Day 23 – Wrightwood to Mt Baden-Powell (Mile 269 to 377)

MM: 376.9

Trail Miles: 7.6

Miles Walked: 8

Montreal Marc, Momento and I split a room at a local motel in Wrightwood. We had already made the reservation when 2 locals offered us places to stay. In the future I won’t be so quick to arrange lodging.

We all had to hit the post office, local outfitter and grocery store. Marc and Momento headed out for a hitch back to the trail around 1100. I needed to mail some things home and catch up on the blog. I planned to hit the coffee shop and catch up.

Here I am 4 hrs later, still catching up, and enjoying a nice IPA from a local brewery. It’s going to be a tough hike tonight.

I ran into a group of hikers I’d met a week or two ago. They got into town today and were also heading out later. They were going to a campground off trail and would grill out with some locals, Sounded like a good time, but I’m more inclined to stay on trail – I’m feeling behind….We’ll see. This IPA is tasting good as I type this at 4:35pm.

While in town today I ditched my 20+ yr old green, formerly water-proof pants in the hiker bin. Perhaps someone will find use with their wind-proof-ness, but I doubt it.

I also bought a pair of Dirty Girl gaiters. I was getting enough dirt and debris in my shoes it was past time to get them. Practically everyone is wearing them. They come in really eclectic and wild patterns. I chose a pair with a cosmic design – stars, galaxies and nebula. My brother, MMM, works at an observatory. They reminded me of him.

The colorful gaiters added to my odd, safety-Mom ensemble. I had an assortment of colors and patterns, but was most identifiable by my compression leg-calf sleeves (I was the ONLY person sporting them). I was wearing them for a medical reason but they looked like knee socks. They gave me ridiculous tan lines but conveniently hid the fact I had hair growing on my legs. The bright orange safety whistle and garmin inReach on my shoulder straps were prominent and made me look like a Saturday Night Live parody of a nerdy gym teacher/coach. I’ve never been a fashionista.

Hanging out in the Village Grind coffee shop I talked with interesting locals. I’m not one for talking with strangers, but it was fun to enjoy their stories as well as interest in my hike.

At 5:30, I was finally caught up on the blog. I headed to the road. Within 5 min of sticking my thumb out, I caught a ride from 2 Trail Angels, Deena and Jeff. As soon as I got in their car they asked if I’d eaten dinner yet. They were having a BBQ and offered to feed me dinner before I got on the trail. I was already so late getting on the trail. I regretfully declined. They dropped me off at Inspiration Point and I started walking. — Everyone I’d met in Wrightwood had been so kind and generous. What a welcoming hiker-friendly town!

The trail parallels the Angeles Crest Highway. It’s very scenic with views down to the LA basin on one side and the high desert towards Victorville and Edwards AFB on the other.

Mt Baden-Powell – Camped 1mile below summit on Day 23

I hiked late, using my headlamp, until 9pm. I finally reached a campsite after climbing over 2000 ft vertical. There were several hikers already there but enough room for me to cowboy camp. I fell asleep with a beautiful view of the lights of the inland empire.

Sunset