Day 25 – More Inspiring Hikers (Mile 399 – 424)

MM: 424.3

Trail Miles: 25.6

Miles Walked: 26.0

I crossed the 400 mile markers (all 4 of them) shortly after getting on the trail. Seems the people who make the markers (positioning pine cones & rocks) can’t agree on mileage……

I ran into Alex again at Camp Glenwood, the first water stop. He was trying to skip ahead to Tehachapi so yesterday he had road walked Hwy 2 beyond the “frog closure”. (The trail follows the Hwy, but takes longer). At one of the pullouts he encountered a BMW commercial set that was filming along Hwy 2. They invited him to eat their kraft services. Of all the hiker luck!

At the water stop I also ran into Matt, a Veteran who is hiking with. Warrior Expeditions. It’s a great organization that helps combat veterans who attempt long distance thru-hikes as a way of dealing with PTSD and post-war transition. — Please check out the website and support it if you can. It’s a charity that helps others to help themselves.

Several miles up the trail I met Dark Horse, another inspiring hiker. He had hoped to hike the PCT in the early 2000’s, and had even started buying gear like his back pack. Unfortunately around 2003, he was diagnosed with a kidney disease failure. He eventually underwent a kidney transplant in 2013. And now here he is, 5 years later section hiking the PCT with the backpack he’d originally bought. He’d started at the border this year and is going to Tehachapi. — My dream of hiking the PCT was a dream long delayed; but it doesn’t come close to the challenges he had faced getting to the trail. Truly amazing!

Darkhorse

After lunch in park-like setting at mile 412, it was a long, hot descent to the Mills Fire Station, the only water for miles. Fortunately there was trail magic too! A hiker called Fish Tank is a retired police officer. His former partner lives nearby and had brought up sodas, Costco cookies muffins, chips and fruit to the fire station. There were picnic tables and a flat, shaded patio – it was an awesome treat! I pounded a Pepsi with real sugar, a bag of chips and 4 Costco cookies. It did not put a dent in my appetite – hiker hunger is a real phenomenon! Trail Magic & Hiker Trash at Mill Creek Fire Station

While there I got to talking with another hiker, a former Marine. He had a med issue to get resolved in town and was waiting on a ride but told me about how he was in recovery after treatment through the VA for alcohol. He’s been through a lot. He said being on the trail was tough, particularly being away from his kids -his daughters birthday was the next day- but he was finding it was a journey of self help he needed. It was humbling and moving to hear his story.

I got back on the trail an hour later after hanging out with everyone – about half were new faces. I did 5 more miles hiking til 8:30pm, mostly because the terrain was too steep to find a flat space. Eventually made it to small trail camp and cowboy camped near 3 tents. Light out at 2200

Our water source……filter, filter, filter

Finally got a pic of a lizard!

View overlooking the Mojave Desert – You can see the dry lake beds of Edwards AFB in the distance.

Yes Man and I

PS- The PCT through the San Gabriel Mountains is beautiful. It’s challenging with the steep grade and altitude, but very beautiful. I would definitely recommend doing the hike from Wrightwood to Mill Summit early in the season when the water/streams are flowing. I’d hike it again with HH if he wants to. It’s a beautifully remote area not far from LA.

Sunset Day 25