Sunday, May 21 Start: Big Bear Lake Stop: Holcolm Creek, mile 286.76 11.04 Miles I didn’t sleep well and I feel even worse this morning. I do manage to get a little sleep after 6am but it’s brief. The Best Western has a killer breakfast of meat and cheese omelet, potatoes and waffles plus all … More Day 15: Cougar
Tuesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 10 I slept so damn well that I’m thinking, hey, maybe I can just jump back on trail. I chat with Lil’ Buddha again about my options. He suggests renting a car and coming home for a few days. I’m reluctant to leave trail but I still have the … More Is Lion Heart Off Trail For Good?
Monday, May 8 Start: near I10 underpass Stop: Cabazon 13 miles Total Miles: 217.5 As I emerge from my tent I see Yoobee and Pacer heading out. I’m out about 610am and Dos Tacos and Drum Solo are just rustling to life. The muscles are stiff and barely work as I slowly pull myself away … More Day 14: A Teary Meltdown
Sunday, May 7 Start: Fuller TH Stop: Interstate 10 19 miles The wind is constant but there are gusts that blow into the tent and I can feel the wet spray of ice hit my face. During one gust I hold my hands up and I wonder what would happen if me and my tent … More Day 13: The Good Side of Snow and Rain
Saturday, May 6 Start: Idyllwild Stop: Fuller TH, mile 190.5 16 miles Our shuttle ride is scheduled to leave around 815am for Devil’s Slide Trail. Just before departure, Gramps realizes that he left his trekking pole at their hotel from two nights ago. He runs over but the front desk doesn’t open until 9am. I … More Day 12: Mt. San Jacinto Summit and Storm Run
Friday, May 5 Start: Idyllwild Stop: Idyllwild 0 miles I’m awake early but manage to fall back asleep after listening to the squirels do their laps around the trees outside. Yoobie, Pacer and I eventually go get breakfast at the Red Kettle but out meal is rather blah. Back at our cabin I start to … More Day 11: A Cinco de Mayo Zero
Thursday, May 4 Start: Paradise Cafe Stop: Idyllwild 17 miles It’s a massive hiker sleep over on the property around Paradise Valley Cafe. I’m sleeping next to the cardboard recycling and I keep thinking that the raccoons will be arriving any minute. I’m ready to go by 6am but the 8 of us (Dos Tacos, … More Day 10: Friends That Pull You Through – A Drum Solo
Wednesday, May 3 Start: ridge camp, mile 129 Stop: Paradise Cafe 23 miles It’s 540am, I’m hiking downhill and I’m sweating. Nights of poor sleep are adding up and I sorta move down the trail in a dazed stupor. Basically, I’m one big hot blah feeling but I move through pockets of cool air and … More Day 9: When Clouds Bring Beer And Burgers
Tuesday, May 2 Start: Warner Springs Stop: ridge top camp mile 129.25 20 miles The sky slowly brightens as we tread through the cow meadows of Warner Springs. The cows show their love by gushing pee from their bladders. I stop for a break and squeeze some rabbit pellets out of my ass. Good thing, … More Day 8: Day Of Signs And Trail Messages
Monday, May 1 Start: camp 86.6 Stop: Warner Springs 23.5 miles Total miles: 109.5 520am start isn’t the sightest bit cool. I cruise making quick miles into the third gate cache. For the first time ever I get water from the cache. Thank you angels! I take a short break before heading back out into … More Day 7: Do You Take The 100 Mile Picture The Third Time?
Journey Return 