Big Bear Hostel

June 3-5

Packed up this AM, walked maybe 1/4 mile and came across a water cache at a dirt road. As I filled up I heard voices coming from just down the road where it met highway 18. Whaddya know, it was some of the group of day section hikers I'd met the day before - perfect timing :) They were doing a "key-swap" hike which is where two parties park at either end of a section, hike towards each other and swap keys to the cars when they meet. Ended up hiking all morning with one of them, Larry, from New York, who kept a pretty good pace. It'd been a while since I'd hiked for that long with someone talking nearly the whole time. It was pretty nice and the time flew by. We enjoyed lunch on a slope on the side of the trail in the sun while he also waited for the rest of his group which we'd left behind. The other half of the key-swap ended up showing first and I was the recipient of some more trail magic :) Another apple and a couple snacks. I said my goodbyes to the guys I'd briefly talked to the day before and hiked on to the highway crossing where I was to attempt my first hitch of the trip and found a cache of trail magic - mmm root beer :)

After finishing off the soda, I pulled out my ground sheet with the "PCT Hiker to town" sign and put it up... First few passerby's where amusingly motorcycles, obviously no-go's :) But I kid you not, the very next vehicle to come along pulled over! Thank you Mel for helping me out with the sign!!! :) Turns out she was someone who was just moving out of town and was going to the PO a block away from the hostel! Despite being nearly full with two adults and a baby in her car seat, they let my VERY smelly butt squeeze in with my pack and poles and then delivered me to the front step of the hostel. Too perfect :)

Checked in to the hostel (scored an empty bunked room, at least for the first night) and grabbed a quick shower - ahhh :) Next stop, Mexican w/ a couple other hikers, Flip Flop, who I'd met before, and Gonzo. Turned out to be a great place to stay. Pretty cheap, comfortable with most everything a hiker would want, and despite not being real close to stuff like the grocery store, they had two loaner bikes with baskets for getting the chores done. Even had a couple of movie theaters within a short walk, which I somehow didn't manage to make it to - I know, to those who know me, unbelievable. So I spent much of the first day running around on the bike hitting the grocery store for my resupply and the library to print out maps, taking care of other chores at the hostel, and then took a second day to just relax and actually take a rest day off my feet. Mostly just eating and watching movies at the hostel with all the other hikers, those who were there and some I already knew and showed up a little later; Jared, Mango, Rory... A couple of hikers even made b'fast and dinner for everyone to enjoy together - Gonzo's baked pasta dish was so good!!

Josh gave me a call, good to hear from him. Sounds like he's decided not to stress on the whole thru-hike w/ high miles and also avoid the desert. Instead getting back on further up the trail when his leg feels better and doing lower, 10-12, mile days. Glad to hear it as I know he was geeked about being out here and I'm really wanting him to see some real mountains. Just wish I was around to see/hear his reactions :) But who knows, if he's back on, maybe I'll come across him again.


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Location:Big Bear Hostel