Day 31
Today’s Miles: 24.2
Total PCT Miles: 478.6
Last night was the worse night of sleep I had on the trail. Some hikers who obviously were taking a zero today sat around a bonfire talking loud and laughing until after midnight. I don’t begrudge people having a good time, but they should be a little considerate of others.
Our group of 8 were hiking at 5:00. The PCT ran along the road for a couple of miles. Shortly after it left the road we saw a coyote with her pup.
A cold front came through last night and it was cold and windy today. The low was in the 40s and the high around 60. When we stopped for lunch at the Oasis (picture below) it was 59. It did not take long for me to get chilled so I quickly got back to hiking.
We got to the San Francisquito Canyon Road a little after 3:00 PM, walked to a nearby ranger station, and called the Anderson’s for a shuttle. The Anderson’s Casa de Luna is famous on the trail. Tonight they are grilling hot dogs and hamburgers. They have a huge area behind the house and my tent is set up a long way from the house. I am looking forward to a good nights sleep.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 30
Today’s Miles: 0
Total PCT Miles: 454.4
Today was a zero day in Agua Dulce. After a nice night sleeping on a cot, I woke at 6:00 to a cool, cloudy morning. We even had a brief shower.
Several of us rode bikes the one mile into town for breakfast at the Sweetwater Cafe. The front tire on my bike went flat on the way to town and I thought I would have to walk it back. But, as luck would have it, the lady at the hardware store next door said she could repair it and she did for no charge because it was a “Saufley” bike. Then it was to the store to resupply.
Back at the Saufley’s, I put my name on the shower list. By the time my name came up, it was lunch time. So, after a quick shower, Bronco and I rode bikes back into town for lunch at the Big Mouth Pizza.
Back at the Saufley’s, we sat around relaxing until dinner time. Several of us walked to town for dinner at Maria Bonita’s Mexican restaurant. 12 of us had a great meal followed by ice cream.
So, we ate at every restaurant in Agua Dulce today.
Enjoyed the zero. Will be back on the trail early in the morning.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 29
Today’s Miles: 18.2
Total PCT Miles: 454.4
After a nice night’s sleep, we were hiking at 5:15. For the first couple of miles we still had to tiptoe around Poodle Dog Bush. (According to Ranger Todd, that is the last we will see.)
Once we were clear of the Poodle Dog Bush, the trail was mostly down hill and we made quick time to mile 444 and the Soledad Canyon Road.
We still had 8 miles to go to get to Saufley’s Hiker Heaven. They have cots for 50 and a 2 night limit. Word on the street was they were going to be full so I tried to up my speed and waited 3 hours to take a break.
I got to Saufley’s at 1:00 PM. Donna Saufley have me a tour of the complex. I found a coy, signed up for a ride to REI, and for a shower. I had a shower and turned in my dirty laundry. Then they were calling my name for REI.
REI was a 30 minute ride to Northridge. The may purpose of my trip was to try on shoes so I could tell Joyce what size to buy for my next replacements. The ride back to Hiker Heaven took an hour because it was rush hour traffic. We stopped at In & Out Burger on the way back and I got a double double burger and fries – yum.
After getting back to Hiker Heaven, we rode bicycles to Agua Dulce and had pizza at Big Mouth Pizza. Then it was back to Hiker Heaven. Just finished watching Castaway and heading to bed.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 28
Today’s Miles: 17.5
Total PCT Miles: 436.2
After two days of 20 plus miles, we decided to take a short day. Tomorrow we will have 18.2 into Agua Dulce and a zero.
We still had 10 miles of road walking this morning so we decided to get an early start. We were up at 4:30 and hiking by 5:15. (We being Bronco, Yankee Son, Hallmark, and myself.)
Two hours into the hike we came to a Memorial for those who lost their lives in the 2009 Station Fire. A little later we came to the Los Angeles Fire Station that burned in the fire. It was sort of eerie.
We made Messenger Flats Campground at 9:30. The first time I have hiked 10 miles by 10:00. From Messenger Flats to North Fork Ranger Station we were back on the PCT. We had to dance around the dreaded Poodle Dog Brush all the way We arrived here about 12:30 and have spent the rest of the day relaxing.
Sat around under the shade chatting with different hikers as they passed through and then played spades for a while. It is now 8:00 PM and I am going to bed.
Another good day on the PCT.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 27
Today’s Miles: 24.7
Total PCT Miles: 418.7
I was up at 5:30 and hiking at 6:10. We had 2 miles of road hiking to finish up the endangered species closure before getting back on the trail. About 4 miles into the hike we passed the 400 mile point. I was with Bronco, Fairway, Yankee Son, and Hallmark. We took a few photos and moved on with a renewed dedication to making it to Canada.
The rest of the morning the trail was for the most part level or downhill. As we crossed Three Points on Angeles Hwy, we encountered trail magic in the form of bananas and apples.
After an early lunch at Sulphur Springs, the trail ascended about 1600 feet. We encountered another stretch on poodle brush Then we were confronted by another trail closure caused by forest fire a few years back. We had a 4.6 road walk to the Mill Creek Summit Ranger Station.
Several hikers were lounging around the outside the station waiting for it to cool down before hiking another 10 miles. Fairway decided to join them.
A ranger showed us a pavilion out back that it would be okay to sleep under. Bronco, Yankee Son and Hallmark, Old Spice and Lotus, and I decided it would work very nicely for us.
