Wrightwood - Acton, CA

Day 22 - 25 Mile 370 - 444

Today the trail kicked our butts! I'm not sure if it was because we had big day yesterday or if it was just plain tough. This morning, after a honey bun for breakfast, we headed up Mt. Baden-Powell, 9,300 feet. The trail then followed the ridge line down to Little Jimmy springs for lunch. After 14 miles we were toast. The weather was good and great temperatures, but still had wet shirts from sweat by the time we made it camp. After lunch we decided to continue another 6 miles. Those last 6 miles were exhausting especially since we took a wrong turn and had to back track a quarter mile. Most of the day was spent crossing large rock slides. If you didn't have good footing and fell, it would be a long slide with nothing to break your fall but some giant pine trees. Shadow said that this is Sierra Mountain training. If that's the case, I'm going to need every last 350 miles I have left to get in shape.
We crawled into camp and started dinner while putting on warmer clothes. There was almost a fight at dinner. For an appetizer I had an Almond Snickers and shared it with Shadow. He was munching on Pretzel M&Ms. When I asked where the rest of the M&Ms were, he said that he had eaten them all without sharing. I think our hiker hunger has set in.
I have a new alter ego trail name, Stink Bug. Shadow calls me that after being out on the trail after a couple days. Our white shirts are no longer white, but a tye dyed of tans and browns from sweat and dirt. I may need to find some fabric dye soon. There's a fine line between looking like a homeless person and a thru hiker.
That super fast resupply in Wrightwood may not have been a good decision. 8-9 days hiking without a day off is hard on the body.

As we broke camp at 6am this morning I heard someone whistling. Around the corner came Coach. A gentleman that had been in our mini bubble since Idyllwild. He's close to Shadows age and always has a big smile on his face. He had camped about a half mile from us last night.
The trail must have been listening to our moans the last 2 days and gave us exactly what we needed. The sky was high overcast that turned to a light sprinkle later in the day. Shadow and Coach bet a 6-pack on if it would rain. Technically it did, but every every little. The trail was the best part though, smooth with very few softball size rocks, unlike yesterday. We had a small detour do to for frog species that is almost extinct. Didn't bother us too much since the detour included a 3 mile road walk and saved us at least 2 miles on the PCT trail. By 2:30pm we had made it to our first planned stop of the day. Normally we have a regular length day (18-20 miles) and a long length day. Based on temperature and trail being mostly downhill, we completed our biggest day yet. 25 miles!
Today the topic of discussion was about food. Coach had us drooling after his description of Texas BBQ, then someone mentioned Chili Dogs. Our guidebook says that our next day off had a Chinese, Mexican, and Italian restaurant that delivered!
Since Wrightwood we have been crossing the Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2). It's very similar to the Blue Ridge Hwy that skirts the mountains, just on steroids. I don't know where it starts or finishes, but would highly recommend driving it.
Another thing I keep forgetting to tell you about are the hummingbirds. I'm surprised to see so many out here. They sound like a helicopter when they swoop by your head. We were swooped twice on our 4am wake up call the other morning, but this time it was bats heading back before the morning light.
A cold front must of moved in today. A cold breeze this evening. No complaints here. The Mojave desert is coming up and I'll be dreaming of my down jacket and insulated underwear.

It's been 9 days since Big Bear and tomorrow we will be walking into Action, Ca. 9 days without a shower, although we did take a dip in a lake one day. I am disgusted with myself. Our skin is not dark from a sun tan, it's dark from minuscule grains of dirt that fills in the wrinkles of our skin. We carry baby wipes, but they are are useless now. Our one allotted wipe per day is a joke. The wipe turns dark brown and you can't tell where we used it. We have been this dirty before on other hikes. I just forget what it feels like. Coach said that he knows it's time to go into town when he starts to stick to his sleeping bag.
It was an unusually cold morning with low clouds as we continued through a large burn area. The tall pine trees still stand with charred bark and no needles. Small wild flowers are blooming and I have been collecting them to dry between 2 pieces of paper. Speaking of drying things, this trail is the best when it coming to rinsing your socks. Assuming you find enough water to waste on washing. I can rinse my socks and shirt, hang them outside, and by morning they are dry. That's something we never had in New Zealand or the Appalachian Trail.
Today our guidebook regurgitated the same words of another dry and hot section. The clouds continued with a cool breeze and the day was perfect. Perfect except for two big obstacles, Poodle Dog Bush and Poison Oak. Both of which covered the trail. The person in front was in charge of alerting the others and we would move like ninjas trying not to touch the branches. The Poodle Dog has a distinct citrus-musty smell that would get your attention about 2 feet before passing. Some were little, 4 inches high, while others would be 5 feet tall.
Our descent back down to the desert is upon us. Back to the Chaparrals, cactuses, and other plants with pointy things.

For the first time we woke to a wet tent. Not from rain, but low clouds. We didn't care, because 8 miles away was Acton KOA, our day off. By 10am we were there. As usual, our priority was food and after a hitch into town we were sitting at a bar with cold beer and plenty to eat. Next was the grocery store to satisfy our chili dog fix. Back at the KOA I pre washed our socks and showered. The shower was amazing! The water went from black to brown to finally clear. The best news of the day was our new tent (StratoSpire 2 Tarp Tent). We ordered a larger one after seeing Zippy and Running Dog's giant one. Only 5 ounces more and so worth the extra room. Before Shadow and I would have to take turns moving. If not one of us would get an elbow in the face.
Our little bubble is back together minus Boa. He found his trail legs and is now off with Impala. The evening was spent talking about the trail and what is to come. Sharing stories under the stars.


Country Mouse & Shadow