Day 23: (05/10): to 266.1-275 :: 8.9 miles

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We were supposed to come back to the trail yesterday, but it took me until 1 pm to finish packing the necessary resupply packages. At that point we decided it would really be more pleasant if we just waited until the next day and could actually leave in the morning now that we were ready. After this was decided, I took a brief break and then continued the madness of resupply box packing. I managed to pack another 8 days worth. We are now taken care of for the next month as far as our food is concerned. It’s a lot of work packing all of our own food, but we sure appreciate the healthy food and the variety while we are out.


Today is Mother’s Day and it’s a good day to go for an “adventure” to the trail with mom and May. Jeff, Mom and I drive our mini van to Poway to meet May. We then transfer to her fuel efficient Prius for the rest of the ride. We stop at Jimbo’s in Escondido for our favorite LoneStar tofu sandwich, then again in Murrieta at Intazza Coffee Works and then in Big Bear for takeout Poké bowls. You have to plan your stops carefully for toilet usage during corona! Many toilets are no longer available for the public making it difficult for long distance motorists!


We get back on trail a little after two, on highway 18 near Big Bear. My hand held grocery bag is heavy with produce and extra luxuries from town, but it’s an easy 9 miles to camp. We notice the toll that two weeks away has taken on our fitness/endurance/ability to tolerate the backpack. Along the way the scenery is pleasant, a dry slope of piñon pine and junipers and views of distant mountains and the desert. The final miles trickle away slowly, we stop before dark. Dinner is an orange, lentil peanut bars, blueberry muffins with chocolate coconut butter and some nori wrapped veggie snacks, all homemade and so satisfying! Worth the weight! By 8:30 we are laying down in the tent ready to pass out.


It is good to be back to the trail. We are lucky to live nearby and to have had the opportunity to go home and to “try out” the trail for awhile. It will now be awhile before we go back home and we are in this for the long haul, I guess it finally feels real. We are so grateful for my Mom and May who are always willing to help, even on Mother’s Day!



Saying goodbye at highway 18 in Big Bear 

Hiking along the dry desert side of the ridge. It’s lush on the Big Bear side, but we enjoy the desert view and the junipers!

Trail magic! We find an apple hanging in the tree at a road crossing that leads to the local landfill.

An open air pit toilet, typical of national forests. This one is extra nice, it has a privacy wall and hand railings for sore hikers to lower themselves to the seat! 

View of Baldwin Lake and the neighborhood near where we got back on the trail. The lake looks nearly dry and it’s a strange color, but it’s there.

Long distance view to the north in the evening.

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