Day 35 (24 May) - Mile 353.89 - 364.36

Campsite at Mile 353.89 to Guffy Campground

I felt like I slept really well last night.  I think my body is happy to be active and back to hiking again.  I woke just after 7:00 AM.  By the time I got out of my tent MAGA and the Australian were both gone.  These other hikers sure like getting on the trail early.

Tim was supposed to meet me just 2 miles more up trail this morning to resupply me with food and water, but after studying the maps yesterday I noticed a campground 10 miles ahead that he should be able to drive to.  Luckily I actually had cell service last night, so we were able to talk and change the plans.  Now I can look forward to not just meeting up with Tim today, but spending the night with him.  He thinks he will be able to get up to the campground around 2:00 PM, so I better get going.

Ready to start today's hike.

I started hiking today right at 8:30 AM, so it took me just under 1.5 hours to get going.  I started today hiking through mist.  Today I have lots of climbing (4,023 feet) and will gain 2,752 feet in elevation, so the coolness in the air is good, but it is doubtful that it will clear up.  However, the mist makes for nice pictures.

Misty PCT

Mist on the trail

PCT sign of the day with mist

Not only do I have to look out for snakes today, I also have to look out for the poodle dog bush.  This bush is supposed to be worse than poison ivy, oak, and sumac.  It causes itchy, painful blisters that can last 2 weeks.  Luckily, someone was nice enough to leave a note pointing out the first poodle dog bush we came across on the trail.

Poodle dog bush warning note.

Luckily most of the poodle dog bushes I came across today was dead, but this one pictured below has some live leaves on it:

Live poodle dog bush

At mile 2.34 today was where Tim was supposed to meet me originally with food and water.  I have plenty of food, but could use 1 liter of water.  Luckily there was a water cache here where I can fill up.  This cache is maintained by residents of the very hiker friendly town of Wrightwood.

Thanks for the water!

 I crossed a forest road to the other side of the ridge and this is where the incredible mountain views began.

Wow!!

Amazing.

I was lucky to get there when I did, because soon after taking these pictures the mountains were covered by clouds.

As the trail continued to climb I felt the need for a break...I mean self-portrait:

Self-portrait "Taking a breather"

Right around 11:30 AM I felt a twinge of hunger.  The trail I had been on was narrow and climbing so I doubted I would find a nice place to eat lunch and take a break.  Would you believe that not more than 2 minutes later I came across this awesome place to stop?!?

Just what I needed.

Comfortable place to lounge.

After a nice 1 hour break at 7,044 feet, I continued on my way.  30 minutes later the trail was cutting through a pine forest.  I love the look and smell of pine trees.

PCT through some pines.

Wow...another break in the clouds allowing for some beautiful mountain and valley pictures.

Beautiful mountains

Beautiful valley

What an incredibly beautiful day of hiking!

Another pine forest.

Looking down on Wrightwood.

Finally, at 2:39 PM, I had only 1 mile to go to get to Guffy Campground and Tim.

Almost to Tim.

I arrived at the campground 30 minutes later and found Tim being a trail angel.  He purchased fresh fruit, water, cinnamon buns, and beer to share with other hikers coming through.  He had 2 "customers" when I got there and had a few others before I got there, including MAGA who I camped with last night.

Trail angel Tim

Tim also purchased for me some salads and cheese so I didn't have to cook dinner which was awesome because it was freezing here.  The truck said it was 39 degrees and that's not taking into account the constant wind.  Oh...we are up at 8,264 feet, so I guess that explains some of it.

We decided it was too cold and windy to pitch a tent, so we cleaned out the back of the 4Runner and set up our sleeping pads and bags in the back.  It is still pretty cold, but at least there is no wind.

Tomorrow Tim is meeting me at lunch and dinner, so I will be able to slack pack which I am so looking forward to.  Until then...

Sleeping in the back of the Toyota 4Runner.