I had a short but nice phonecall with Joyce today as well. She said she did not get my SPOT message last night. For those of you following my location, I sent it but it may have been blocked by the trees.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 26
Today’s Miles: 24.5
Total PCT Miles: 394
The manager of the Pines Motel drove Jim (Bronco) and I back to the PCT at 6:00. We were on the trail by 6:15. About 4 miles into the hike, we passed the below sign. Sort of puts things in perspective.
Then we had a long steady climb up to Mount Baden Powell. Great views. I took a picture but had my finger in front of the lens.
In the afternoon, we came to a spot where the PCT is closed for an endangered specie, the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog. The closed portion required walking the highway the rest of the day. The Buckhorn Campground is off the PCT on Highway 2.
Camping here this evening are Yankee Son and Hallmark, Fairway, Bronco, Mulestomper and Sky Pilot (section hikers and trail angels from San Diego), and myself.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 25
Today’s Miles: 0
Total PCT Miles: 369.5
Today was a scheduled Zero Day in Wrightwood. About half the hikers I came into town with yesterday opted to leave for the trail this afternoon, but five decided to hike out in the morning as scheduled.
Last night there was a big event in Wrightwood. They had their first ever baseball game under the lights. The ball park is right across the street from the Pines Motel so a few us walked across to the game. (See below photo). It was an enjoyable evening.
Today started with a trip back to the Evergreen Cafe for breakfast. Then it was back to the Pines Motel where we sat around some picnic tables talking and playing spades.
Lunch was a deli sandwich from Jensen’s Grocery. I plan to relax the rest of the afternoon, have pizza for dinner, and hike out in the morning.
The trail experience continues to be everything I expected and more. The people on and off the trail are amazing. Physically I am doing well. I had a blister on my right heel that bothered me for a couple of days, but the last two days on the trail my feet were fine.
L to R: Auto Pilot, Ice Man, Yankee Son, FairWay, Jim, Hallmark, and myself.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 24
Miles today: 4.9
Total PCT Miles: 369.5
After another good nights sleep, I woke at 5:00 AM and was on the trail by 5:30. With only 4.9 miles to the highway and a trail made for speed, I made good time and was standing on the highway hitching a ride by 7:15. 40 minutes passed without a single car going my way. By now there were several hikers looking for a ride.
The first car to come our way was a small, red mustang convertible with two young women in the front and a guy in the back. They said they could take two. The trunk was full but the driver said, “Put your packs on the back and just hold on, I’ll drive slow.” I not sure I would agree with her definition of driving slow, but 15 minutes later we were in front of the post office in Wrightwood. I collected my resupply box and walked up the road to the Pines Motel.
No rooms were available for check in when I arrived, but the manager let me check in and take a shower in the room I was going to get later. He gave me a laundry basket and told me to bring my dirty clothes to him after my shower, which I did.
Then it was off to the Evergreen Cafe for breakfast. Eight hikers enjoyed extra sized breakfasts and lots of coffee. I then when to the public library (right across the street from the Pines) and did a little personal business. The rest of the morning was spent relaxing under some shade trees talking with fellow hikers.
For lunch, it was off to Yodelers for lunch. The below is a picture of the Double Yodeler Burger. A trip to the local grocery for resupply followed.
The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing in the motel room. Tonight, I am thinking Mexican food.
I really like Wrightwood. It is a nice compact little town. After hiking almost 100 miles in 4 days, I am looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 23
Today’s Miles: 22.6
Total PCT Miles: 364.6
After a nice sleep at the Best Western, I took advantage of their hot breakfast and made the 20 minute wall back to the trail and was hiking at 6:40.
Today’s hike called for going from 3,000 feet to 8,200 feet in 20 miles. Despite the elevation gain, the hiking was fairly easy. The trail ascended gradually for the most part and there was a nice cool breeze.
Mid-afternoon, I had my first encounter with the infamous Poodle Bush. It is like poison ivy and poison oak, but worse. I think I avoided touching it.
There were already several hikers in camp when I arrived. I set up my tent and joined them around a camp fire. It was my first campfire since being on the trail and I must admit it was nice and relaxing.
As demonstrated by the below photo, we are back up to snow level. I expect a cool night. I intend to be on the trail early in the morning. I need to hike 5 miles to the highway and hitch to Wrightwood before the Post Office closes.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
Day 22
Today’s Miles: 25.1
Total PCT Miles: 342.1
After a good night’s sleep, I was up and hiking by 6:00 AM. The morning passed quickly as the trail followed a ridge line overlooking a valley with horse and cattle farms along a river.
After a brief climb in mid-morning, I was greeted with the below view of Silverwood Lake. For the next couple of hours, the trail followed the lake’s shoreline. About lunch time, I came to a picnic area and decided to take advantage of a picnic table in the shade, running water, and flush toilets. I spent a couple of hours relaxing, calling Joyce, and having lunch (mashed potatoes and tuna).
After lunch, it was a 1,000 foot climb to the top of Cleghorn Ridge. The rest of the afternoon the trail was made for speed. Unfortunately the wind was gusting and the vegetation often restricted fast movement. About 5:00, Chef from Atlanta passed me and commented that McDonalds in Cajon Pass was just a little over four miles away. With the thought of a large chocolate shake motivating me, the next 4 miles flew by and I was soon ordering a chocolate shake and quarter pounder.
With the wind still howling, I decided to get a room in the Best Western. A hot shower felt nice.
All in all, another good day on the PCT. Tomorrow, it is a 5000 foot elevation gain to Wrightwood.
Mike “Just Retired” Tarman
“Hiking to Honor Their Service”
Http://Hiking-the-PCT.com
