Day 22: (04/26): to 261.9 :: 8.7 miles

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Today is the day for getting picked up. We are excited and try to race down the trail, only we have little energy from lack of food and don’t make it anywhere fast! Luckily the walking is mostly level with not too much up or down and are backpacks are light in the absence of food. 

We hike on the desert side of the ridge and are surprised to see Joshua Trees in the same views as snowy mountains and ski runs. Big Bear is a popular resort town that has a few ski areas nearby and many people come from all over Southern California to visit. It’s not just a winter destination though, there are lakes in the area that attract summer time visitors. I have not spent much time here. I think I have only been once, for my sisters wedding a few years ago. Her husband’s family has a house here, so they have spent a lot of time here, and that is why we chose it as a meeting place. We had planned for just Shannon and Zak to come, but my mom and sister May wanted to come too, so they are driving up from San Diego and bringing us lots of things from home. 

We will actually be getting off the trail for a week and flying to Florida to move a motor coach for a couple that we drove for in the fall. We moved their motorhome from Indio, CA to Naples, FL. We happened to get the job just by pure chance. They rode on Jeff’s bus one day last summer in Alaska on a transfer from the airport to the Silver Sea cruise ship in Seward. On cruise ship days, there is usually a bus an hour and sometimes two going to the ship. I drove the departure an hour ahead of Jeff and he drove this couple who I guess liked him enough to offer him a side job! Their coach is the same brand and size that we drive up there, Prevost, 46 feet! Anyway we are going to Florida to move the coach from it’s winter home to a storage place for the summer. We really enjoyed working with them in the fall and are excited to visit Florida again. We think a break from the trail will probably be good for us too!

We were supposed to make it 12 miles to where the PCT crosses highway 18, a major road. We had hoped to make it more miles on the previous days so there wasn’t so much left for the last day. We wanted to be done by about noon so everyone wouldn’t be waiting around for us and it’s not looking like that’s going to happen, so search the Guthook map for any alternative exit points and find an upcoming neighborhood. We have cell phone service, so we call my mom and May and ask to get picked up 4 miles early on forest service road 2N02. It looks like a major road and is next to a neighborhood, so it should be ok for her Prius!

We can see the road for awhile before we reach it, it’s on a hill above us and we spot her car but it seems to be not moving or at least not going anywhere fast, because it stays in the same general region for awhile as we approach. We see lots of 4WD enthusiasts go past in their Jeeps, 4Runners and Tacomas. We reach the road crossing just as she decides she can’t take the car any farther. We can see them but they can’t see us. Jeff starts making his signature bird calls to alert them of our presence and eventually they see us and are relieved that they won’t have to abandon the car and walk the road to find us. It turns out it was not a well maintained dirt road, or at least it’s not right now! But with May’s expert off road skills they made it, haha!! And Nancy the Prius didn’t die or suffer any permanent damage! They come bearing gifts of food and whisk us away contentedly to the cabin where Shannon and Zak are waiting with more culinary delights! Veggie poké bowls!

After we are well fed we sort through all of the stuff that they packed for us that we might want for our trip to Florida. They were supposed to be picking us up and taking us home, but due to COVID our flight was cancelled and we have to fly out of LA instead of San Diego. We take only a small selection of the offering, being through hikers we have learned to pack light and take only what is necessary. We also don’t want to check a bag.

After lunch and reorganization we part ways. May and mom go back to San Diego and Shannon and Zak drive us to a hotel near the LA airport. We are very grateful to have a ride and to have been brought what we needed from home. 

We have to wear masks to check in and sign a waiver claiming that we are here on essential business. We order Mexican take out food and stay in our room for the rest of the evening. We have a view of the mountains and of houses and backyards in the surrounding neighborhoods. We enjoy the luxury of warm fresh food, couches, showering and a cushioned bed. Tomorrow morning we go to the airport.


The view looking East from the trail near Big Bear, towards the desert.

Juniper tree, snowy mountains and dry landscape all in one view

One of the Big Bear area ski hills 

Joshua Trees 

Neighborhood near Baldwin Lake where we got picked up 

Food and seats to sit in!
A reunion!

We enjoyed the view of the sunset and the interesting look into backyards! That’s someone’s whole life there!

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