Previous Day Next Day Journal Home Gear List Home
Stopped at: Little Rock Creek, mile 393.4 Miles today: 21.5
Exactly a month ago I left Houston to be here in California hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
At 6:20 am, I woke up and gathered all my belongings to prepare to head over to meet Laurie for the ride to the trailhead on Highway 2. She was ready to head to work in San Bernandino, a 40-mile commute, as a medical librarian. Today, she would be late to work because of the selfishness of giving a stranger (not a completely stranger anymore) a ride. Laurie's 3 dogs knew she was leaving soon and layed down quietly as though they were soldiers in the army standing attention when a high ranking official appeared.
We reached the trailhead at 7:20 am, hugged, and she took a couple of pictures. I felt a sadness as I started up the trail and looking back knowing this was the final stage of Wrightwood, a town I had intended to pass briefly, but instead stayed a night. I was truly blessed yesterday to arrive in town and have a clean, free place to stay at the Methodist camp and meeting Laurie.
I never met Walt, Laurie's husband who was section hiking the trail further up north, but I know he's a very lucky man.
Unlike yesterday morning, today I felt rejuvenated (even though I didn't sleep too well) and hoped to do lots of miles. Unfortunately, there was a 2500 feet climb which took a long time; however, I was able to surpass the first 1500 feet nonstop, the strongest I have ever climbed. I had surprised myself considering I was carrying plenty of water and food.
The Wally Waldron tree, estimated to be 1500 years old, marked the apex of Mount Balden-Powell.
