Day 29- 22 miles

The shelter was so cozy I slept in a bit. Woken up by a ranger checking on the cabin. Got going quickly after that ate a pop tart tanked up and was off.
Beautiful trail today that was filled with big trees, open meadows, creeks, lakes, wildlife all I could hope for. Flowers were in bloom adding an increadible splash of color to the sea of green and brown. Griffin pass was snow free so routfinding was easy.
Met a few people today as well, first met a guy northbound trying to finish oregon, than ran into an older pair of sisters who had questions about the trail ahead of them for they were heading north as well so I left them with what info I had before running into Jim and Wendy who like me had decided to flip ahead to finish the sierras later, nice folks.
Started putting up miles as I rounded Howard prairie lake going through a pretty dense area of timber I was startled by a very large bird flew out fom the groundcover up to a nearby snag. Struggling to get my camera with the bird just 10 yds away from me, As I gather myself an my camera then look through the lens I notice the large bird is actually an owl what an amazing creature.
There couldn't possibly be anything that could make this day better or could there. Made such good time today that when I arrived at the 19 mile mark near hyatt lake. With 2 1/2 miles left I was pretty sore my feet especially but with rumors of a resort cafe 3/4 mile down the road I couldn't resist. And to my suprise it was even better than a cafe it was a pizza parlor whoo hoo! Cove pizza and some ice cold sodas while sitting down for the first time in hours, took all my aches and pain away. So after enjoying my feast I signed the register and began the 2 miles to make camp at little hyatt lake only now I had a big smile on my face.
Now it couldn't get better right. Made it to camp just in time to see fish rising. So quickly I rigged up my pole and got about 45 min of fishing before it got to dark got a strike but couldn't land it. So now I lay in my sleeping bag going over what a great day I just had before I fall asleep

Day 28- 10 miles

Good to be back home. Back in Oregon and I've devided to give the trail here a try and check a couple of sections out before heading back down south.
Mom and Sarah dropped me off near hwy 140 at around 7:00am and off I went walking passed big trees and lots of lava rock. What a great easy day with awesome views of mt. McGlaughlin behind me and the siskiyous ahead of me. Came across Brown mt. shelter and just couldn,t pass it up. This shelter was very cool outside it had a picnic table, fire ring, and a water pump that pulls cold clear good tasting water. On the inside of the cabin there were bunks, a big window, a trail register, and best of all a great little wood stove an amazing little place tucked in some timber a perfect hiker pad.
Birds and chipmunks are my company this evening as instead of using this time for hiking I chose to just sit and enjoy such a neat place. Funny thing is I had no idea this place was so cool it would be great for snowshoing to in the winter or for a spring hike.

Day 27- 14 miles

Didn't start on the trail until 8:00am today. woke up at 5 to a light rain but before I had a chance to put my tarp up it stopped and I was a little cold so instead of getting up and hiking then I chose to get back into my sleeping bag, soon I was asleep.
The sun is beating down right on me and I have that cruddy I slept to long feeling. Weird to not get an early start as it's already warm and I'm sweating just breaking camp. Fortunately I only have 14 miles to splinters cabin from where I'll 7 more miles to lake arrowhead to meet Aunt midge, Will, Alex, and Andi to pickup my next re-supply and to have a fantastic day with them.
Started dropping into desert/ desert, creek environments where for a while you'd have the sun with no shade on top of the ridges then you would drop back down and into the green, damp, shaded and much cooler areas at holcomb creek and then deep creek as well. Despite the late start made good time I've just crossed the bridge over deep creek and am now at splinters cabin already.
Met two very nice older gentlemen who happened to be fly fishing at deep creek that day. They were just finishing up a great day of fishing the older man who was 86 kicked the younger guys(70s) butt and was sure to point it out. They then offer me a ride to town as they were headed back to San Diego and in no hurry. Now this is what trail magic is all about and it only got better, driving along an old bumpy dusty road and sharing conversation of my experiences on the trail but also of the older gentleman's childhood spent right down the banks of deep creek camping and fishing I couldn't get enough. " You don't mind if we stop at the malt shop before we drop you do ya, it's kinda tradition. No I don't think I have a problem with that. Absolutely amazing first off to give dirty, stinky, red bearded hiker a ride in the first place but then to be treated to probably the best chocolate peanut butter milkshake I've ever had, man that was good. Then they even made sure that I had a place to camp by finding me one at lake arrowhead, Thank you so much guys.
Camped at North shore campground and it's a little chilly so I think a couple cups of tea are due and maybe a small fire as well can't wait till tomorrow but today was a good day too.

