Day 21 – 9 miles/275
After pair of good hotel omelets, Maggie and I organized our packs and cleaned gear in our room. We enjoyed our hotel room up to 5 minutes before the 11am check out. We grabbed some lunch in town then started making moves to get back on trail. We waited a little while for the free trolley, but realized it would be some time so we decided to try and hitch a ride. Once again, we got lucky. The first woman driving out of the shopping center saw us and asked, “Are you lost?” She gave us a ride right back to the trail, a little detour for her on her way home. With a 6 day resupply, our packs were heavy. Thankfully, a short distance in the plan, just 9 miles to camp at a water source. We took an hour long break after 3 miles of hiking, because why not?
We cruised down the final 6 to find a circle of hikers gathered. About a dozen folks had the same idea as us, and 10 more wandered in before dark. Socializing was nice after not getting a chance to hang out with any hikers in town. It did feel a bit crowded, definitely the largest congregation of hikers we’ve seen yet, but everyone was respectful and in bed by 9.
Day 22 – 23 miles/298
Maggie and I were not quite the last group out of camp, but we were definitely near the back of the pack. We hiked through dense conifer forest on the ridge north of Big Bear Lake before dropping down to Holcomb creek.
Many of the hikers we camped with were eating lunch at the watering hole 11 miles in, a traveling mob of ravenous backpackers. All good though. Maggie and I set our sights for 23 miles to get ahead of this bubble. We hiked 6 more to the next creek crossing for a snack break. Most folks walked by, but we saw them set up camp a little further down the trail while we carried on.
The trail left the creek and climbed up briefly. I was fading around mile 20 as the sun was waning, but we pushed on. Lenticular clouds off in the distance looked like spaceships ready to invade L.A. We made it to our campsite finally, a sandy beach next to Deep Creek.
Our plan worked, there was only one other party camped there, and we were able to set up out of sight. We got our tent up before dark. It was warm enough to make dinner out of the tent. We laid awake too long despite being exhausted from our long day.
Day 23 – 15(+2) miles/313
We slept in a bit, feeling the pain from the long day before. To be honest, we both felt surprisingly good (i.e. not super sore) in the morning. We got going at 8:40 just as the first few hikers were coming through our camp. It turned out to be the Wolf Pack! Turns out they had a slow start out of Big Bear but they hike fast and far when they need to. Seems they work hard to play hard.
The trail took us up high on the steep sides of deep creek canyon. We were probably within 100 feet of the creek most of the day, but it roared below us, guarded by 50 degree slopes. We worked our way down the canyon, undulating up and down, and in and out of every side drainage. At last, 9 miles in, we reached one of the best pit stops yet – Deep Creek Hot Springs. Several hot pools, stone circles partially constructed with concrete, right on the banks of the cool creek, and a large sandy beach made for a popular rest stop.
Maggie and I arrived around lunch time with about 10 others already there. After we tried out the water and ate lunch, most of the hikers from the day before trickled in, on top of several day hikers. It was popping, but I must say, it never felt overwhelming. There was plenty of space, and everyone was very much on the same page of getting some peaceful relaxation.
After three hours, we had gotten our fill. Talk of a bar with cold beer spread quickly amongst the hikers. It would be another 6.4 miles and a bonus road walk mile or two. Our long day before really set us up for success here. Two hour later we found ourselves on top of a dam. Two Dutch women caught up to us and we all walked to the bar, crossing deep sand and the Mojave river. At the Joshua Inn, we were reunited with the Wolf Pack, numerous other hikers, and a handful of Hesperia locals.
We ordered pizza and drank PBRs past our bedtime. I got into a lengthy discussion on the negative externalities of energy production with two locals as the bar was closing down. All the hikers camped in the back. The ground was rather hard, so we were all hammering in our tent stakes with rocks- tic-tic-tic-tic-tic. Someone shouted from the tent, “It sounds like you guys are mining out there!” It was really an awesome day.
Day 24 – 21 miles/335
Unsurprisingly, it was a slow start at the Inn. We got a ride from Scary Gary, a whiskey drinking trail angel, and got on trail at 8:20. We had rather boring scenery for 12 miles. It almost felt like punishment after having a little too much fun.
We crested over the hill to silverwood lake and our mood changed instantly. We found a lovely beach to chill on and have lunch. The Dutch girls and Wolf Pack joined us. It was cool and windy, so we refrained from jumping in, but it was nice to dip our feet. We spent two hours on the beach, a healthy siesta.
We plugged along above the shore of Silverwood lake for a few miles. Gorgeous views were all around! We dropped down to the campground and picnic area to get water, it was an absolute ghost town. It’s early season, but it felt like the apocalypse had happened. We got water from bathroom sink, which tasted metallic. Our streams of late tasted better. Climbed up over the next ridge, offering views of our journey from the day and the mountains near Big Bear far in the distance.
It was a long climb for the end of the day, burning our butts and thighs. At 20 mi mark, I said, “It hardly feels like we hiked 20 miles.” I spoke a little too soon as the bonk quickly hit after. We made it to camp with the Wolf Pack. It was quite windy, but the tent held. I had a double ramen dinner and we passed out.
Day 25 – 6 miles/341
Wind died down throughout the night, and we slept well. As per usual, our friends made it out of camp before us. We set out for six and a half miles to reach a long awaited destination – McDonald’s. A short climb gave us a view of I-15 and a major freight train a few miles away. So much movement. The noise was already quite audible and intimidating.
The trail took us down a curvaceous descent, ending in a small and scenic canyon before spitting us out at I-15. The noise was even more unsettling here but this is the price we pay for modern civilization with two day shipping. We got to Mickey D’s around 10:15. The place was partially under construction, so all the tables and chairs were.. missing? All good, we’re used to sitting on the ground. We got our fill of fast food breakfast, and Maggie got the large iced coffee of her dreams. We wandered outside to check out the convenience store next door, but before we got inside, a bright rainbow colored umbrella caught out eye. A guy had a small cart and he was serving up nothing but fresh fruit – watermelon, mango, and pineapple! We couldn’t resist. He filled up a massive cup for $8, total worth it. The mango was particularly heavenly. We sat of a small patch of grass eating out fruit and pondering out next move.
A storm was forecast to hit that night with a bit of rain and wind. A hotel on the other side of the intestate was beckoning. We looked at the trail ahead and decided to get a room, partly for the weather, but also to do laundry and take a shower, since it would probably be another week until the next chance to do so. The Wolf Pack had already checked in, so we followed close behind. Showers, laundry, and more relaxing. It was a bit of an unexpected, perhaps unearned, nearo, but we were content to be clean and warm. As dinner approached, we weighed our options- Subway or Del Taco. Obviously we went for America’s finest Mexican restaurant with some beers and ice cream bars from the gas station to go.
When you set your expectations rock bottom, you will only be impressed, and honestly we both really enjoyed our Del Taco burritos. We sat by the pool as the sun got near the horizon, a cool west wind blowing the palm tree fronds around ahead of the storm. We spent the rest of the evening hanging out with the Wolf Pack, eventually heading down to the hot tub to soak our feet. A number of other hikers came out to join, and several more filed in eager to escape the weather. It was a pleasant evening with fun and interesting conversations.
Distance Over Time 