Day 29: Guffy to Wrightwood
Snow, Snow, Snow. The trail? Crap.
Got snowed out. All tracks disappeared by the time we got a mile short of Hwy 2. We were pretty much miserable. Will didn’t want to admit it but I think he was too—very excited about a hot meal in Wrightwood. We reluctantly and happily decided to head to Wrightwood. Now which way down the trail would that be? We see a black suburban—“Will!” I shout and he takes off running after the car. Hands waving and everything. He gets her to stop and she graciously gives us a, snow soaked and sad looking, a ride into town. We were so happy for the ride and saw not a soul on the road until almost Wrightwood—how lucky we were. We stopped in at the Evergreen Café and ran into Doc and Cruisin—who we’d seen the night before. We were glad we weren’t the only ones to bail.
After we were done eating, Team Bad Wizard, Smooth Criminal and Spider Woman came in as well. That was pretty much everyone we knew of who was on the trail came down into town. Whew—glad we did too, we would have been out there by ourselves.
Not sure if we’re heading out tomorrow—just going to wake up and check out the snow situation. A local trail angel took us in for the night so we didn’t have to pay for a room—very, very nice people. Stacey & Clark. I’m sleeping in an actual bed. With a belly full of Enchilades, salad, garlic bread, Ice cream, and brownies. Stacey is from Hood River—she’s hiked sections of Oregon before and got in a jam and no one would giver her a rid. So now she trail Angels in hopes to pass that goodness on because she wished she’d had it then.
They let the house all to the four of us: doc, curisin, will & I. They had to go guard the new building their building in town.
Looks like Spic N Span might be off the trail for good. Hope she changes her mind. Now I’m off to bed in the super comfy bed…
Day 30: May 24th Hwy 2 to Base of Mt. Baden-Powell
We got all bundled up at least with the limited gear we had. I even did Cruising’s idea of plastic bagging your foot in your sock and then putting a sock layer on the outside. It was wet snow (slush really) on the trail. We got to the base of Baden-Powell. I looked up at a snow entrenched trail. The fog, cold and snow surround the mountain. I was pretty grumpy, ask Will. We decided to take Stacey & Clark up on their offer and went back into town to stay another night –it’s their anniversary tomorrow—it’s especially nice of them to let us stay. The four of us watched a movie, Cinderella Man, when Doc showed up. The summit wasn’t passable—we’d have to take the highway the next day. We ate steak and potato dinner. And Stacey made Apple pie, what a saint. Then Cruisin’ showed up at the end of dinner. All of us back—like one big happy family.
Day 31: May 25th. 18 Miles on Hwy 2 Detour Around Mt. Baden-Powell
Today we have to do a long road walk on closed Highway 2 in order to catch back up with the trail. Again it’s cold and foggy but our spirits are up, And we’re hoping to get out of the snow.
It was a long road walk. We kept pressing on hoping the snow would subside. Alas our feet gave in and we found a closed picnic area in which we could scrape the snow off a slab of concrete and sleep there. It was a wet cold, cold night. Tomorrow we’ll get out of the snow…hopefully.
Day 32: Hwy 2 to Mill Crk Summit Picnic Area: Out of the Snow!
We awake to everything being wet and drips falling from our tent onto our faces. We struggle between the moist warmth of our sleeping bags and the wet cold that awaits us outside. We fold up and pack our wet tent and sleeping bags.
Nothings dried out. So I put one wet sock back on and Will gives me a dry pair of his to put on. He takes my dry liners. It is all rather pointless when you slide those warm dry feet into wet stone cold shoes. We just want to get out of the snow and down into the lower elevations—that would require a 22 mile day. I think I’m up for it…
We meet new folks along the trail. A volunteer Forest Ranger tells us how bad the trail is—we shake our heads—we agree and we know. After only a mile the snow begins to get sparce and we start dropping gin elevation. We’re so stoked. We’re tempted by a sign that reads “1.5 miles to a Restaurant” but we press on because we want to get out of the snow and down into the warmer climate.
Soon we see a cache—Rootbeer! Don’t know why I’m getting so fired up about root beer—could be homemade Root Beer as a kid? Other cravings: Mom’s Choc. Chip cookies with walnuts and oatmeal, Mom’s Croutons and Banana Bread.
On the trail we go. We even start sprinting at spurts. Will takes a spill in one of the sprinting sessions. The Ranger Station is up ahead! We get water, bathroom break and then down the hill to the mill creek summit picnic area—requiring another stealth campt at a day camp only…
Day 33: Mill Creek Summit Picnic Area to Creak Below Ranger Station 2 (22 miles)
Pretty uneventful day, besides that near the end of the day I got what I think was Shin Splints that wouldn’t seem to go away. 6 miles from our 22 mile goal I sat down on the trail and shreaked at the pain. At this point I was super worried about getting 6 more miles, I didn’t even feel like walking 6 more steps. We sat for a bit and I feld better—at least at first. We got to the next Ranger Station and decided to have dinner but I kept walking because my legs were feeling pretty good.
So we feast on Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Dinner on the trail, literally right on the trail (with all the steep switchbacks there’s little place to sit). Dinner tastes good and warm. A mile ago I didn’t think I could make it—now I find myself awakened by a hot meal and rise to do at least another mile, we press on. Down and up the switchbacks. Through burnt forests and California Junipers. Then a steep descent—is that water down there? I get excited and make a comment out load. From below comes a voice--
“Don’t get too excited about the water”—it’s Doc, which means Pink Lemonade for dessert tonight! We tucked into a little spot by Doc by the river. No need for the rainfly tonight—the sky is wide open and clear…
Day 34: 4 miles Past Ranger Station to Aqua Dulce/Saufley’s
Only 14 miles to the Saufley’s! A little climbing but nothing serious. I made pretty good time for the first 8 miles. The last 6 were a bit of a struggle but the terrain near the end was beautiful—the Vasquez Rocks. I managed to slow Will down once in order to get a shot off…
Arrived at the Saufley’s everything was very open, organized and friendly—it will be a pleasure staying here. It took us a while to find a tent, but luckily we did and I’m thrilled to be sleeping on a cot tonight. It will probably be cold—but the cot (hopefully) will make up for it.
Got a cake for Will’s birthday—they only had pink candles, ah well I guess it will have to do…
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