Day 26- 17 miles

11 pct miles only, because 6 or 7 miles were wasted on a trip into big bear.
Woke up early and started walking down van dusen canyon rd. to Big bear wear I could charge my phone, make calls, and get a bite to eat. At first no one had an outlet for me to use so I walked around town looking but had no luck. while sitting on the porch of the minute market I noticed a small sandwich shop that opened at 11 and thought is it worth it to kill a couple hours here to get a nice sandwich... yeah.
Made some calls on a pay phone and journal wrote and people watched till 11 came around. Walking up to the sandwich shop I noticed there still was nobody there so I checked the business hours on the window and of course it's open every day but Wednesday and yup today's Wednesday. So I ran into the minute mart to grab a bite before heading back to the trail and now the lady has remembered that there is a plug to charge my phone. Now I'll have lunch while waiting for my phone to charge, big mistake eating there as I had the worst meatball sandwich I've ever eaten it was cold so the cheese didn't melt the sauce was awful and it all seemed like it was made the day before only to be put in front of the heat lamp today where it was most likely just put under.
This morning walk down was nice it had the benefits of being all down hill and in the cool of the morning, now it's hot and uphill and my attitude is soured by the bad meatball sandwich more than the heat or the road. With just about a 1/4 mile from the trail head a nice young couple stopped and said " I know your almost to the trail but if you'd like you can hop in back and ride the rest of the way. Couple minutes later we are there "hey I think we shaved off 7 or 8 min of hiking for you". I thanked them as I hopped out the back of there Toyota pick up and though the ride was short and really didn't save me of any big miles it totally there kindness changed my attitude I even almost forgot about the hoagie almost.
Tanked up on water and filled my bottles before taking off with my suddenly changed for the better tude I marched through miles as I began to climb above and around big bear lake all was kosher before having an encounter with a couple wild animals. All of sudden I'm coming around a corner to a junction on the trail I first notice two people resting on the limbs of a large tree, when there two miniature attack dogs did exactly that attacked. I tried to just casually walk by but they were right on my heels biting my feet and ankles, all that I say however in a real calm voice with almost complete lack of emotion I say "don't bite me" which is not that effective. Then one of the owners wakes up and advises I should just kick them doesn't get the dogs or yell at them to stop just suggest that I should kick them. I'm not going to kick the dogs so I try to just keep moving through when one of them yaps me right on the ankle good but after a min or so they give up chase.
So back on the trail I start seeing big bear lake again and my elevation is dropping and I should be ascending now. Out comes the map and I'm actually on the cougar crest trail not the pct, in further review I conclude that I had missed my trail at the jct. where the dogs had took turns biting me as there owners watched. Now I actually am back on the trail and this section has a very odd but profound beauty to it. Although this landscape is mostly charred from fires of previous years there were still the remnants of what was once a wonderful place with large trees and cool running streams in high mt. environs.
Tonight I camp at bear springs which has a picnic table, fire ring, is only a few hundred yards from a solar pit toilet, and the key factor for making this my stop water flowing from a stream just below camp. A day in a life on the trail with Howdy.

