Day 22 – Swarthout Canyon to Wrightwood (Mile 246.6 to 269.3)

MM: 269.3

Trail Miles: 22.9

Miles Walked: 23.2

My campsite was great but I missed out on trail magic at the water cache a mile up the trail. Chance, a PCT-alum and trail angel, had iced sodas, beers and burritos last night. The beer and soda was still cold, but it was a little too early to imbibe when I passed by at 0620.

Sunrise Day 22

It was an uphill day, from 3500 ft to 8200 ft elevation. Fortunately high clouds and elevation moderated the temp with a light breeze.

The desert wildflowers are beautiful this time of year.

I got a text from Slim. He was leaving Wrightwood about the time I’d be arriving. There was no catching up – I was comfortable with my own pace now.

If you zoom in you can see Mt San Gorgonio and San Jacinto

I stopped for lunch at noon on a saddle with a view overlooking Victorville and Apple Valley. I leaned back against my pack and put my feet up against a pine tree. A trail runner came by and took a photo of me relaxing. We chatted about the trail and running.

The trail cuts through Mountain High Ski Area

I eventually caught up to Montreal Marc and Momento. I was excited to see them, but determined to hike my own pace. I fell behind but eventually caught up when we found some trail magic at Guffy Campground. Dirty J, a 2015 PCT alum, and his friends Alex and Lauren had come up to the Angeles NF for the day. They were cooking out and sharing their food – burgers, beers, bananas – with any hikers going by. It was fun to relax and chat for an hour.

Trail Magic

A view south towards the LA Basin

We got back on the trail for the final 5 miles to Hwy 2, the Angeles Crest Highway. It was the best place to catch a hitch into Wrightwood. After about 10 min, 2 trail angels came by and offered us a ride. They were there to pickup Spliford, a German hiker I’d met at McDonalds yesterday. We all piled in for the ride to town. They dropped us off next to the local brewery – where we headed for dinner and beer of course. While there 2 locals offered us a place to stay for the night. — I can’t imagine this happening anywhere I have ever lived, but trail towns are truly unique.