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Wrightwood
Zero day in Wrightwood. Was busy doing resupply and getting stuff that I need for the next leg which is about a 4 day run. Had a nice time in town. Got some free hotdogs and coffee, this town treats hikers great. The weather was absolutely beautiful, enjoyed just hanging out and watching the world go by. The house was very lively. Lots of leg wrestling, thumb wrestling and well, wrestling-wresting. Also there were some intense board games as well. Emily’s parents were down and shuttled us around which was great. All in all a great day.
Getting freebies in Wrightwood
Had a great zero in this cabin
Baden-Powell
The next day started by saying a sad goodbye to section hiking pals Ruben and Ellie. Then Emilie’s mom and another trail angel drove all 17 of us to the trail in multiple trips. We had 7 in a 5 seat SUV with all the packs. We had to drive about 20 miles around some burn areas that were closed for repair. It was a long ride with someone on your lap. Then everyone in the back started feeling like they were getting carsick. Finally got to the drop off but had to road walk another almost 3 miles to get to the trail. Since it was Easter, one guy left chocolate eggs out for us to find along the trail which was cool. The big climb of the day was Baden-Powell. It was a long climb complicated by sections of snow. The worst section was about .5 miles from the top when the trail disappeared in snow. The final assent back up to over 9000 ft was a scramble straight up the mountain. Thanks again PCTA for not having trail markings like the AT does. Anyway, once we got on top the whole bubble gang was there. It was a very festive atmosphere. A very large snowball fight broke out that lasted for about 30 minutes. And then before we headed off the mountain the sweetest thing happened. My main hiking partners Antonis and Indre got engaged. Antonis gave us a heads up it was going to happen so we were able to capture on video. With snow capped mountains in the background and total silence for miles around, Antonis got on one knee and presented a ring he had been carrying since the beginning of the trail. It was a beautiful moment that brought a tear to my eyes. The rest of the day was navigating back down the mountain and making our way to a great campsite. When we got there, some of the hikers had started a fire in the fire ring which was really nice. It was my first on trail fire. It was a good day.
Easter eggs were left for us to find on the trail Easter morning.
The gang on top Baden-Powell
Nice views on the way up Baden-Powell
Marriage proposal on top Baden-Powell
Mount Williamson
Had a great nights sleep. Got up and out a little later than I wanted but made pretty good time getting up Mount Williamson which is the last of the big mountains before we get to the Sierras. Had a nice break at the summit and then got in a good pace down the mountain. Had to do a road walk around a closed section of trail due to protection for an endangered frog species. Had lunch at a nice little park with a stream. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful as we made our way to Sulphur springs campground. Later in the evening got a nice surprise when our section hiking friends Ellie and Ruben showed up with Emilie’s mom and dad. They brought some champagne and other trail magic to celebrate the engagement of Antonis and Indre.
Views on the way to Mount Williamson
Me next to a cool tree near the top of Mount Williamson
Hike to Messenger Flat
Did not have a good night’s sleep. Was hot in the middle of the night then got super cold and couldn’t warm up. I got out of camp about 6:30 which is late for me. The rest of the gang was in no hurry to leave so I hiked the morning by myself which was nice for a change. Toward the end of the morning I started getting terrible pain in the toes and pad of my foot. Stopped at a fire station where they had water, I did a nice long lunch with some of the crew. After lunch, shortly into the hike I started getting the same pain again in both feet. I don’t think my new shoes have a stiff enough sole. Pain is like the sound track of thru-hikes. It’s always something, but this foot pain was debilitating and such a mental drag. It just made me tired. Seemed like it was worse on the up-hills and we had three big climbs for the day so that was probably why I was having so much trouble. I got through the day and stopped at Messenger Flat campground. It was a long 24 mile day. Tomorrow is town day in Acton!
Town Day in Acton
Had a decent night, didn’t get to cold. Ready to get into town and get cleaned. Everything was super dirty and I was disgusting. Had a pretty chill morning walk. Got out to the overlook and the entire valley below was covered in fog. It was really spectacular. I was pretty focused on getting into town so I just put my head down and walked. 14 miles to get to Acton, CA. As I started getting close to town, I was walking along and stepped in a small wash out and dropped to my hands and knees in the dirt. When I did, my large water bottle fell out and slid down the washout under the bushes. I needed that water to get into town so I had to go after it. It was a very steep drop off so basically I slid down. Luckily the bottle got hung up in a bush and didn’t slide all the way down. I got the bottle and scrambled up the loose dirt. By the time I got back up to trail I was so irritated that I let out a string of cuss words that would have made Clark Griswold proud. Then I may have hit a bush with my hiking pole. I was covered in dirt. Decided to rock it out the rest of the way to town and listened to a couple Boston albums. Got into Acton and currently staying in the back area of the 49’s Saloon. The owner likes hikers so they accommodate us. Of course we drink a lot of beer and eat a lot of food.
Fog settled into the valley on the morning of the hike to Acton
Fog below the trail line.
49’s Saloon had giant burgers
Beers and Burgers were great at 49’s Saloon
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