We only had a short hike of about 8 miles to ‘Nero’ into Big Bear. It was a beautiful clear morning with a slight breeze and yet there was talk on the trail of some moisture moving into the area with some possible snow at higher elevations. We didn’t expect much of the storm because last time we heard about rain nothing happened.
We got a quick hitch into Big Bear and found a hotel for the night and shortly after arriving our good friend Brando arrived with his mom (who we ran into in Idyllwild) and they brought a bunch of good beer from San Diego! We all went to lunch and then just hung around the hotel and chatted for the afternoon. It’s always so nice to be able to get together with friends and family while out on the trail. Thanks again for visiting!
The following morning we woke to SNOW! The cars in the parking lot were covered, the streets were buried and the mountains on the other side of the lake in the distance were white. How lucky we were to have headed into Big Bear for the night. I almost felt guilty for having spent the night in a warm hotel with a fireplace. It would have been kind of fun to have been out there while it snowed. Cold, but fun.
Today was our zero day and we had made plans to get picked up by Sugarpine’s cousin and taken to Lake Arrowhead for the night. She picked us up at Von’s after we shopped for the next few days of food. While we were waiting, a stranger who had done the PCT years ago offered to buy us some Starbucks and chatted with us for a while about how the trail had changed, why we were on the trail, and life adventures in general. People on the trail are just great!
We took the drive with Kathleen from Big Bear to Lake Arrowhead and there was even more snow on the way out. We arrived at a beautiful house that one of Sugarpine’s relatives own. It felt so nice to be in a real house, and not a hotel. There was even a trail that led to a dock on the lake! We got comfortable while dinner was made and she even treated us to some beer! We worked on making a sign for hitch hiking. We wrote “Hikers to Town” on one side, and “Hikers to Trail” on the other. For dinner we had amazing veggie tacos with quinoa and beans. It was outstanding! We did our laundry, showered and relaxed with Kathleen. We woke up to the smell of veggie sausage, eggs, and coffee. It was so hard to leave after having such a nice day off.

Kathleen dropped us off at the trail the next morning. After taking two zeros and a nero it was almost painful to hike. Our packs felt heavy and almost foreign. We must have gotten too relaxed in town! The vortex had sucked us in! We started to notice a weird sound a few miles into the trail. It sounded like a heartbeat. What was it?! We hiked a little further. It was techno! But it was coming from deep in the mountains! It was alright at first, but after hiking 18 miles hearing it, and then all through the night, and into the morning wasn’t alright. It never stopped. A few hikers joked about a rave in the mountains, another thought it was accidentally left on at a rental cabin. Either way, we finally hiked far enough to where we couldn’t hear it anymore.

We hiked along a creek for a couple days. The creek was called Deep Creek, and one of the spots along the creek had hot springs. It was really fun relaxing in the hot springs, then jumping into the cold creek. There were lots of old naked locals, but as more and more PCT hikers arrived, we took over the area and the naked locals covered up. There was even a guy wearing a loin cloth going by the name of Tarzan, who had been living there. We left the hot springs and kept hiking for a few hours before setting up camp for the night.

A few days later we hiked to the 15 freeway were we stopped at McDonalds. We actually ate McDonalds! It had been a long time, but it was actually really good!

Mama Lingo dropped us off at the trailhead after our stay in Idyllwild. We hiked about 2.5 miles up the Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction, where we hooked back up with the PCT. After hiking just a few miles through this environment it reminded us of the Sierras. The trees were big and there was even snow along the trail. We took a side trip up to the top of Mount San Jacinto, the second highest peak in Southern California at 10,834 ft. We had been wanting to do that hike while living in San Diego, and being so close to the trail it was a perfect opportunity. We hiked until the sunset to make it to a camp spot known as “the parking lot.” It’s a big open dirt area that allows you to camp right before the long decent down Fuller Ridge.

We woke up the next morning ready to hike from the mountains down to the desert floor. It is only 4 miles straight down, but stretched over 16 miles of switchbacks. The ridge consisted of overgrown thorny bushes we had to hike through, which wasn’t fun because it was extremely hot and we were wearing shorts. There was very little shade, but when we did find some we all congregated around it to cool down. Lots of us had our sun umbrellas out as well. A few hikers encountered rattlesnakes, but Lingo and I didn’t see any. When we finally got to the bottom there was a faucet where we all got water. A couple of hikers ran out of water before getting to the faucet, so one of their friends named Choop Choop hiked a bunch of water back UP the ridge to help them. The day wasn’t over for us once we got to the faucet. We still had another few miles to hike to our destination at trail angel’s Ziggy and The Bear’s house. Along the way we were the recipients of some trail magic! We got beer from Lightening Rod’s father in law, Jim.

