Big Bear City area
Pacific Crest Trail Quest '08 - Page 4
5.17.08
Today was an easy walk of twenty miles. It was mostly through an old burn, so there
wasn't much shade, but I was up high enough to avoid the heat.
The last five miles of the hike were the best. I came out of the burn into a very pretty pine
forest, and one of the hotels in Big Bear City had left a bribe at a trailhead trying to attract
hikers. I passed a road two miles before my campsite and there on the shoulder were
coolers full of bananas and Pepsi, along with business cards. It was great! I ate and
drank my fill before heading off to camp with several other hikers who had done the same.
I'm hoping to split a hotel room in town with some other hikers tomorrow. My clothes
could use a good washing, and it's been a while since I've had a shower.
Today was an easy walk of twenty miles. It was mostly through an old burn, so there
wasn't much shade, but I was up high enough to avoid the heat.
The last five miles of the hike were the best. I came out of the burn into a very pretty pine
forest, and one of the hotels in Big Bear City had left a bribe at a trailhead trying to attract
hikers. I passed a road two miles before my campsite and there on the shoulder were
coolers full of bananas and Pepsi, along with business cards. It was great! I ate and
drank my fill before heading off to camp with several other hikers who had done the same.
I'm hoping to split a hotel room in town with some other hikers tomorrow. My clothes
could use a good washing, and it's been a while since I've had a shower.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Sunday, May 18 I feel great! I've hiked over 270 miles so far - that's one tenth of the way! |
5.18.08
I walked an easy 10 miles into the town of Big Bear City. There was another food cache at
the road left by a motel. This one had sodas and candy bars. It's Sunday, and I have mail
to pick up, so I got a hotel room and spent the day relaxing.
I bought a smaller pack. The one I have is too big, and lets my stuff rub together as I walk.
I've already worn a hole in my tent. I also bought an alcohol stove to save weight. I've
heard they're very picky, so it might be interesting.
I walked an easy 10 miles into the town of Big Bear City. There was another food cache at
the road left by a motel. This one had sodas and candy bars. It's Sunday, and I have mail
to pick up, so I got a hotel room and spent the day relaxing.
I bought a smaller pack. The one I have is too big, and lets my stuff rub together as I walk.
I've already worn a hole in my tent. I also bought an alcohol stove to save weight. I've
heard they're very picky, so it might be interesting.
| Cool mountain stream |
| To view a map of the entire Pacific Crest Trail, click to the PCTA website. |
5.19.08
I managed to get out of Big Bear City by 12:30. My stomach was full and I had no trouble
hitching to the trailhead. I hiked six miles with great views of Big Bear Lake and snow
capped mountains in the distance.
I crossed a gravel road at about 3:30 where a sign said the trail was closed ahead and
directed hikers down the road. I walked the road until 8:00. There are signs occasionally
telling me I'm still on course, and I can see the tracks of other hikers, but I have no idea
how far it is to the trail.
I stopped for the night where a small spring was flowing out of hte road. It least I'll have
water in the morning.
I really like my new backpack. My alcohol stove is a lot slower than my old one, but weighs
a pound less. I'll try it for a while and, hopefully, get used to it.
I managed to get out of Big Bear City by 12:30. My stomach was full and I had no trouble
hitching to the trailhead. I hiked six miles with great views of Big Bear Lake and snow
capped mountains in the distance.
I crossed a gravel road at about 3:30 where a sign said the trail was closed ahead and
directed hikers down the road. I walked the road until 8:00. There are signs occasionally
telling me I'm still on course, and I can see the tracks of other hikers, but I have no idea
how far it is to the trail.
I stopped for the night where a small spring was flowing out of hte road. It least I'll have
water in the morning.
I really like my new backpack. My alcohol stove is a lot slower than my old one, but weighs
a pound less. I'll try it for a while and, hopefully, get used to it.
5.19.08
I managed to get out of Big Bear City by 12:30. My stomach was full and I had no trouble
hitching to the trailhead. I hiked six miles with great views of Big Bear Lake and snow
capped mountains in the distance.
I crossed a gravel road at about 3:30 where a sign said the trail was closed ahead and
directed hikers down the road. I walked the road until 8:00. There are signs occasionally
telling me I'm still on course, and I can see the tracks of other hikers, but I have no idea
how far it is to the trail.
I stopped for the night where a small spring was flowing out of hte road. It least I'll have
water in the morning.
I really like my new backpack. My alcohol stove is a lot slower than my old one, but weighs
a pound less. I'll try it for a while and, hopefully, get used to it.
I managed to get out of Big Bear City by 12:30. My stomach was full and I had no trouble
hitching to the trailhead. I hiked six miles with great views of Big Bear Lake and snow
capped mountains in the distance.
I crossed a gravel road at about 3:30 where a sign said the trail was closed ahead and
directed hikers down the road. I walked the road until 8:00. There are signs occasionally
telling me I'm still on course, and I can see the tracks of other hikers, but I have no idea
how far it is to the trail.
I stopped for the night where a small spring was flowing out of hte road. It least I'll have
water in the morning.
I really like my new backpack. My alcohol stove is a lot slower than my old one, but weighs
a pound less. I'll try it for a while and, hopefully, get used to it.
