Start: Cottonwood Creek End: tentsite at 558 Miles covered: 24 PCT mile marker: 558/2652 Highlight: A well-timed bit of trail magic at the end of a hot climb. There was even a cutting board with cantaloupe. Yum! Biggest challenge: Ants. Big, red, biting ants. I have to be more careful where I take my breaks. … Continue reading Day 26 – 24 mi – PCT mile 558 →

Start: tentsite at mile 504 End: Cottonwood Creek Miles covered: 30 PCT mile marker: 534/2652 Highlight: Trail angel Paint Your Wagon, from Hikertown. I asked him if it was a musical theater reference, assuming the answer was no. Much to my delight, he proceeded to sing to me. That just my day. Hikertown is the … Continue reading Day 25 – 30 mi – PCT mile 534 →

Start: Green Valley End: tentsite near Liebre Mountain Road Miles covered: 26 (+2 in town) PCT mile marker: 504/2652 Highlight: A very relaxing spot for a dinner break overlooking the city of Mojave. (Honorable mention: passing the 500-mile mark.) Biggest challenge: Climbing in the warm-to-hot weather. It was 80 degrees at 8am. Again, not terrible … Continue reading Day 24 – 28 mi – PCT mile 504 →

Start: Agua Dulce End: Casa de Luna, Green Valley Miles covered: 24 (+3 im town) PCT mile marker: 478/2652 Highlight: A monster hug from Terrie at Casa de Luna. (Honorable mention: Club sandwich and smoothie at the Heart and Soul Cafe. Are you sensing a food-related trend yet?) Biggest challenge: Hot climb out of Agua … Continue reading Day 23 – 27 mi – PCT mile 478 →

Start: Acton KOA End: Hiker Heaven, Agua Dulce Miles covered: 10 (+3 in town) PCT mile marker: 454/2652 Highlight: Vasquez Rocks was stunning. It was also fun to see the filming location for so many movies and TV shows. (Honorable mention: The Saufleys are wonderful people for running Hiker Heaven, where I was able to … Continue reading Day 22 – 13 mi – PCT mile 454 →

Start: tentsite at mile 425 End: Acton KOA Miles covered: 19 PCT mile marker: 444/2652 Highlight: The North Fork Ranger Station was another oasis during a hot, dry stretch. Ranger Ron was serving up ice cream, hot dogs, and sodas along with a large dose of wry humor. It was an outstanding hour of rest. … Continue reading Day 21 – 19 mi – PCT mile 444 →

Start: Cooper Canyon Trail Camp End: tentsite at 425 Miles covered: 30 PCT mile marker: 425/2652 Highlight: Sunset views along the trail. We were looking for a campsite starting at mile 420, but all of them seemed to be taken. A three-mile walk just below the ridgeline proved to be a spectacular vantage point to … Continue reading Day 20 – 30 mi – PCT mile 425 →

Start: Jackson Flat Campground End: Cooper Canyon Trail Camp Miles covered: 24 (+1 for frog detour) PCT mile marker: 395/2652 Highlight: Summiting Mount Baden-Powell in beautiful weather. (Honorable mention: Jalapeño tuna packet and Idahoan loaded baked potato. Whoa Nelly!) Biggest challenge: 2-mile road walk on the Angeles Crest Highway, to avoid a detour around endangered … Continue reading Day 19 – 25 mi – PCT mile 395 →

Start: tentsite at 347 End: Jackson Flat Campground Miles covered: 24 (+1 in town) PCT mile marker: 371/2652 Highlight: A PBR from trail angels Mark and Michelle, serving up goodies from Guffy Campground. (Honorable mention: A food bag loaded with so many yummy snacks that it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet every time I open it.) … Continue reading Day 18 – 25 mi – PCT mile 371 →