Day 25- 21 miles

Didn't sleep well last night but I,m off early anyways, gotta try to beat the heat three easy miles and I came across arrestre trail camp. I got water from a stream just above the camp then had a quick breakfast.
15 miles blew by as it was mostly downhill and before I knew it I was already to hwy 18. Did a few miles more before stopping for a long lunch at Doble springs camp. Doble had some broken down corrals and a picnic table placed in a spot that allowed it no shade also it had water from a faucet piped from the ground but even that wasn't much more than drips.
Ran across a couple more through hikers as well as a gentleman on horseback who spent some time chatting with me. He told me of the trail conditions as well as of the water up ahead. Made it to Van dusen canyon rd. before deciding to camp at a roadside camp before possibly heading into town. Other than the sound of cars passing by every once in a while this was an alright campsite

Day 24- 17 miles

That gradual ascent yesterday was made up for this morning with a strong climb for roughly 5 miles. However the shade of pine tree forest combined with the cooler mt. morning made for a good though tough morning. The highlight of the morning still was the wildflowers which were not only were they visually pleasing but there smell was the most fragrant I had ever smelled.
Took an hour break near a nice little horse camp that also had picnic tables as well as the last water for 12 miles and that's a cache. This water came from a spring where it seeped through the ground so you would capture the water as it fell into a trough below it. Ate some oatmeal and chatted with another through hiker named bob from Minnesota before charging out again.
Now at the crest the trail leveled out combined with Jefferey pine forest led to great shaded hiking that would continue throughout the remainder of the day. Had an excellent lunch spot today at coon creek cabin in fact it had everything but water. Old cabins that were open for viewing and fire pits, bbq's, pit toilets, and my favorite picnic tables. After eating I chose to take the time to check the place out, and even though they were littered with all kinds of graffiti they still held some charm like the big stove in the main cabin. I took some pictures and spoke to bob as he caught up just as I was leaving, very cool place.
On to onyx summit now getting low on water and there could be a cache there. hike up and around the mountain the trail goes right along side rows of cages filled with bears and wolves and other animals that are trained for movies weird. Found an empty cache so I continued on in search of water when voila a sweet cache with water, soda, snacks, and a comfy couch on which to enjoy them on. Well the sun is setting on me as I write this and I'll be going for 21 miles tomorrow so goodnight.

Day 23- 17 miles

Began early this morning trying to beat the heat as it was supposed to be over 100 again, hot conditions but I would fallow mission creek all day so thankfully there was water.
Desert creek environs would found throughout the day and a lot of time was spent trying to jump the creek or find rocks to step trying to avoid the inevitable shoe soak. Also tried unsuccessfully to keep clear of the ants found on this stretch, but every seat I took rock, tree stump, or just dirt within moments of relaxing I would be covered in them, my bag was covered in them, even my trekking poles were covered after a while I just ignored them.
Went from 2200ft all the way to 6100 today, basically it was just a steady gradual climb for the day. Lizards everywhere and horseflies that bite the heck out of me. Tomorrow climbing to 8500 feet as I head into the san gorgonios. Now I'm camped alongside a very small creek so I can tank up on water before onyx summit. Hoping for cooler weather in the mountains cause I can't say I prefer hiking in 100 degree weather as it's hard to stay well hydrated.

side note- Maybe it is just me but I find it odd that at 6000ft above sea level in socal you find the mix of desert/forest in the same place, cacti and pine trees together in the mts. Ya it's pry just me

Day 22- 15 miles

Hot hot hot 101 today plus very little water and even less shade. Made the mistake of enjoying camp to long an didn't get on the trail until 7:30 so within an hour it was already starting to get hot. There were however great views of the desert below fallowed by even better views back at mt jacinto and fuller ridge.By noon my dogs are barking and I,ve consumed way more water than I had planned and its hot, did I say it's hot. 6000 ft elevation loss today what a stark contrast from the snowy mts. yesterday to the hot shadeless desert today. The way the trail ran made for an even more painful trek, the trail went all the way to one side than switchback and continue all the way to the other side all the while giving views of the road where one could find the water he needed. Made it to snow creek rd. and even though I'm sore and a little dehydrated I have water and laying under a rock that is the only shade near by I drank up and took a nap. Richard showed up a while later fallowed by Mal, both had brutal days and needed some R&R so they headed to marango casino in cabazon to take a couple days off. I decided to stay near the water and get a early start in the morning as it is gonna be a hot one tomorrow. Camped right by the fountain near a road we'll see if I can get any sleep.

