May 24, 2008 Pacific Crest Trail

Destination: Moore's House, Wrightwood
Miles: 6

Adrian: Today we are staying with amazing trail angels Bob and Maria. They gave us their whole basement, beds and all the food and drink we could consume. Bob works for the National Forest Service so we get good updates on weather and trail conditions on demand.

We wanted to leave town today but the snow put those plans on hold. Instead, Bob drove us up to Highway 2 and the PCT so we could log at least a few miles and see what the conditions are like. We basically walked 6 PCT miles and then hiked the Acorn trail back into town for a total hike of 9 miles.

There are snowdrifts up to 3 feet deep and the average trail coverage is about 3 inches. There was thick fog and visibility was about 50 feet for most of the hike. We good gear though and cruised it.

Tomorrow we are hitting the trail northbound again. We have the option of 3 trails all at different elevations, so we can pick how much snow we want to hike in.



The PCT would take us up to 9,900 feet to the summit of Mount Baden-Powell, named after the founder of the Boy Scouts. It is a major pilgrimage for Scouts, and I was one back in the day. There are Limber pines up there that are over 2000 years old too, so obviously taking the PCT would be the best option.

The other options are hiking the closed Highway 2 at a lower elevation or the High Desert National Recreation Trail. Both would be safer than the PCT and at a significantly lower altitude.

We've heard of hikers being turned back on Baden-Powell due to icy chutes and too much snow so everything is up in the air right now. Well except for one thing, and that is that we are heading north again tomorrow.

Next stop, the Saufley's!

Kirsten: I never thought I would be making a snow angel in SoCal in May. The snow up above the town was wet and heavy and blanketed the pine trees. It was beautiful. I am still a little scared about the trail tomorrow. It rises to a higher elevation - if we follow the PCT to Baden-Powell. I know Adrian wants to take the trail. He won't push it though.

The Moore's are amazing. Maria made us lentil soup and then a yucca and green bean salad. She also made these homemade taquito-type things and a huge salad. Oh, and homemade Spanish rice. The people we've met continue to surprise me with their generosity.