June 9

Man was that bed sooo comfortable at the Best Western! Really hard to pull myself away, especially after less than a full night's sleep and that early (6-ish). But I knew I was facing around 5,000 ft of climbing and 22 miles of no water in the hot dry conditions, so I pulled myself out and got goin. Pretty good climb in the steadily increasing heat after a spooky walk through the drainage tunnel under the interstate. Came across Flip Flop coming down as I was headed up. Surprised to see him (was pretty sure he'd be at least half a day ahead of me), nevermind that he was headed in the wrong direction, I threw my arms out w/ a quizzical look. He was headed back down to the Best Western as he started having GI problems.. Loose stool yesterday and then this morning still didn't feel like eating. Tried to hike a couple miles but still wasn't feeling well so decided to try and eat a Snickers. After forcing down a couple bites everythin started coming up, puked a few times. So he figured that something was definitely wrong if he couldn't put and keep down a Snickers. Sucks, felt bad for him.

After summiting, traversing for a little bit, and then descending that ridge, I found yet more trail magic at a water cache while crossing the valley floor. Homemade cookies, crystal light water flavoring, and pop tarts in addition to the precious water. Didn't need the water but couldn't pass up on a cookie :)

Then began the looooong climb of the day. Hot, dry, and shadeless as usual :P It took most of the day but after traversing that first ridge, getting close to the top of this next one, and then traversing along the side of it for a bit, I could finally say Goodbye to the interstate and trains below. Crazy to be a able to so clearly see the stagnent dirty grey haze created by the smog of traffic moving through the corridor. Could also see actual white clouds spilling over from the mountains to the south and west. Interesting to be able to so easily see the difference between the two air masses with the view from above it all. The view of the sea of white clouds to the south and west surrounded by higher mountains was a beautiful sight.

Lots of annoying little bugs hovering right in front of my face as I hiked but especially when stopped for lunch. Headnets are a blessing, just don't forget to raise it before taking a bite to eat :)

Noticed my first tick on my pants as I was taking off my pack for lunch. Saw another when I was almost done but am hoping it was just the same one - when I noticed it the first time I'm not sure I flicked it very far or in a direction well away from me.

Also while eating I was joined by a couple of those loud blue robber birds seemingly begging for food. I told them it wasn't happening and to underscore the point I did something I never do, I threw a rock at one to scare it away. Surprised me about as much as I surprised it when from a good twenty feet away and five or so feet below I actually hit the branch at its feet! Wow nice toss :P Didn't matter. About five minutes later it was back in the same spot yappin at me!

Always so good to get back into some trees! The smell, the shade, the soft pine needles under foot. Gotta love it.

More great views. Nearly a constant out here compared to the AT.

In addition to a slew of minor aches and pains, had my bone spur in the bottom of my left foot act up on me again. Really sharp pain that seemingly randomly occurs. First happened on the AT and doesn't seem to be much I can do about it when it happens... just stop for a little bit and the it seems to pretty much go away, to occur again some random (ok, not completely random, only really occurs when I'm hiking) far off day. Doesn't happen often fortunately but when it does it hurts and is pretty annoying. Will just have to deal.

Passed through a ski resort, Mountain High I think it was called. Don't know why that's always kinda cool, just different I guess, imagining the place full of snow, chairs running. Saw a sign calling a run the "Crest Trail", cool :)

Got pretty lucky at the end of the day. A guy was just finishing his hike at the same time as I was reaching the trailhead, hitting the dirt parking area at the same time. While greeting his two dogs and petting them we started talking and I asked if he was from Wrightwood. When he said yes, I said I was headed there to resupply and just plain asked if he would mind giving me a ride :) He said not at all as long as I didn't mind squeezing into the back of his van. Sweet :) Had a great conversation on the way and he said he'd offer to put me up for the night too but he was actually just moving into town and was in a temporary living situation. So nice. Thanks for the ride Gordon! :)

Then more luck. The first place I checked for lodging (quaint from the outside but a notoriously bad place to stay) ended up being closed due to a septic system failure or something. So then as I was on the side of the street checking the map of the town for other options, Flip Flop pops out of a room at the motel next door! Turns out at the Best Western he hooked up with a hiker (Ant Hoohoo) he'd met before and they were stayin there together while she was waiting for her husband Bushwacker, also giving him a chance to rest and try to recover from his GI problems. Ended up joining them and splitting the room - problem solved! :)


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Location:Wrightwood, Mile 369