May 19 — Day 18
Off trail mile 266.1 to Big Bear Hostel
Hiked 16.9 miles today. It was a cold night with light snow at dawn. The snow started to accumulate as I was packing up. It was a cold walk in the storm. I met 3 other thruhikers rushing to get to Big Bear “as quickly as possible.” I wouldn’t mind that either. The last part of the trail before getting off at highway 18 was representing Great Basin spring colors. I was running low on battery power again and was saving what was left for a phone call to Papa Smurf (trail angel) or the Hostel. At the trailhead the was a trail angel waiting for me with hot coffee and cookies. The three I had seen were in the passenger seats of the trail angel’s station wagon. He was a local and a temporarily off trail thruhiker. He drove us to the Hostel. I was very thankful that it was so easy to get into town. Got myself and clothes cleaned and electronics fully charged for once. There are loads of thruhikers here, in fact, I think the only people staying at the Hostel now and it’s full.
May 18 — Day 17
Camped mile 249.2 hiked 16.9 miles today. More climbing along the upper stretches of Mission Creek. Higher still got some nice views looking out towards San Jacinto and closer San Gorgonio. I hadn’t seen these views before due to weather. It’s impressive looking back on where I had come from. Camped pretty early in the day and got into my sleeping bag as it was really getting cold.