Agua Dulce to Mile 474
MM: 474.2
Trail Miles: 19.7
Miles Walked: 20
I’d heard there were at least 90 hikers at Hiker Heaven last night – the most so far this season. I’d slept decently well considering – that’s a lot of snoring, nylon swishing and tent zippers through the night. The weather (snow) that happened when I was in Big Bear had effectively created a bubble of hikers who waited out it out. You don’t notice it on the trail as we’re somewhat spread out. It is very apparent when you get to someplace like Hiker Heaven, where everyone stops for at least one night.
I caught the first shuttle into town at 0700. At least 12 of us piled into the truck, with backpacks and poles it was quite a site.
Painter and packs. It was difficult to get a pic of all 12 of us in the truck
The forecast was for more overcast and cool temps, so I wasn’t in a hurry to get on the trail. I joined Painter, Fireball and Alex for breakfast at the Sweetwater Bar and Grill. They also were taking two days to get to Casa de Luna, the next thru hiker stop 24 miles up the trail in Green Valley.
Truth and Alex, on the wall at the Sweetwater Bar & Grill
Although I liked the idea of getting to Casa de Luna in one day and getting ahead of this herd of hikers I was now in, I’d decided to take two days. I was already 3 days ahead of my planned schedule that would get me to Canada and back to work by October.
Today was day 28 – one month on the trail! I had learned a lot, yet I was still fighting the battle of big miles versus enjoying the trail. What was my hurry? — HH was delayed with work and still overseas. I was hoping he could meet me in Kennedy Meadows or Lone Pine but his arrival was slipping to the right. I could afford to pump the brakes a bit.
I enjoyed the cools temps and overcast. The trail was fairly easy – no big climbs or descents. It wound through an area less than an hour from where I’d lived in the early 90s but I’d never heard of or been to.
I met Gets There and No Man at the water stop, Bear Springs. — No Man got his name because everyone was confusing him with Yes Man. He’d even written on his hat “Not Yes Man”. Gets There was a slow but steady hiker; she gets there eventually.
Green Valley – so close to the Mojave Desert yet so different
A few hours later I was in need of a nap and lunch. The funny thing about hiking in cooler weather is you don’t want to stop. Hiking keeps you warm, stopping cools you off.
Hardcore caught up to me about this time. She’s a much faster hiker than me so I let her pass. I eventually stopped at a campsite for lunch and a nap.
I dozed for about 10 min. I’d put on all my rain gear to keep warm so I was cozy, but awoke chilled and needed to get moving.
My goal was a campsite 4miles short of Green Valley. I got there about 6pm. My feet had decided they were done about an hour earlier. I hadn’t seen any other hikers in awhile and the overcast/50 deg temps meant it would be an early night. – I needed to catch up on some sleep after Hiker Heaven and in preparation for Casa De Luna.
An hour after I set up my tent, 3 hikers arrived but the weather kept us in our tents. They were planning a stop at Casa de Luna tomorrow too – an easy 4 miles. Good – no one would be decamping early. I could sleep in!
A photo for future reference
Unique trail marker
Certain Doom, indeed.