Week 5: Angeles National Forest - Hikertown

scarlson51
Jun 8
3 min read

Updated: Jul 5

Approximately Mile 418 through Mile 518

Note: These are excerpts from Gabe's journal with a few light edits...

Tuesday, May 20^th - PCT Day 31

Went to “Eggslut” for breakfast. Very slutty indeed it was. Hit REI then headed up country. Road was closed; no alternate route, so we waited for it to open. Started off around 2:00 pm. A little sad saying goodbye to Dad but I’ll see him again later this summer. ~9.00 miles to camp. Very, very pretty sunset. Goodnight.

Heading back to the trail after a couple of days off

Wednesday, May 21st - PCT Day 32

It was hot today right from the get-go. Climbing from the valley got hot quick. There was some breeze for the descent, but not much. Freaking roasting hot in the narrow canyons where the sun baked off the rocks, and very little breeze to speak of. The views at some great sandstone formations to the north and west made it a little better, however. Got water at the Santa Clara River & tried to hitch into Acton with no luck, decided to just resupply in Agua Dulce tomorrow, only 10 miles along. Camping near river. Goodnight.

Wild lilacs - a common site on this part of the trail

Thursday May 22^nd - PCT day 33

Not quite as hot this morning which was nice. Climb wasn’t so bad. Cool sandstone/conglomerate formations too. Ran into Secondhand on the way down & walked w/ her to town through Vasquez Rocks, very cool. Had a great brunch at Terra Dulce - very nice folks. Ate w/ about 10 other hikers including Vegas, Barbie, Iris, Skippy, Nitz and Secondhand. Hot walk out of town along the road, hot walk up the ridge too. Pretty view though w/ the oaks on the north ridge. Got warm but didn’t care. Also found a beautiful arrowhead. Chicken soup + tuna for dinner. Goodnight.

Marker showing where PCT was finally completed in 1993

Friday, May 23rd - PCT day 34

Very nice descent & ascent to start today. Miles 5–15 however were choked w/ poison oak in some places. The water that fed them also was only a little trickle, fit for emergencies only. Saw Ben, Hannah, and their friend, they looked tired. They hiked past my camp at 10:00 PM & didn’t stop till midnight. Saw Nitz at the fire station where I got water & ate. Flew up the hill out of the valley. Ran into my second rattlesnake of the trip, poor fellow had a crushed neck. Got to the river, found a good campsite and a very small pool to bathe in. Had dinner w/ Paul, Intel, & three others. Also saw Skye, Salty, and two others. Cheese noodles for dinner, goodnight.

Saturday, May 24th - PCT day 35

Some cool mines today. Climbing out of the valley this morning. Took the road for a few miles to avoid poodle dog bush. Topped out on the ridge. Easily one of the most beautiful ridges I have ever seen. The long green grass swaying lightly in the wind with the sturdy oaks standing above a place built for an afternoon picnic of baguette, cheeses, meats, olives, sardines & red wine. Ran into Skye & crew at the water cistern. Took the road along the ridge to enjoy the amazing views. Camping w/ a big crew tonight. Hikertown tommorow. Goodnight.

Interesting place...

Sunday, May 25^th - PCT Day 36

Fun morning today breaking camp & fast w/ Skye, Rizzler, Train Wreck, and Dutch Guy. Walked into Hikertown w/ them. Hung around for a bit then went to the market w/ the lady who owns the place. Had an amazing carne burrito, two beers, and a strawberry-banana milkshake. Also resupplied. There were too many of us to fit in one car, so the guy owner just gave me the keys to the truck & I drove back to Hikertown. Then I drove two others back to the market, watched the guy’s granddaughter play the guitar, then I finally got a ride back. Played Hearts w/ Skye & Co. Beautiful sunset tonight. Planning to be up at 2:00 am tomorrow. Goodnight.