Silverwood Lake to Cajon Pass
12.4 miles
Mile 341.9
We all slept in a bit. The 12 miles to Cajon Pass we’re easy, so there was no reason to rush.
The Valle Group campsite at Silverwood Lake we made home for the night was top notch. Large shaded ramadas, a plethora of picnic tables, outlets for charging, coin operated showers and restrooms with more toilet paper than four through hikers could go through…like I said, top notch.
Around 9 we finally meandered out of camp. We didn’t have far to go, but the heat was rough.
We took a short snack break on this great rock.
Then we pushed on for another 5 miles.
Alex and I saw a massive rattle snake slither into some shrubbery right around here. 
The desert was shrubby and mostly unspectacular until we turned a corner to find this.
The epic change in scenery was rad. Suddenly we were walking down rolling green hills towards the promise land (McDonalds).
Around 2 we approached the Golden Arches.
Walking into the air conditioned fast food joint felt great. I hadn’t been to a Micky Dees in over a decade, so it took me a minute to become reacquainted with the menu. I ended up ordering a two piece crispy buttermilk chicken strip, sausage egg burrito, bacon double cheese burger, small fry and a large Diet Coke.
It wasn’t very good…
After being persuaded by the cashier to complete an online survey I won a free chocolate sundae.
It was very good.
As we sat in the booth regretful of the poison we had just willingly consumed, we decided to grab a room at the Best Western half a mile away. The lure of a pool and jacuzzi was just too much to deny.
The trail to the hotel was treacherous.
Safely across the busy overpass, we successfully booked our room and began to unwind.
After starting a load of laundry we hit the jacuzzi for good soak. A few other hikers joined us. Sausage party that it was, the water still felt great.
We grabbed some Del Taco for dinner and spent the rest of the evening relaxing in our room.
Tomorrow is a big day. It’s about 30 miles up to Wrightwood with no reliable water along the way, so our packs will be heavy with liquid.
I’ll worry about that in the morning though…
Cheers!