We finally got to Ziggy and The Bear’s house around dinner. Their place was so wonderful! We were fed a big salad while sitting on a couch outside where they offered all of us foot soaks! After the soak we were handed warm clean towels so we could take showers in a solar-powered shower house. We set up our sleeping bags outside where their whole backyard is lined with carpet bolted to the ground so everyone could “cowboy camp.” Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, we were offered a heaping bowl of ice cream. I got cookies n cream! It was such a wonderful end to a long tough day. I am very appreciative to have gotten to stay there.

The next morning we left and hiked through a wind farm. The sky was overcast, and the windmills looked pretty as they turned. This day there were lots of winding trails, and it reminded me of some of Dr. Seuss’s drawings in The Places You’ll Go. We stopped for lunch at a place called Whitewater Preserve. It used to be a trout farm, but now the trout just swim around in big man-made ponds. The park had grassy lawn, picnic tables, water, and a bathroom! What a nice surprise being in the desert. The hike up the windy hills after lunch was tough though. It was so windy we could barely walk! We got to our destination at Mission Creek around 4pm, filtered water, and set up our tent. It was so nice to get there early and be able to relax! It was warm that night, so Lingo and I zipped our bags together so we could cuddle!

The next day we hiked 15 miles to Mission Springs Trail camp where we would be filling up our water before another long dry stretch. It was around 5:30pm when we were about to leave and hike another 5 miles to make it a 20 mile day. We each had about 5 liters of water. We started to hike out when we realized Lingo had water dripping from the bottom of his backpack. When we finally opened his backpack the platypus (water reservoir) had broke at the seam. Water leaked down the inside of his pack and got on his down sleeping bag, tent, and jacket. It was going to get dark in a couple of hours, and it was more important to get his sleeping bag dry before nightfall than to hike another 5 miles. We tried to dry everything out before bed. The temperature started to drop, and there was a crisp cool breeze. Lots of other hikers got to camp as we were getting in bed. We were kind of grouchy and unsocial because of the water and lack of more mileage for the day. We thought it would cheer is up to zip our sleeping bags together again, so we did. Bad idea. It was so cold that night that all of our water bottles froze. Our bags, since zipped together, weren’t able to cinch tightly around our necks to keep the heat from escaping. Our breath created condensation on the inside of our tent because of the cold, and the condensation then turned to frost. The frost started to melt and then drip all over our sleeping bags! I was freezing! We noticed all this around 4 am, and were too tired to do anything. We woke up an hour later, and strapped our wet tent to the outside of our backpack. At lunch later that day we took out our tent and sleeping bags to dry in the sun.

That day we hiked past the “animal cages.” I was looking forward to seeing the animals. They are celebrity animals! Boy was that also a bad idea! It was so depressing when we hiked by. In teeny tiny cages I saw a grizzly bear. It was hot out, and he had no shade. He sat slumped over, and looked very depressed. It made me upset to see such a magnificent creature in a cage. We hiked on. We came across a big tool box with “pct magic” written in spray paint. We opened it up and there was soda and a log book! We sat on the very convenient couch located there on the side of the trail and enjoyed the treats! We camped about 10 miles outside of the highway leading to Big Bear that night.

The next morning we hiked to the highway. It would be our first real road hitch. We took off our hats and sunglasses, and put on big friendly smiles. Lingo stuck his thumb out while I waved. It took about 12 cars but we got a ride into Big Bear Lake! A hotel, shower, pizza, and friends from San Diego would be in town that day. It was a great day!

After leaving Warner Springs, we climbed up into the mountains to trail angel Mike Hererra’s house. The hike was long and hot, with hardly any wind. I developed a rash from the Warner Springs laundry detergent, and felt pretty exhausted by the time we made to Mike’s. There we refilled our water, got a Tecate, set up our tent, and were fed dinner. They were very conscious of vegetarians, and out Boca Burger crumbles in our spaghetti instead of meat. Thanks!

The mountains that morning

Sign outside of Mike Herrera’s

The next day we dropped back into the desert. It was another vey hot long day, but we took a long lunch break at a water source that had shade. This water source had a hose to get our water, so it was easy and convenient! I even soaked my hair to help cool down. There were multiple hikers hanging out, trying to beat the heat. It was probably one of the hottest days so far. We pushed up some mountains, and a mile before we stopped for the night, I was getting really tired. The path had lots of black sticks, and I totally hit one while walking, except this stick moved! It wasn’t a stick after all.. It was a snake! He was big, and very wiggly and snake like. It startled me so much a started to cry. It wasn’t a rattlesnake, and I’m not even scared of snakes because I’ve seen so many. I was just super startled.

