Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
I make a shitty patient. I rate an extended period of convalescence right up there with a roaring case of hemorrhoids on the old ‘fun-ometer scale’. Nonetheless, my enforced layoff here in Ridgecrest hasn’t been such a bad thing. I Read More …
DATE: May 24 START: Half mile past Long Valley Loop Road (690.1 miles) FINISH: Kennedy Meadows General Store DISTANCE: 12.7 miles (20.4 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 702.8 miles (1130.8 km) Shuffled into Kennedy Meadows, the final twelve miles taking a painfully Read More …
DATE: May 23 START: Saddle at 660.9 mile mark FINISH: Half mile past Long Valley Loop Road (690.1 miles) DISTANCE: 29.2 miles (47 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 690.1 miles (1110.4 km) My optimism in regards to having seen the worst of Read More …
DATE: May 22 START: Half mile past Willow Spring Road FINISH: Saddle at 660.9 mile mark DISTANCE: 38.1 miles (61.3 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 660.9 miles (1063.4 km) Highlights included gorgeous ridge top views and my first bear sighting since the Read More …
DATE: May 21 START: Golden Oaks Spring FINISH: Half mile past Willow Spring Road DISTANCE: 39.5 miles (63.6 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 622.8 miles (1002.1 km) Four days after my bout with poodle bush, it seemed as if I had dodged Read More …
DATE: May 19 START: Red Rock Water Tank FINISH: Tyler Horse Canyon DISTANCE: 39 miles (62.8 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 541.8 miles (871.8 km) In regards to the photo below: 1. No I haven’t switched teams mid-game and; 2. No, I Read More …
DATE: May 18 START: Junction with Sierra Pelona Ridge Road FINISH: Red Rock Water Tank DISTANCE: 40.5 miles (65.2 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 502.8 miles (809 km) A mere 24 trail miles after Hiker Heaven is Casa de la Luna, the Read More …
DATE: May 20 START: Tyler Horse Canyon FINISH: Golden Oaks Spring DISTANCE: 41.5 miles (66.8 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 583.3 miles (938.5 km) With only one water source, little shade, lots of climbing and soaring temps, today was a tough one. Read More …
DATE: May 17 START: Ridge, a few miles short of Messenger Flats FINISH: Junction with Sierra Pelona Ridge Road DISTANCE: 35.3 miles (56.8 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 462.3 miles (743.8 km) The small desert community of Agua Dulce is known in Read More …
DATE: May 16 START: Little Jimmy Campground FINISH: On ridge, a few miles short of Messenger Flats DISTANCE: 43 miles (69.2 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 427 miles (687 km) Inadvertently walked through a bunch of Turicula or Poodle dog bush, a Read More …
DATE: May 15 START: Cajon Pass FINISH: Little Jimmy Campground DISTANCE: 42 miles (67.6 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 384 miles (618 km) Long day. Ascended over 8,000 feet total. Nonetheless, still felt good at days end. Yesterday’s yoga and jacuzzi sessions Read More …
DATE: May 14 START: Deep Creek Ford FINISH: Cajon Pass DISTANCE: 29 miles TOTAL DISTANCE: 342 miles A “rest day” of sorts, albeit a 29 mile one. Made it to Cajon Pass around 2pm. Highlights included a cache of fresh Read More …
DATE: May 13 START: Big Bear/Van Dusen Canyon FINISH: Deep Creek Ford DISTANCE: 39 miles TOTAL DISTANCE: 313 miles Highlight of the day was Deep Creek Hot Springs, beautifully set thermal pools which attract an eclectic crowd of local families, Read More …
DATE: May 12 START: Mission Creek FINISH: Big Bear/Van Dusen Canyon DISTANCE: 42 miles (67.6 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 274 miles (440.9 km) Steady 3,500 ft climb out of Mission Creek. Felt strong. Ran into Beardo, a former AT hiker who Read More …
DATE: May 11 START: Fuller Ridge FINISH: Mission Creek DISTANCE: 39.5 miles (63.6 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 232 miles (373.3 km) Began the day with a switch-backing thirteen mile hike down from Fuller Ridge. Stunning early morning views over the desert Read More …
DATE: May 10 START: Hwy 74 FINISH: Fuller Ridge (mile 192.5) DISTANCE: 40 miles (64.4 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 192.5 miles (309.7 km) Fantastic day. Covered good ground despite a challenging climb and occasionally rugged and snow covered terrain. Non-stop panoramic Read More …
DATE: May 9 START: Mile 117.5 FINISH: Just north of Hwy 74 DISTANCE: 35 miles (56.3 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 152.5 miles (245.4 km) A long, shadeless, arid stretch in 30 degree celsius weather. For people not accustomed to hiking in Read More …
DATE: May 8 START: Scissors Crossing FINISH: Mile 117.5 DISTANCE: 40.5 miles (65.2 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 117.5 miles (189.2 km) Began with an easy climb out of Scissors Crossing, followed by a long series of gorgeous vistas, as the trail Read More …
DATE: May 7, 2012 START: Long Canyon Creek FINISH: Scissors Crossing DISTANCE: 39 miles (63 kn) TOTAL DISTANCE: 77 miles (124 km) Feeling stronger after a good nights sleep. Saw five other thru hikers, thus making ten since yesterday. Ran Read More …
DATE: May 6, 2012 START: Campo FINISH: Long Canyon Creek ford DISTANCE: 38 miles (61 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 38 miles (61km) And away we go… Fantastic to be back on the PCT after five years. Even better to catch up Read More …