Nothing much to say today, except a nice relaxing time at Hiker Heaven.A pleasant breakfast though:Will set off in the morning as early as I can manage.

We have broken the £1000 barrier! Thanks all 😁

After a thoroughly refreshing stop at the campground, I only did 10 miles because I couldn’t refuse the pleasure that is Hiker Heaven. But more on that later.The first few miles was quite familiar terrain:

But after crossing highway 14 I encountered Vasquez Rocks park which has been used for countless films including Star Trek

The small settlement of Agua Dulce has a Mexican restaurant with stupendously sized Margaritas

Who was I to resist?The restaurant filled with PCT hikers and we together proceeded to Hiker Heaven (https://hikerheaven.com/) where the Saufley’s open their doors to hundreds of hikers.It is amazingly organised; laundry is done for us, and we have access to all the facilities we need. The garden is a sea of tents.I met up with people I hadn’t seen for a while , including ‘Mild Sauce’ (if you don’t know who this is, you need to keep up with the blog more often 😜)

I now have a choice, it’s 24 miles to another famous trail angel at Casa Dr Luna. I can either hike some of the miles tomorrow and do the rest th next day, or take a full zero tomorrow and do a 24 mile day afterwards. Hmmm

A very productive day. Pilgrim was up and about before me but I still managed my earliest start yet, heading out at 6.25.

The weather was moderate, the trail was predominantly descending (though with plenty of mini climbs) and I was up for it, so I posted my longest day yet. The fact that I have eaten almost all my food and my pack is light helps too!

The early start meant that the low clouds over the valley hadn’t burnt off yet:

A short-ish climb led to gentle descent and contouring round the hills, and my initial destination was the Ranger Station at 17 miles.

I bumped into the Liverpool Hikers, Brian and Heidi, again. First time I’d seen them for 300 miles!

Arrived at the Ranger station but unfortunately the Germans had got there first and claimed the first picnic bench. We quickly grabbed the second, fearing that they would annex it.

The ranger provided water and also sold us soda (see, I’m Americanised now. That’s pop or fizzy drink to you).

I decided I was in good shape to press on to the KOA campground.

Just to clarify, when I usually mention ‘campground’, for example ‘Little Jimmy’s’ from the other day, it is a basic camping area with, if lucky, a pit toilet and bear boxes, and no water. However this is a proper campground as we might understand it in the UK with showers, a little shop etc.

The long day leaves me with only a 10 mile walk to Hiker Heaven ( https://hikerheaven.com/). Will resupply there for the next section.

I felt much better this morning after last night’s rest – and the day only improved!

First, I reached the 400 mile marker! I need to up my speed if I intend to finish this trail, but nonetheless I am proud to hit this mark.

Just a mile after my camp spot, there is a hut with water called Camp Glenwood, often used by local scouts I believe. Well being the weekend, some fine folks were there and I got a second breakfast of eggs and quesadilla with fresh coffee – I felt like a hobbit. Moreover we finished it off with an early morning shot of tequila! It’s lovely to encounter such unexpected generosity.

The trail today was gorgeous, the weather mild. There were literally swarms of Monarch butterflies – I’m not exaggerating to say I saw more butterflies today than the rest of my life combined.

Then came the Japanese-American day hikers who gave me a bag on mini cucumbers and a bag of trail mix. Lovely people keen to chat.

And even better, some unexpected phone reception so I got to speak with Fleur too!

Ended up camping at Mill Creek Picnic Area with a lovely man called Pilgrim, next to a ‘No Camping’ sign…

I’ve finished with the snow for a while. It persisted for a couple of miles out of Little Jimmy’s Campground then petered out. Of course once the trail became easier I relaxed and promptly turned my ankle. Ouch.

To keep things interesting there was a short 1200′ climb in the morning. I think none of those who were on Baden Powell yesterday found it easy, everyone looked a bit tired.

The rest of the day was not strenuous but I still chose a camp spot before 4pm so I could take an easy evening.

Such a tough day. The first three miles was a good warm up on easy terrain. However summiting Mt Baden Powell entailed 3000′ of climb in 3 miles, and to make it more difficult the top half of the climb was snow. The path pretty much disappeared and I just headed for the top as best I could.

I was rewarded with a great view and also my highest mountain climbed – 9406′.

I believe I am part of the first English Man-Sheep team to summit the mountain:

Going down to Little Jimmy Campground was a slow affair, lots of snow, very little actual path and to exacerbate the situation the snow was getting soft in the afternoon sun.

So in all I did 13 miles but it took me over 10 hours in all!

I had great trouble tearing myself away but set off around 9.30 back up the Acorn Trail towards the PCT. The climb was over 2000′ but the weather cool so wasn’t too bad. I headed through patches of snow past the Wrightwood ski runs to end up at the Grassy Hollow campground.I was a little concerned about water but thankfully there is a water cache here maintained by the locals.Tomorrow should see me up Mt Baden Powell, conditions permitting.

Another rest day and Wrightwood is definitely worthy of it. Luckily it was Tuesday, so a free Margherita with a well priced Mexican meal. It was so big it sufficed as lunch and dinner.

Had lots more animal therapy with Pebbles, the trail angel’s dog:

I’ve decided to take the most straightforward option tomorrow and just hike back up the Acorn Trail and carry on where I left off.