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?
Saturday, April 29 Start: sandy camp Stop: Julian 4.5 miles We’re up early and hitching before 8am. Julian is awesome and we feast on Carmen breakfast burritoes, Mom’s pie and Nickel beer. Hikers work on their blisters and update their blogs. I chat with Lil’ Buddha and the update is that now that the bear … More Days 5-6: To Julian and Back
Friday, April 28 Start: Pioneer Picnic Stop: Scissors Crossing Valley 21.82 miles One by one we roll out of Pioneer as the sky colors up. It’s just so perfect out and I’m truly happy to be here in this moment. I’m flying down the trail, smiling at the beauty around me. I listen to some … More Day 4: Up and Around and Around
Thursday, April 27 Start: Lower Meadow Morris Spring Stop: Pioneer Picnic Area 13.79 miles The wind rips all night. The vortex of wind is easily a sustained 20-30 mph. My tent sways to and fro as I toss and turn. It’s only a few miles into Mt. Laguna so I sleep in until 6am. Bear … More Day 3: A Fox and an ElliptiGO
Wednesday, April 26 Start: Lake Morena Stop: Lower Meadow Morris Spring 20 miles The first miles are cool and after I get up on a ridge top I message Lil’ Buddha. Bear update is that the bear outsmarted the culvert trap probably due to the wet soggy soil and unstable footing of the trap. At … More Day 2: The Drag
Tuesday, April 25 Start: Southern Terminus Stop: Lake Morena 20.6 miles Multiple alarms go off at 430am, followed by the rustle of backpacks being loaded with gear. The Scout and Frodo breakfast promptly starts at 530am and hikers gobble down fritatta, fresh fruit, muffins and coffee. I decide to call Lil’ Buddha for a bear … More Day 1: Bear Business
Journey Return 