Day 21- 12 miles

Climbed 2500 ft to where I lost the trail yesterday then tom lead us to the san jacinto river wich was flowing in and out of snow, really cold and refreshing. Then tom left back to his car and we continueed on trail that awarded some great views of castle rocks and across to the San Gorgonios where I would be shortly, before heading over to the north face of fuller ridge. Still lots of snow but I was determined not to have a repeat of the day before, so after some trouble locating the direction to go the maps came out and set us on a clear course across the ridge. it took the rest of the day kicking steps, slipping, and time consuming route finding before reaching fuller ridge campsite. Challenging day but well worth it, weather was perfect, lessons were learned, and got to enjoy a little snow in what has mostly been a sea of desert. There is water just below camp and I've got a good campfire going to dry our shoes and socks. For me a campfire is one of the most comforting things,so needless to say I was one happy camper sitting in my sleeping bag sipping tea and enjoying the show of stars.

day 20- ?? miles

Nice and cool early morning start toward Fuller ridge, went well for a few miles before takinga wrong turn on the marion mt. trail. After a mile I thought to myself we should be climbing not descending, so a quick check of the map and yup wrong way. So back on the trail I run into snow and am able to stay on trail until losing it again just before the jct with the san jacinto peak trail. After a few failed attempts I returned to right before where I lose the trail at a creek (convienently), where I would take a break and get a drink. While getting ready for another attempt of the where is the trail game Carlos a hiker looking for the peak trail and can't find it comes by. This time I notice something sticking out of the snow ... trail sign, so off carlos went up the peak trail and I'm left with numerous sets of footprints that lead lots of different places. Richard and mal came along at this point and we all wrongly decided to fallow the wrong set of footprints down the ridge instead of along it. It took 6 hrs of bushwhacking ravines and boulders till we were able to reach a logging road wich took us out to of all things the marion mt. trail, Yup full circle not funny. All that hiking I'm back where I started from, but there is a fire pit. Staying at the campground with richard and mal when by chance Thomas stops by from a campsite above and he's brought oranges and even better he said he would lead us through the part where we lossed the trail if I could show him where I found the Fuller ridge sign. Even though Richard and mal were a little reluctunt. I quickly jumped on the oppurtunity, I didn't like the Idea of taking a long road walk around also frankley I wanted to get through fuller ridge. Awesome thanks tom.

day 19- 8 miles

Dropped off in the town of Idylwild not wanting to hang around I began walking up circle rd. to humber park. At humber I would fallow the devils slide trail to saddle junction to meet the pct. After 20 min of walking up this road a local gentleman stopped and kindly drove me to the trailhead. There I ran into search and rescue, seems a day hiker had got him self lost near saddle jct. After getting a discription and the last area known I headed off up the devils slide trail into the san jacinto's. Starting the day near 2000 ft in Claremont to over 8000+ got me a bit definitly take a day to acclimatize as it was slow going today. Met a day hiker who uses the tram system to start at one end of the trail finish at another and still catch the tram that night back to palmdale. The search and rescue chopper was out all day, kind of a wierd feeling when there checking you out to see if your the lost hiker, you don't want to wave cause they might think you need help so you kind of just hike on hoping they get the picture. Hope they find him soon. Although the hiking was tough due to the high altitude it was an amazing area with quite large pine and cedar trees, craggy mts., snow, and cool clear runoff around every corner which made the trail somewhat strenuouse but delightful. This evening I came across Richard and Mal, as they were filtering some water from a small stream, neat folks, I would hike with them through fuller ridge though it would take a day longer than planned. Camped at strawberry jct. trail camp on a saddle a few miles prior of fuller ridge, good views and a sunset to boot even get radio. baseball game perhaps?

