Bushcamp to Arrastre Trail Camp
24.6 miles
Mile 256.2
Got up around 5 to begin my morning routine of:
- Pack snacks into belt pouches
- Brush teeth
- Organize ditty bag
- Fart
- Stuff quilt and inflatable pillow into stuff sacks
- Roll up sleeping pad
- Fart
- Replace sleeping socks with hiking socks
- Make breakfast brown drink
- Drink said drink
- Carefully crawl from tent while farting
Morning chores completed, I located a great stump to enjoy the sunrise from while journaling the previous days events.
About an hour later the boys were packed up and we got moving. The plan was to knock out 25 miles to a trail camp with water and picnic tables. From there we’d have an easy ten miles into Big Bear the following day.
The day started with a climb leading us out of the desert up into the pines of San Bernardino National Forest.
We were pumped for the cooler temperature as we ascended in elevation. Yesterday had been brutal. About 7 miles in we crossed Mission Creek for the final time. We chilled here for a bit, cameling up on water for the 18 mile dry stretch we were about to walk.
While filtering our water we met a hiker named The Prodigy. He had hiked the PCT last year and was just out for a section hike before beginning his attempt of a calendar year triple crown. Quite the undertaking, as it involves completing the AT, PCT and CDT within 12 months. Most people take 6 months just to do one of those trails! Nuts!!
Anyways, he was a cool dude and ended up hiking with us the remainder of the day while providing us with excellent trail notes of what to expect in the upcoming sections.
The trail flattened out around 8500 ft. We spent the remainder of the day ridge walking.
This rock provided excellent chillability, so naturally we stopped for a snack before busting out the final ten miles.
We passed by a private zoo that keeps lions, tigers and bears for use in movies. It was a bummer to see a big brown bear in a tiny cage, so I didn’t really feel like taking photos.
We made it to camp around 6.
After pillaging the remainder of my food bag I was ready for bed. My legs were screaming at me from the long day, so sleep came quick and deep.
P.s. Trail tip of the day provided by The Prodigy:
Pre dig your cat hole before going to bed. That way you’re all set when nature calls in the morning.
Cheers!