Day 28 – Tentsite to North Fork Ranger Station, mile 436

May 18. Started us usual around 7am. Planned to be at a fire station in 7 miles – there were supposed to be either softdrinks available or the opportunity to get pizza delivered. Arriving there, we realized that the station was basically dead. We could have ordered pizza, but considering opening hours and wait time, we just filled up water and moved on.

Camped at the North Fork ranger station at mile 436. Since the designated tentsites were full, we moved downhill into some old horse stalls. Everyone got his own little stall to set up his tent.

Song of today: Ginuwine – Pony

Under peer pressure, I tried wiping my feet clean – after three days on dusty trails, not that easy.

When going to bed, I already noticed humidity settling on the sleeping bag… Camping on the grass might after all be not a great idea.

After 24 miles, too tired to change the setup of the tent.

Day 27 – Little Jimmy’s campground to tentsite mile 412

May 17. We left camp around 7am, walked two miles to a highway crossing. We decided for a 6 miles road walk to avoid the endangered species detour of the PCT.

The PCT itself is closed around here for several miles to protect the habitat of an endangered frog species actually. Walking along the highway was a new experience including some tunnels. Now I know why my headlamp has a blinking mode as well.

Coming back to trail, we quickly reached the 400 miles marker! That’s 640km… 😁👍🏻

The gang at mile 400 marker

We pushed on to water at mile 411, camped shortly after at 412.

That was a good and long day. I feel I keep pushing my limits. Good feeling to be really tired in the evening and looking back at a 20+ miles day.

Song of the day: Her – We Choose

Day 26 – Wrightwood via Mt Baden Powell to Little Jimmy’s campground, mile 384

May 16. Started with a great breakfast at Grizzly’s Cafe, then got a hitch to the PCT trailhead at mile 369.

Started hiking around 9am. Climb up to 9400 feet to Mt Baden Powell.

At the peak of Mt Baden Powell, 9400 feet

All PCT hikers at the peak at that time

A supposedly 1500 years old tree just below the peak.

We made it to Little Jimmy’s campground around 6.30pm. Quick dinner…. It got cold quickly when the sun was setting, but the sleeping bag in the tent was welcoming and the night was quiet.

Day 25 – Zero Day in Wrightwood

May 15. Today’s zero day was fun.

I completed my resupply for the next 5 days to Aqua Dulce – rest of the day was just relaxing.

Explored the little town of Wrightwood…

The local library had a sweet cat that took all that petting well

Dinner was planned at a Mexican place due to the advertised 5 cent margaritas.

Evening at the bar with live singing, pool billiard… Cactass, Tinkle and Gorgeous were brave enough to do Karaoke! 👍🏻
That was a good time.

Day 24 – From tentsite to Wrightwood, mile 369

May 14. Got up around 5.30am. Enjoyed breakfast while watching sunrise.

Sunrise above a sea of clouds. Just happy to be here. So little you need.

Hit the trail 730am. Just 13 miles to go today to get to the highway crossing at mile 369 from where we will hitch into Wrightwood.
First break 930am at 362, 8100 feet.

Johanna (aka Tinkle) and Oldtimer caught up with us.

Made it to the highway around 1.30pm. A pickup came up from town, turned around to bring us down. Once again… Thank you unknown trail angel for being so kind. You make this so much easier. Wrightwood… Another super friendly hiker town.

First stop in town was lunch at Grizzly’s Cafe, then resupply shopping for 5 days at the local supermarket.

Talking about hiker friendliness…

We had to wait for our laundry quite a bit… So made it to the Yodelers rather late, had some Mexican food and a beer. Relaxed evening in town with nice company.