Day 18- 20 miles

Woke up early with good feet, on the trail by 6:30. But after about 30 minutes I'd chosen one of the many dirt bike trails to fallow rather than the trail, so now I have to bushwhack all the way back to where I started from, lets try this again. Tylerhorse canyon is the last good water source for 25+ miles. It's a nice spot with a big shade tree to rest under and water flowing clear and cool from the creek below. As I get to the top of the ridge above tylerhorse I begin to scout the area below when from the bottom of the canyon pry 400 ft below I hear Damian yell out " Jason " and I yell back " yo " even though he left well after I he had past me when I got off trail. Rather hungry now so I decided to cook up a big breakfast of mashed potatoes and spam, then tanked up and filtered 3 1/2 liters of water before studying my maps and striking on. Blooms of yellow and purple covered the otherwise barren hills, I'm so lucky to be hiking through here now these flowers and canyons will be bone dry in no time. Then while wrapping around a corner I saw it the not so great 8, 8 switchbacks and 1600 ft up that is. Ran into carhop again and chatted with himfor a moment, also ran into a super nice patrol officer who was psyched to learn about my journey, after a long talk shook his hand and off I went. Now I hike through pinyon and coulter pines in a surprisingly cool forest on the north face of gamble spring canyon. Took a break in the shade of one of those trees before finishing the last 5 miles down oak canyon. THere I'd pass a huge wind farm with the biggest turbines I've ever seen before finally reaching tehachapi rd., from here I'll try to hitch into mojave in the morning. Ended my day sipping tea on a sandy flat among large oaks and the now almost dry oak creek.

Day 17- 20 miles

Leaving hikertown today awesome place can't say enough, didn't leave until 8:30. Hiked with Damian today along the L.A. and California aqueducts but even though it was a lot of road walking there were some nice things as well. 1. Cool temps (70s and low 80s) with a nice breeze made for a pleasant hike. 2. Joshua trees, lots of them and being that this is my first time seeing them it was a real treat indeed. But there were a couple things that weren't so nice. 1. Heel blisters all that road walking left me with large blisters on each foot making for a slow evening but I imagine they will only get better with time. 2. Getting shot at ( just kidding sort of) while rounding a corner right before cottonwood creek BANG!! seemed real close then looking over the the side of the cliff below us we noticed to fellows shooting at the hillside just below, so we yelled down at them to let them know we were here in which they answered back we were just aiming at the hill and not up at you, that's comforting. Filtered water from a fountain connected to the aqueduct and ate lunch before moving on. Found nice place to camp on a breezy knoll among over grazed pasture land with amazing views of the desert below and the tehachapi mts. that I'll tackle tomorrow hopefully with good feet.

Day 16- zero

Woke up early as usual and went to the lounge and found bob making bacon, chatted with him before having some of the bacon as well as 3 cups of coffee. Then decided to check the place out and get some pics, the whole time I was taking photos this big ole dog who's now become my buddy fallowed me from shot to shot. While snapping some of the bunkhouses I noticed someone cowboy camped on the front porch, later I would learn this was sub-zero who got in at 11:30 last night. Damian and Joan didn't make it in last night but both of them have just now arrived. Shortly after Loren, Joan, Damian, and I loaded up into a little kia and took off to Frazier park 20 miles away on I-5 yes that I-5. There we would pick up some supplies as well as goodies to make a big dinner for all the hikers at hikertown. On the way back we notice a pizza place and just can't pass it up. Damian and I split the biggest pizza they made plus garlic bread and ate the whole thing, that was good. Came back and enjoyed a wonderful leisurely day with the company of the aforementioned hikers as well as sub-zero and a guy from Salem, OR with the trail name Balls (army name long story). Loren made bbq chicken and au gratin potatoes while Joan made a killer chocolate chocolate cake with PCT 2010 written in the icing, mmm mm!. Good food, good company, what more could hiker ask for. Up late to night but it's all worth it, I love hikertown.