Day 24-26 (april 30-may 2), mile 307.9-341.9

 

On day 24 the day started continuing through the deep creek canyon, hiking with Chris for most of it. About 5 miles in the canyon began to open out into flatter terrain, with incredible views of the San Gabriel mountains. We came to a flood water control dam where there was a massive spillway. Standing in the middle of the spillway there was a really cool echoing effect, which kept us entertained for a few minutes. 

We then had to ford Deep Creek, which was fairly easy once we found a shallow part to cross at. At one point we hiked past a property that had a rv that was the same exact model as the one from the tv show “Breaking Bad”. We soon came to a highway where there was supposedly a hiker friendly tavern type place called the Joshua Inn.  At the trailhead the phone number was posted for hikers to ask for a free shuttle to the Joshua Inn. A man named Alan came to pick a decent sized group of us up. During hiking season Alan essentially drives back and forth carrying 100s of hikers.

Joshua Inn was very relaxing. We all ordered sandwiches and hotdogs and ended up staying for around 5 hours. We met two men named Mayor and Kite, brothers, who are section hikers. It was very entertaining watching them open their resupply box, which had way more food than they could possibly need in the two days before their next package. I also met a woman named Keira who is from Snohomish! 

Alan drove us back to trail, and Chris, Alashua, Ryan and I were all hiking as a group for probably the first time. We usually don’t actually hike all together. We set up camp at mile 318.0, joined by 5 other hikers: Mayor, Kite, Keira, polar bear, and Spikes (who also hiked the pct in 2022). It was a low mileage day (10.1) but with plenty of food there wasn’t much of a rush to get to Wrightwood.

On day 25 the air was cool and the winds were strong. As has been the last few days, it was very easy hiking as we got toward Lake Silverwood. Around the lake everything was super green and beautiful, and we felt the first precipitation on trail so far- just tiny droplets and mist. After hiking in the heat for 3 weeks, the change in weather was very refreshing. 

After the lake there was a bit of a climb as we approached Cajon pass, and I set up camp at mile 335.7, a total of 17.8 miles for the day. Chris camped back at the lake, but there was a fairly full campsite of about 10 people. 

For the first time on trail, it was a rainy morning on day 26. I was very glad to have set up my tent, as the last several nights I had been “cowboy camping” under the stars. Breaking out my rain gear, I quickly packed up a wet tent and hit the trail, fighting against the wind and rain the 6.1 miles to Cajon pass. I finished the podcast series that I was listening to the last few days, “The witch trials of JK Rowling”. Highly recommend. 

At mile 341.9 I arrived at Cajon pass/ interstate 15, which also happens to be the southern extent of the Nob fire closure.  For around 20 miles the pct is currently closed due to a forest fire, so everyone is having to skip that section. Also at Cajon Pass is the famous on-trail McDonalds, where a large group of PCT hikers were congregating. 

After filling up there, we (Ryan, Alashua, Keira, polar bear, Mayor, and Kite) were able to secure a ride to Wrightwood with a trail angel named Hawk. He showed us around town. I found some picnic tables to dry out my tent and wait for the check in time at my lodging for the night, The Holistic Spa, owned by trail angels Mamacita and Mamabear. Rides to and from the spa were included and it was a very nice place.

Word had spread that Kite and Mayor were hosting dinner for pct hikers at their fancy airbnb, so I made my way back to town to check it out. There I had an incredible time hanging out with about 15 hikers and eating delicious shrimp tacos. The generosity of people on the pct continues to amaze me. 

Back at Holistic Spa I shared a space with 3 hikers named Olivia, Martin, and Buddy, who I briefly met back at Kenny’s place.