Day 27 – 18 Apr 19. The slow rush to Wrightwood

Today 20.3 km (12.6 mi), Total Distance 594.3 km (369.3 mi). 5 hours 25 minutes (0655-1220)

It was a lot warmer during the night. Very early I heard FOG starting to pack up which I was happy with as town days it is good to start early so I get too town early. There was a beautiful sunrise, not something I am up early enough to see often.

The trail was on the opposite side of the hill as yesterday afternoon and there were great views to the snowy hills across the valley. It started out quite open and then went into some pine trees. The temperature had warmed up really quickly and the shade was a welcome relief.

I was feeling good except for my heels from my shoes. I had put a blister patch on the other side so now both heels were protected with a little padding to try and stop the collapsed heels of my shoes causing any more damage.

The trail continued climbing at a steady rate. I stopped for a break about an hour after starting and was back to my normal snacks, no more MacDonald’s treats. When I thought I was near the top the trail turned a corner and I saw there were several more hills ahead. For a short stretch I could see the views out to the right and it was flat desert way below.

I caught up to a neat couple; Muffin Cheeks and Whitewalker. We had a brief chat before I overtook them.

There was a flattish plateau and I came across my first patches of snow. I made a fuss about being back in the snow, not knowing what was waiting ahead.

There started to be more and more snow patches and there was one section where the snow was really icy and the footprints were not well defined. I followed other people and dropped below the snow patch, climbing back up loose soil. I could have put my crampons on but it was such a short stretch I couldn’t be bothered.

There was now a heavy patch of snow and I was struggling to find the path. There was a road 5 meters away to the left which had less snow and I think a lot of people were taking that.

I came to the intersection with Acorn Trail which will take you down to Wrightwood in only 2.5 miles. The only problem is I would have to come back up it. I continued on as the road to hitch into Wrightwood was only another 6 miles, little did I know how slow that would be.

I thought the snow was clearing but it was only a temporary reprieve and it got thicker. There were very few tracks and they were barely defined. There were several sections where I was having to edge to get down and along the slopes.

I came around a corner and could see the curve of the hill that this was now a really thick area of snow on a very steep slope. I decided it was now Crampon time and I am glad I did put them on. I considered this next section more difficult than Apache Peak and Fuller Ridge. It was very steep and there were no footprints for several sections. There was a long runoff below in some places. The snow was changing consistency frequently from hard and icy to soft and slushy. It took a long time to get through this section and I was being very careful.

Finally I emerged across a big snowfield onto a track, only a few meters from the PCT marker. The few footprints had not always been following the trail and it was often hard to see where to go.

Now I was in a different world. Hot and open with no snow. It was beside a dried up pond. As the trail joined the road I could see two people in front of me.

The trail dropped down beside some chair lifts, we were at a ski field. Then I dropped slightly below the track but recovered and crossed a road before the track continued. There were a few small patches of snow but nothing bad.

I caught up to the people, it was Muffin Cheeks and Whitewalker. They had taken the much quicker and safer road option. We walked together for the rest of the way to the road. The road came out at a carpark and lookout.

Muffin Cheeks

Whitewalker

We walked up the road to a good hitching spot and saw some people at the viewpoint. We asked if they were going past Wrightwood and they were. They were nice enough to squeeze the three of us into the small car and dropped us off at Mountain Hardware in Wrightwood.

This is the central point for PCT hikers in Wrightwood. It is a hardware store but had created a section selling PCT specific food and equipment. They have an area out back to hang out, drop packs and recharge electronics. They also have a register for hikers to fill out and a Trail Angel book.

I needed to get to REI for new shoes and phones Caren who was listed as the transport angel. She offered to take me there that night and then asked where I was staying. When I said I did not know yet she arranged space for me at Bear With Us, a lodge at $25 a night. Caren then came to the store and drove me to the lodging, only a couple of blocks from the main town.

The lodge was amazing. It is a house with kitchen, dining room, bathroom and bedrooms and the hikers spread out in the bedrooms. I had my own room with a Queen Bed. There were towels and shampoo in the bathroom and I had robes and slippers in my room. There were two other hikers there; Bookworm and Trooper. Later FOG arrived as well. I had met him outside the hardware store and put him onto Caren for her contacts to find accommodation.

I dropped my pack and went to the Evergreen Cafe which Caren recommended. She was right it was really good. I had a burger and then thought I would have a small desert ordering the blackberry cobbler which ended up being huge with several scoops of ice cream as well.

Back at the lodge I had a shower and washed my clothes before relaxing.

I chilled out until Caren turned up to take me to the REI 30 miles away. Amazing that she did this for me.
The REI did not have shoes my size which was a worry. They did have a hat though so I was pretty happy. I also picked up an Ice Axe, sit pad and some small things.

Back at the lodge I crashed early.

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