Days 19-21: Silverwood Lake to Baden-Powell Summit

General thoughts from the trail.

Deep Creek is a gem that I had a vague knowledge of, but didn’t realize how beautiful it was. I have to add this to my list of places to return to.

Day 19

23 miles or so

From mile 320.1 elev 3563

Toward Cajon Pass at mile 341.9 elev 3112

Approximately Ascent 2400 Descent 2600

Camping: Cajón Pass Inn 🙂

People I walked with: Stinger

This stretch started on chaparral covered hills and Stinger caught up to me and we walked together for about 10 miles until I stopped for a lunch break. Stinger is an interesting guy. He is a former Army Ranger and had many funny stories that make the miles go by easily. On the way we were chatting when we realized we had lost our way. A bit of vertical climbing off the trail pushing us through the brush and we were on the trail again. Silverwood Lake was a nice surprise and we headed to a day use area to refill our water.

Silverwood Lake

The goal this day was McDonalds in Cajon Pass. When I arrived I was on my last legs due to the heat and covered 45 miles in 2 days. There was a group of day trippers at Mickey-D’s and we got a lot of looks from the cleaner and much less scruffy customers.

A group of happy, disheveled, full hikers.

The app, Far Out, listed upcoming campgrounds within 7 miles of McDonalds, so I decided to get a hotel room for the night. Of course, that means washing my clothes in the sink. You have to take advantage of the opportunity when you can.

Day 20

27 miles or so

From the Cajon Pass

To Wrightwood

Up 6102 Down 3241

Campsite: Cedar Lodge

People I walked with: Stinger and Sunkist

This day was hot with little shade. I started with 4 liters of water, even though there was a water tank 6 miles away. The water tanks are maintained by volunteers and are often located in places without water.

water cache

Tawna and Lou are the Trail Angels who maintain the important water reservoir before the big climb to Wrightwood. Everyone appreciates your charity. Mahalo Nui Loa for them.

I consumed a liter that morning and refilled it for the 16 mile climb to Acorn Trail. I made a big mistake by not doing my research and should have brought 5 liters because I didn’t take the Acorn Trail into account. I was down to 1/2 liter after the big, hot, shadeless climb and still had 4 miles left up the Acorn Trail to Wrightwood.

Conserving water on a hot day is not smart and this was serious business.

I happily made it into town and quickly found the local brewery to “rehydrate.” I tried their beers, all good, and decided on a porter and the Knuckle Sandwich.

Day 21

20.6 miles

From Wrightwood

Two mile marker 379.5 student 8687

Up 6368 Down 3707

Camping: only on the Baden-Powell slopes

People I walked with: Sunkist

The morning started with coffee and pastries at Village Grind, breakfast at Grizzly, and then picking up a resupply box at Mountain Hardware. Wrightwood is a very hiker friendly town and the hardware store had a great selection for hikers.

Mountain Hardware Hiker Resupply

Leaving Wrightwood, I took the steep Acorn Trail and continued. After passing the Mountain High ski area I had a first for myself. As I paused looking for the trail, I heard a loud CRACK and looked to see a dead tree falling and a cloud of dust appearing. We read about the dangers of dead trees and not camping near them. Seeing one fall is a reality check. Sunkist caught up with me and we walked together for a while until I stopped to get water from Lamel Spring. There I met Lil’ Bear, Robinhood, Lolly and Sara (from Switzerland). I continued and reached the top of Mount Baden-Powell.

The Wally Waldron Tree is below the summit and is considered the oldest tree in the San Gabriel Mountains. It is estimated to be 1500 years old.

Me on top of Mount Baden-Powell, elev 9407

I continued for about another mile and found a nice campsite.

Next up is a walk down the closed Highway 2 and the not-so-smart Mexican food push at Agua Dulce.

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