April 23 – day 15 – camped mile 218.6 – hiked 8.2 miles
It was an easy day going to the Whitewater Preserve. I met my friend Scott there and we went out for some great Thai food. Scott brought the resupply that I had left with him before I began walking.
April 24 – day 16 – camped mile 233.8 – hiked 15.2 miles
After a hearty breakfast out, Scott left me back at the Whitewater Preserve and I began the climb up towards Big Bear. It was a windy day as a storm begins to clear from the mountains.
April 25 – day 17 – camped mile 255.4 – hiked 21.6 miles
It was cool to cold all day. The ridges at around 8,000 feet had trees covered in ice from the freezing fog. It was beautiful. I was wearing nearly everything I had with me. Found a cozy place to camp at the end of a long day.
April 26 – day 18 – off trail at mile 266 – hiked 10.6 miles
It was a beautiful day. Got picked up by the Trail Angel Papa Smurf and I was taken back to his house. This was the second time that I stayed with Papa Smurf and Mountain Momma. They are two of the most generous Trail Angels on the whole PCT. Spent the day there cleaning, eating, organizing and relaxing. Met my friend Nick for the second time this trip. We had a great chat over dinner. It has been wonderful to be able to see family and friends on my way north.
April 27 – day 19 – camped mile 286.1 – hiked 20.1 miles
Had a great breakfast with Papa Smurf and the other thru-hikers. It was a great walking day, cool and sunny. (Photo of Big Bear Lake, above)
April 28 – day 20 – camped mile 302.9 – hiked 16.8 miles
The day’s highlight was hanging out with other thru-hikers below a bridge crossing Deep Creek. There was good water, shade, and mint growing in the river. The trail follows well above Deep Creek. I found a little saddle to sleep on with gorgeous views up and down river.
April 29 – day 21 – camped mile 320.4 – hiked 17.5 miles
It was a short walk down to Deep Creek Hot Springs. Just had a quick soak and hit the road again. It was a hot day.
April 30 – day 22 – camped mile 335.5 – hiked 15.1 miles
The high point of the day was seeing a large diamond back rattlesnake. It was about 4 to 5 inches in diameter in the middle with 7 or 8 rattles. I had been disappointed that I had not seen a single rattlesnake until today.
May 1 – day 23 – camped mile 353.9 – hiked 18.4 miles
Today’s big excitement was fast food restaurants at Cajon. I went to Del Taco. It was disappointing. The relentless ascent west out of the pass was hard but some cloud cover kept the temperature moderate.
May 2 – day 24 – camped mile 369.8 – hiked 15.9 miles
Got up at sunrise. It was warm early on which brought out the perfume of the wild lilac that I walked thru. It was intoxicating. As the trail ascended we got into a gorgeous forest of predominately Jeffery Pine.
I saw a hiker being dropped of where the trail crosses the Angeles Crest Highway and got a ride into Wrightwood. My eyes were on the burger prize in town as I stepped into the Yodeler for a pound burger and Imperial stout. Again this year I got a bunk at the Methodist camp on the edge of town. I cleaned and organized the rest of the day.
Mike, I am worried that you might have been abducted by aliens. There is 50 miles of unexplained walking and several missing days. Please have yourself checked by a medical professional.
Found the missing days! I was not abducted as suspected.