Week 4: Big Bear Lake - Angeles National Forest
- scarlson51
- May 24
- 4 min read
Approximately Mile 270 through Mile 418
Note: These are excerpts from Gabe's journal with a few light edits...
Sunday, May 11 - PCT Day 22
Pretty views of Big Bear Lake coming out of camp today. Took the day very slow because of my tendon. Ate 2x rations to reduce weight. Stopped for water ~11 miles in at Holcomb Creek. Just as I was about to leave, Courtney and Mike drove up to do Trail Magic. Mike went to school with Dr. Mattison's dad, also a geologist. Had a cold beer and sat in a chair which was nice.The push into camp was long but I found a perfect rock pool along Holcomb Creek & took a bath which was amazing. Deep Creek hot springs tomorrow. Beef Stroganoff for dinner w/ Sas, Goodnight.
Monday, May 12th - PCT day 23
Achilles was still acting up a bit, but I remembered something Sas said and put my spare socks in my shoes to lift my heel and it worked magic. After ~5 miles I came to Deep Creek Bridge. Beautiful spot, the creek was indeed deep and wide, wide enough for me to take a proper swim which was freakin’ awesome. Reached Deep Creek Hot Springs after ~15 miles, had lunch then took a soak which was truly opulent. Several naked people which was funny. Starting to get a little tired of the desert, it is beautiful sometimes but mostly it is rather the same, plus I miss trees. Good dinner w/ Sas. Goodnight
Tuesday, May 13th - PCT Day 24
Left camp at the hot springs. Very pretty hike out of Deep Creek Canyon. Big dam at the canyon mouth. Called Mom for a new shirt. Pretty chill hiking most of the day down the long valley. Reached a second dam that holds in Silverwood Lake. Went right beneath it, which was cool but left me w/ an eerie feeling knowing there were hundreds-of-millions of pounds of water perched above my head. Had lunch w/ Concierge, Hot Sauce and Lot R Girl (?) at a very nice boat-up picnic area. Got to Silverwood Lake Campground after ~20 miles. Ordered pizza for dinner which was freakin’ awesome. A little windy & cold but good camp. Goodnight.
Wednesday, May 14th - PCT day 25
Very nice climb out of Silverwood Lake this morning. Next ~7 miles were typical desert: dry, little shade, although the temp was good. A few miles before McDonald's the gentle slope gave way to a cliff overlooking a broken landscape. Trail followed cliffs until interstate. (@ McDonald’s) Got a Big Mac, Quarter-pounder w/ cheese, fries, Coke, and 3 cheeseburgers for the road. Very tasty! After going through a tunnel-like underpass the view was beautiful; rolling hills w/ sharp anti-cline, syn-cline cliffs. Got a train to blow his horn for me, & sung “Randy Dandy Oh”. Last few mins into camp were a bit sore. ~21 total.Ate burgers for dinner. Good night.
Thursday, May 15th – PCT Day 26
Long but pretty climb out of camp today, thank God for the water cash! A little down the trail I saw my second fox; this one a Grey Fox. On the way down the dirt road that avoids the closure, “Noko” gave me an ice cold Gatorade, my favorite flavor too. The highway walk into town was not bad until the pass where I had to play “Frogger”. Got my package in Wrightwood, then drank 3 beers & ate a Reuben w/ potato salad and Poutine. Stayed w/ Ben, MV, Amber, Steph, Claire and Evan at their AirBNB which was fun. More highway walking tomorrow. Goodnight.
Friday, May 16th - PCT Day 27
Hopped the back fence to save a mile, did the 3 mile road walk to Hwy 2. Walked the closure. Very pretty view from Inspiration Point. Could see dad in LA. Summitted Baden-Powell, hung out w/ Renee & friends. Saw Skye again and hiked with her, Salty and two others to Little Jimmy Spring. Saw Renee & Co. camping near by and decided to stay. Always nice to spend time w/ her. Chilly tonight so early to bed for me. Saw red head from pizza party at Silverwood Lake. Goodnight!
Saturday, May 17th - PCT Day 28
Great Trail Magic this morning at Islip Saddle from Lieutenant Dan. Mike, and I had my picture taken by Spilly Billy (?). Had a beer and another cup of coffee all whilst sitting in a chair w/ a wood stove nearby. Road walked to avoid a pointless climb. Unfortunately, there were two tunnels, but the couple from Alabama and another blond girl made it through w/o issue. LA was covered by clouds but still great views. Towards the end of today I came across a Boy Scout troop camping at a cabin. They kindly took my trash & gave me a tangerine. Camping close to a small spring. Made myself a bear fence. Goodnight
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