajon Pass and I-15. Made my first 10 by 10 of the trip (10 miles by 10am) today; actually ticking off almost 14 miles by 10am. Headed to the McDonald's for breakfast then over to the Best Western to pick up my resupply box. Shannon had also sent a birthday surprise box which included cards, chocolate chip cookies and Easter candy! Yum! (Thank you, Shannon!)

Whiskers, Jack-a-lope and Teddy (the first woman to ever solo the trail - back in 1977 - now section hiking at the age of 87) were enjoying lunch at McDonald's when I returned. Teddy soon departed as this was the end of her section hike.  Amazingly Alpaca arrived soon after, having blazed 62 miles in the past two days! The four of us headed to the Chevron for a couple beers and snacks and thoroughly enjoyed the cookies from Shannon! Eventually back on the trail around 3pm with Whiskers, Jack-a-lope and Alpaca, crossing the San Andreas Fault before climbing several thousand feet up Lytle Creek Ridge. Dinner then cowboy camped with the gang under the stars.