Snacks

Trying to stay cool

We found a wonderful spot to camp that night on a ridge between some boulders. It was my favorite spot we’ve camped so far. It was warm that night, and the sunset was beautiful. We made mac n cheese with “chicken” and some Tapatio.

The next morning we only had to hike about 8 miles to the famous Paradise Valley Cafe. Two bikers out on the patio were amazed by our packs, and asked us lots of questions. They thought what we were doing was so neat. One of he bikers mentioned a tattoo he got with his daughter, and it said “embrace the journey of life.” I felt a warming in my heart, because on my mom’s memorial we have engraved a saying she loved, “embrace the journey.” I didn’t tell the biker how happy it made me, but I felt my moms presence, and it was really nice. Lingo and I went inside to eat. He got the Jose Burger with a veggie patty, and jalapeños, and I got a burger with chutney and chipotle mayo. Yum! We signed the PCT log book. The plan was to hitch into Idyllwild because of a trail closure due to a bad fire. Upon leaving to go hitch a ride, a really sweet couple offered to drive us! They were very friendly, and we had a great conversation while they drove us to Idyllwild. Thanks James and Phyllis!

Yum!

The couple that gave us a ride

We enjoyed the next day in Warner Springs by not hiking any miles, our first “Zero Day” of the trip. The community center has a great set up during the thru hiker season to help us out. We enjoyed a great pancake breakfast that mooring when they opened up. The guy cooking was nice enough to swap out our sausage for an extra pancake because we’re vegetarian. Breakfast came with eggs, which was a gamble because neither of us like eggs. Turns out after 100 miles on the trail eggs are GREAT!

It was so windy that a baby bird had fallen out of the tree. We all sat around watching the bird. It was “hiker tv.” He wasn’t able to fly yet, so he hopped over to Troll.

Breakfast

A baby bird found shelter between Troll’s feet

Lingo and Troll helped put the baby bird back in the tree

We had to get our resupply package from the post office when they opened and there was a guy helping shuttle hikers back and forth. Troll hooked it up with two cans of TVP which is a fake meat substitute high in protein, both chicken and beef flavor! Thanks Troll. After we all got our resupply boxes we sat in the lawn in a circle and pretended we were opening Christmas presents. Some trading went on between us, and some of us sent ourselves too much food, which we then donated into the “hiker box.”

We took advantage of the wifi and updated a few blog posts while the sweet volunteers washed a load of laundry for us. When the clothes came out they smelled so good! Unfortunately Sugarpine is allergic to perfumed liquid laundry detergent, and had forgotten to ask what detergent they use to wash the clothes. She broke out the next day in a horrible rash.

We hung out on the lawn all day socializing and relaxing with all the hikers. It felt really good to rest our aching muscles.

Seven days in and we were up at sunrise again near the Third Gate water cache. As we broke camp, Troll was on his way out and wished us well, and Rob, Michaela and Happy feet were all waking up and taking down their tents as well. Michaela came over to say good morning with a gallon size freezer bag full of oreos for breakfast, perfect hiker fuel. We had some water to get from the water cache before heading toward the next water source at Barrel Spring. While at the water cache we met a new crew of guys and a gal that cowboy camped near the water. They were nice and greeted us and suspected it was the crew that rolled in late the prior night. They had just finished the Appalachian Trail and were very lively.

Micaela with her Oreo breakfast

Hiking out that day had a climb out and back to the trail that skirted the San Felipe hills until dropping in elevation down to Barrel Spring. We passed a few people on the way, some weekenders that had some dogs and some people we camped near at the Third Gate water cache. Before hitting the water source we passed our first important milestone. The 100 mile marker!!!

100 Miles! Woo!

At Barrel Spring we filtered a few liters of water ate some lunch and met up with some people that we had met on the trail and we even met some new people. It seems like everyday we’ve been on trail we have had the opportunity to meet some new people, and they have all been great.

After about an hour lunch break we started to head onward to Warner Springs for the night,which has a Community Center set up that helps the thru hikers with Breakfast and Lunch, Laundry, Showers and a place to set up a tent for the night. The scenery really changed from the San Felipe hills with a steep drop to rolling grass hills with oak trees bordering the edges. Some hikers have said that this was their favorite part of the trail. It had beautiful flowers, and a really cozy feeling. We hit Eagle Rock about two hours before sundown and decided to wait for Rob, Michaela and Rocket Llama that were just a little behind us. Eagle Rock is a big rock outcropping that when you walk around the backside of looks like an eagle with wings outstretched.

