Day 47 - PCT 2024
Miles Hiked: 17.8
Total Ascent: 5,053.5 ft.
Total Descent: 5,183.7 ft.
I was able to get an early morning ride from Wrightwood back to the trailhead from a local trail angel. I’m still so amazed by the trail angel community along the PCT. People in these towns genuinely care about the hikers and it’s wonderful having the support. There were three other hikers in the car; three of us being from BC! What are the odds?!
Two of the hikers decided to summit Mount Baden-Powell and got out early to prepare. The other hiker and I both, unfortunately, passed on the summit. Although beautiful, technically the summit is off of the PCT. With my knee the way it is, summiting in the snow just isn’t doable right now, especially since I mailed my ice axe ahead to the Sierras. The trail around Wrightwood is still very snow covered and icy. Being at such a high elevation in the mountains makes for treacherous conditions at this time of the year.
Highway 2, coming from LA, intertwines its way past the PCT in several spots for many miles. The highway was badly damaged a couple of years ago and has been closed to vehicle traffic since. Rather than hiking the actual PCT trail in icy, snow covered slope conditions, the PCT has an alternate route walking down Highway 2 beginning at Vincent Gap. I decided to take this option and boy was I glad I did! The first 8 miles of the road walk was clear of snow and the views were beautiful! The road winds around the mountain and was a bit eerie without any traffic. I’ve never done something like this before.
I knew there’d be snow ahead from comments left on FarOut. I just didn’t know where. Crews drove past me as I began my hike this morning so I assumed the crews would be snow clearing and I was correct. As I rounded a curve, I stumbled upon 4 crews clearing snow. The first 3 saw me and pulled to the side so I could safely pass. As I approached the 4th, he pulled over but I walked up to a wall of snow blocking the road. I yelled up, “hey, how do I safely get over?” He responded, “step back, I’ll make you a ramp.” And so he did!! How cool! I was up and over and into the snow within minutes.
I put on my microspikes and carried on down the road to a mix of snow and fallen rocks. There were rocks all over. I even watched rocks fall down the cliff, slamming onto the road, narrowly missing me. It was an adrenaline filled road walk at this point. Only lasting about 2 miles, I was thrilled to reach clear pavement again.
At Islip Saddle, Highway 2 reopened to traffic. Unless you’re day hiking, or on a crotch rocket as I learned later on, nobody comes up here. Highway 2 is closed further down toward the LA side as well so detours make this drive a huge hassle.
The trail resumes at Islip but FarOut comments suggested continuing on the road walk to avoid the last bunch of snow. I agreed since there were no cars around. And I’m so glad I did. I encountered tunnels! And walking through the tunnels and calling out to hear my own echo was beyond fun. It was like I was a kid again! I mistakenly picked up the trail on the other side of the tunnels, climbing up a ridge through a burn area and back down a steep loose sand slope, twisting my knee. Back to agony! All for a mile of trail to jump back on the road again. I was pissed. I’m still pissed! My knee hasn’t recovered from that minor twist on the slope. The rest of the road walk was painful. At this point I had to road walk around a trail closure for endangered frogs. Some hikers went in the closure anyway but I thought that was bad forum. It’s closed for a reason with the road as an alternate by the PCTA. Signs indicated as much and it’s clearly marked on FarOut.
Unfortunately my knee was acting up. To the point I was texting Malcolm on the Garmin (no cell reception at all in here) about what to do and if I needed help out. I decided I’d camp a couple miles ahead and see how it felt in the morning.
16 miles in, I ran into Kathryn! Who knew?! She was days ahead (providing me trail updates on my Garmin, thank you Kathryn!!) but since she decided to summit Baden-Powell, she had a couple of low mileage days. With my high mileage day today, I caught up to her. We were both thrilled! Her mom had met up with her to provide her resupply of food so she was slower today waiting for that. Although she wanted to hike to mile 399 today, I was far too exhausted with my full day that I suggested we camp at Buckhorn Campground, taking me to just under 18 miles for the day. She agreed!
It was a lovely campground! I was thrilled to have a creek for water and a dedicated tent site to set up at. There was even a pit toilet and garbage cans! No other hikers were there and it felt like our very own oasis. The campground also had picnic tables and bear lockers. We hung out for a while, eating dinner and getting our stuff setup and as it got dark, we retreated to our tents.
My knee is really acting up as I write this. Trying to stretch and strengthen it as best I can. I’m starting to think my zero in Wrightwood wasn’t long enough. I’m talking to Malcolm and he’s posted on the Wrightwood Trail Angel Facebook page looking for advice on what to do in the event I’m unable to move tomorrow morning. Hoping it doesn’t come to that. There’s not much traffic on this road up here otherwise I might hitch hike to the nearest town. Tomorrow is a Saturday though so maybe I’ll get lucky. But I’m really hoping my knee is just better tomorrow. Kathryn has decided she’d take the trail tomorrow and I’ll take the road walk down to the last PCT crossing to meet up with her. Once I hop back on trail, there’s nothing for miles upon miles.
Wish me luck.
