PCT Week 4: Mile 307 to 402

Day 22: 307-328

After a good, relaxing night’s rest, we headed back to the trail and more ridges along Deep Creek. The morning was still cold and every step up the canyon into the shade brought cold, while just 5 minutes later returning to the morning sunlight brought warmth. Oscillating between the two until about 9am, when the sun had risen high enough to warm the air. Leaving the canyons brought beautiful views of Mount San Antonio (Mount Baldy) in the distance as we approached Silverwood Lake State Park. Some short walks along the road and a quick climb were greeted by beautiful views of the lake. If I wasn’t so tired after 15 miles of hiking, I might have been able to enjoy it a little more. We camped at the state park campground, even though it was about 0.7 miles off the trail, it was nice to have amenities like water and bathrooms after three days in the backcountry.

Silverwood Lake

Day 23: 328-347

The day warmed up quickly, but I was also walking quickly, with a double quarter pounder in mind at the McDonalds in Cajon Pass, mile 342. 14 miles in 5.5 hours, just in time for lunch. I enjoyed the air conditioning and the opportunity to charge my phone and battery to go up to Wrightwood. I spent a lot of mental energy debating whether to take it easy and hit the city on Saturday, or push ahead with a 22 mile day with over 6000′ of elevation gain. I had plenty of food, but I also had my eyes on a zero in the city, maybe two zeros to rest before a long section. These internal debates and indecisions end up clouding my mind and often take me out of the beautiful experience I am in. “Am I putting in too many zeros”? “Will I lose my hiking legs”? “Will I regret this later, when I fall behind my plan or am interrupted along the way”? Why is it so hard for me to be here now, absorbing every experience I can have? I’m starting to question too many things and plan to revisit my why at Wrightwood, realign my intentions, and take a break from the stress I’ve put on my body.

Day 24: 347-369

I woke up around 5am and was on the road by 6am to beat the heat during the long climb. While it is physically challenging, I am starting to enjoy these long climbs from the desert to the mountains: watching the landscape change from bushes and cacti to towering trees after about 6500′, the smell of the forest, feeling the cool wind as you approach the mountain ridges. Seeing the snow-capped mountains I had once seen in the distance, to now be just a valley away from me. I also looked back the way I had come, seeing the snowy San Gorgonio in the distance. Just five days ago, it was right in front of me as I walked on the lake in Big Bear. I had covered 103 miles in 5 days, a goal that once seemed distant (20 mile days) had become a habit and I’m just getting started. The accomplishment was made somewhat somber by the fact that I finished this objective in the charred remains of what was once a beautiful forest outside of Wrightwood, with over 54,000 acres damaged by the Bridge Fire in 2024. As they work to clear the burned dead trees, sections of the trail become impassable and hikers are forced to take the forest road parallel to where the PCT once was. After about 9 miles of hiking through the burned area, I arrived at the inspiration point and was greeted with some amazing trail magic from trail angel Lt. Dan and a beer to celebrate my long day.

Bridge fire burn scar

Day 25 and 26: Wrightwood zeroes

With very sore feet I was able to rest, do town chores, finish watching “Listers” and catch up on publications and spend time with my girlfriend. Grateful for giving me time to rest and recover, even though sometimes I feel like I’m falling behind. For me it is important to let my body continue to recover and adapt to a very different physical reality than it was just a month ago.

Day 27: 369-383

My girlfriend dropped me off at the inspiration point trailhead around noon. It was already a cold and windy day, and it was only going to get worse. As I climbed toward Mount Baden Powell, I wished I could do it with just one or two days of food instead of five or six. The extra weight of the backpack pushed me down as each step became more challenging. Small patches of snow also slowed the climb. When I reached the top, it was covered in fog and there was only about 100 feet of visibility. The wind was icy and whipping. I received a quick photo from another hiker and immediately continued on. As I made my way down the ridge, the fog and wind continued to make the hike bitterly cold. I couldn’t keep my hands warm and I regretted not having warmer gloves. Along the way, the wind blew ice off the trees. It started sleeting and then snowing just as I reached the campsite on Little Jimmy Trail. I quickly set up my tent and bundled up for a cold night. I could see the snow piling up on and around my tent as I zoned out.

Summit of Mount Baden Powell without views in fog and wind

Day 28: 383-402

Received half an inch of snow overnight. When I woke up, I noticed that I had placed a shoe too close to the edge of the hall and that melted snow from my tent was dripping onto the toe of my shoe. I dumped the water out and took out the insole, but I knew it was going to be a cold, wet start for my right foot. The wind was still brutally cold, while my body felt comfortable, my fingers were cold. The trees were covered in ice that the wind carried towards the path. Hoping a big chunk doesn’t hit me in the head. Most of the day, until two in the afternoon, my fingers were cold and I couldn’t keep them warm. It was a long, cold day covered in fog, with no relief from sunlight. During the walk along the road around the closures for the endangered yellow-legged frog, it started to rain. Parts of the trail through Cooper Canyon were washed out, resembling a mini mission creek from just over a week ago. I stopped to hang my tent to dry at a small campsite, filled up with water from the stream, and continued. The fog once again created an eerie feeling as I walked without seeing anyone else on the path. It was a long day and I was pleased to find a single tent site right next to the trail, where I was once again able to realize my dreams of camping alone, without being surrounded by a large group.

Icy hike in the mountains outside Wrightwood

Reflections:

Ups and downs, achievements and suffering, indecision and acceptance, disappointments and appreciation. A harmony of opposites. Conflicting thoughts and feelings to deal with throughout the monotony of walking mile after mile. All of these things live here in nature and within me. Nature doesn’t care about my thoughts, my goals, or my plans. He just gives me lessons, teachable moments, and areas to grow and evolve along with him.

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