The flowers in the rolling hills

Lingo hanging out in front of Eagle Rock

Warner Springs!!

After our break at Eagle Rock we started the last of our day to the community center to set up camp and we started discussing the idea of taking our first “Zero Day” the following day to rest up a bit. The last few miles felt like they took forever to get to camp and we made it their with about half an hour to spare before the sunset. We were greeted by Troll at the community center with a box of pizza and offered us all a slice. We got to finally meet Medicine Man, who hikes with a full Wilderness EMT first aid kit and is a hiking machine. We set up our tent, made some dinner, took a bird bath in the restrooms and chatted it up with the others camped in the lawn outside the community center and were done for the day by 9pm.

We started out by filtering some water out of the horse trough at about 6:30am to a gorgeous sunrise to the east of us. There was a sign warning us of non-cosumable water for horse consumption only. But a hikers gotta get their water somehow in the desert. Rob and Troll were about 15 minutes ahead of us leaving camp and Michaela was bringing up the rear. The plan for the day was to make it to the next water source at Rodriguez fire tank and figure it out from there. On the maps there was some campsite between the fire tank and Scissors Crossings at mile 77. Sugarpine and I were feeling ambitious for the day and wanted to go all the the way and maybe get a hitch into Julian for the night, rest up and take care of some blisters but we would have to see.

Chas after breaking camp

Chas

Again the hike was beautiful with a view down into Anza Borrego and then we made a drastic drop down into Chariot Canyon and it was already heating up by about 9am. We stopped to snack, let our feet cool down and slather on some sunscreen before continuing on as it was heating up. Sugarpine had to change into shorts and put some Desatin on her chafe. After about 2 miles we ran into Rob and Troll who had also decided to take a little break but only a little bit ahead of us. We said Hi and would continue on to the fire tank. it was really warm by the time we got there, we were able to filter a few liters of water and find a shady spot to take a little rest for about an hour or two. Just as we were about to start putting our shoes back on Michaela made it to the fire tank and we started to brainstorm on what we should do for the evening.

Best Corn Nuts ever!

We called some hotels in Julian to see if space was available if we did continue on for another 8 miles or so to Scissors Crossings to make the hitch up the hill for the night. Turns out everything in town was full because it was a Friday. So then it hit me, I got the idea to call the best trail wizard I know of, MOM!!! She said she would love to come pick us and our new friends up and let us shower and do some laundry and then shuttle us back to the trail the next morning. We were so excited!

The amazing view as we approached the desert

The whole way down to Scissors Crossing we were talking about the fun night ahead of us at home. We strategically planned how we would first go to the grocery store and do a little resupply, then pick up dinner, then go home to do laundry, shower, and soak our feet. Sugarpine and I really wanted cheap pizza so we thought of Little Caesars. When Rob and Micaela met up with us they said they had been craving “slutty food, like Little Caesars.” How perfect! We all wanted Little Caesars! The funny thing is, is that in our normal lives none of us like to eat that crap. Must be a starving hiker thing.

Beautiful desert flowers

Sugarpine spotted this guy

He was a big one! Poor guy was scared of us though

Some more beautiful flowers

When we got to Scissors Crossing it was 6pm and my Mom was waiting for us. As we approached her, we each hugged her and were amazed at how good she smelled. She smelled wonderful! I guess we just all stunk so bad, and were used to each other’s stinky stench for the last 5 days. We piled into her car, and had to roll down the windows for the drive into town.

It was close to 7pm when we got to the grocery store. We hadn’t had time to clean up before town like hikers should. We hobbled into the store, dirty, smelly, and limping. We looked homeless. We were hobbling around the store, staring at all the candy and food. I think people thought we were on drugs or something. We got such weird stares. I guess it’s because it’s not a town that gets thru-hikers, so our “hiker style” looked foreign.

After the grocery store, we went to Little Caesars and each ordered our own pizza and side of crazy bread. We went home, each took a shower, and sat on the front porch. My mom and little brother filled up tubs of hot water and epsom salts for each of us. We sat on the porch, pizza in lap, feet soaking, resting after our 17 miles we just hiked. We were finally clean and full. What a long day we had, and what a wonderful way to end it!

Rob and Micaela soaking their feet

Sugarpine and Chas soaking their feet