The Worst Section of the Trail So Far and Wrightwood

Since my last update, I have been through Wrightwood, hiking in what is my opinion the worst part of the trail yet, and staying away from the Powerhouse Fire.  For those who don't know what the Powerhouse Fire is, it is a really big fire between Santa Clarita and Lancaster.  Unfortunately, part of the PCT is on fire and the re-route because of the fire is also on fire, so no hiker can hike between Mile 455 and 518.  That is fine though because I was planning on skipping the 110 miles between Agua Dulce (my current stop at Mile 454.5) and Tehachapi.

I stopped in Wrightwood to visit my Uncle, resupplied, and stayed there for two and a half days.  My feet were getting some small blisters on the balls of my feet again, so I decided to stay an extra day.  In my time off the trail, I got a new pair of shoes, ate a lot (as usual), and went to my cousin's graduation.  I had a nice time in Wrightwood.

After Wrightwood, I hiked for 4 days through the San Gabriel Mountains.  Essentially for two days I hiked up a hill, then down the hill, crossed over Highway 2, and repeated.  The hiking was horrible and it was really demoralizing because the scenery was horrible, it was hot, and the water sources were few and far in between.  I had some good company, so that was the silver lining.

On my third day from Wrightwood, I finally got away from the 2 (after crossing it 9 times) and went down into the desert.  I didn't think the trail could get worse, but then I got to poodle dog bush.  It is this plant that gives you a reaction similar to poison oak or ivy.  The problem was that you had to do gymnastics to get around it, the trail was severely overgrown to the point that some places had plants taller than me, and the trail practically six inches wide and on the side of a mountain.

I had two days of this but some trail magic made it all disappear.  When I arrived at a KOA Sunday night after hiking two 24.5 mile days, a thru-hiker from last year was there feeding the hikers.  It was heaven and so nice to have because I had a tough day.

On Monday, I got to a Agua Dulce and the Saufleys, the trail angels there.  Their place is called Hiker Heaven and that is exactly what it is.  I got to sleep on a cot, could cook my own food (even though I choose not to), had an Internet tent, and everything I needed to make me feel at home.  It was a nice break to be in town and I am excited to get closer to the Sierra and out of the desert.  I will start in Tehachapi later today and be in Kennedy Meadows in about a week! 

Here are some pictures from the last section

Looking good in Wrightwood!

Burned section of the Trail

One of the many random places to sit

A look of the fire

This is where the PCT was officially declared complete

Relaxing at the Sauflys.  That is Captain America (he's from New Zealand) enjoying some pistachios I gave him.