First 100 Miles in 5 Days
I'm now in Wrightwood, Mile 369. During this run I pulled two 28 mile days.
Three noteworthy events happened this run.
First, I now have a trail name... Man Down, M.D. for short. Two days after Big Bear we hit up Deep Creek Hot Spring. After hiking 28 miles to get there it felt great. It was on the river so there was a swimming hole and several hot spring pools in the area. Several of us were in the process of moving up from the river to a pool when my foot slipped on the wet rock. I fell down, ~3', and landed on a flat ridge that others were waiting behind me on. In the process I knocked one of my buddies into the water. I was waiting for a trail name to reflect something stupid I did, there it is.
Second, the day after the Hot Springs was an easy 22 miles. I shot off earlier than most just to take my time. I was the first to arrive at the Silverwood Lake Recreation Area. I approached the entrance station and asked how much to camp. Response was $2 but don't worry about that. I was directed to camp behind campsite 13. When I reached the destination my first and only thought was "Grass!!!!". I have not seen such green, soft and comfy grass in all 328 miles of the pct. I immediately sat in the shade of a huge tree and ate an apple. I relaxed the rest of the afternoon and evening. Around 7pm everyone else showed up, 15 hikers in all. Every single hiker had the exact same thought as I and found a patch for the night. At 12:50am I awoke to someone screaming "Oh Shit!" There were 5 sprinklers scattered across the lawn. While a few people were in tents the majority were sleeping under the stars. I sat up and started laughing at the situation. Hikers were jumping out of there sleeping bags and running for the picnic tables, all the tables and fire rings were surrounded by sand, we ignored them for the grass. Some were taking down their tents while others hopped to safety fully enclosed in their bivy sac. Suddenly, while I was laughing, I noticed one of the sprinklers was huge, and started rotating my way. Smile now gone from my face I joined in the chaos. I didn't make it. I got blasted down one arm and my bag got a nice dose of water as well. After we all found new locations, in the sand, and a couple hikers but in some choice words, we went back to sleep. at 1:50am there was a second volley but no one needed to pay heed. The next morning, sleeping bag soaked, I packed up and headed out. I made out of the situation well, a couple were caught in between two sprinklers at once and their bags lost the ability to insulate. We all have been laughing about it since. That grass was a "Venus Fly Trap for Hikers".
Third, there was a McDonalds less than .4 miles from the PCT at Cajon Pass. We all stopped there to get lunch and dry our bags from the sprinklers. What can only be described as disgusting I had
Large McFlurry with Oreos and M&Ms
Big Mac with double meat and cheese
Large Sprite
Large French Fries
Bacon and Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken on top
Honestly I can say that all that fat, calories and sugar did not go to waste.
So I'm a few days from Agua Dulce, which is right before the Mojave Desert. Once I'm done with the desert I start to head up into the Sierras. I cannot wait.
Hope all is well, and Enjoy
Three noteworthy events happened this run.
First, I now have a trail name... Man Down, M.D. for short. Two days after Big Bear we hit up Deep Creek Hot Spring. After hiking 28 miles to get there it felt great. It was on the river so there was a swimming hole and several hot spring pools in the area. Several of us were in the process of moving up from the river to a pool when my foot slipped on the wet rock. I fell down, ~3', and landed on a flat ridge that others were waiting behind me on. In the process I knocked one of my buddies into the water. I was waiting for a trail name to reflect something stupid I did, there it is.
Second, the day after the Hot Springs was an easy 22 miles. I shot off earlier than most just to take my time. I was the first to arrive at the Silverwood Lake Recreation Area. I approached the entrance station and asked how much to camp. Response was $2 but don't worry about that. I was directed to camp behind campsite 13. When I reached the destination my first and only thought was "Grass!!!!". I have not seen such green, soft and comfy grass in all 328 miles of the pct. I immediately sat in the shade of a huge tree and ate an apple. I relaxed the rest of the afternoon and evening. Around 7pm everyone else showed up, 15 hikers in all. Every single hiker had the exact same thought as I and found a patch for the night. At 12:50am I awoke to someone screaming "Oh Shit!" There were 5 sprinklers scattered across the lawn. While a few people were in tents the majority were sleeping under the stars. I sat up and started laughing at the situation. Hikers were jumping out of there sleeping bags and running for the picnic tables, all the tables and fire rings were surrounded by sand, we ignored them for the grass. Some were taking down their tents while others hopped to safety fully enclosed in their bivy sac. Suddenly, while I was laughing, I noticed one of the sprinklers was huge, and started rotating my way. Smile now gone from my face I joined in the chaos. I didn't make it. I got blasted down one arm and my bag got a nice dose of water as well. After we all found new locations, in the sand, and a couple hikers but in some choice words, we went back to sleep. at 1:50am there was a second volley but no one needed to pay heed. The next morning, sleeping bag soaked, I packed up and headed out. I made out of the situation well, a couple were caught in between two sprinklers at once and their bags lost the ability to insulate. We all have been laughing about it since. That grass was a "Venus Fly Trap for Hikers".
Third, there was a McDonalds less than .4 miles from the PCT at Cajon Pass. We all stopped there to get lunch and dry our bags from the sprinklers. What can only be described as disgusting I had
Large McFlurry with Oreos and M&Ms
Big Mac with double meat and cheese
Large Sprite
Large French Fries
Bacon and Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken on top
Honestly I can say that all that fat, calories and sugar did not go to waste.
So I'm a few days from Agua Dulce, which is right before the Mojave Desert. Once I'm done with the desert I start to head up into the Sierras. I cannot wait.
Hope all is well, and Enjoy
posted by Damon at
1:32 PM
1 Comments:
Damon:
Your folks told me about your web site - sounds like you're having an awesome experience! Fantastic! Love the "venus fly trap for hikers" - classic! Remind you a little of camping at Assateague Island?? Stay safe and have a great trek!
Jim Lay
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