Day 26: (05/13): to 329.5 :: 18.4 miles

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Wednesday 5/13


We walk only half an hour this morning before reaching a wide open view of civilization. We had more energy last night and could have hiked further but we are glad we didn’t because there are no campsites for miles. Now we can see a few high desert towns in the distance, a busy railroad line, a large valley, a flood control dam and the far off mountains near Wrightwood that we will be hiking in the next week.


After about an hour we are walking below the dam and crossing Deep Creek for the last time. We stop for breakfast with a scenic view of the river flowing into a tunnel in the massive rock wall of the dam and disappearing.


We hike above the valley along a ridge until lunch time, with views of the snowy Mt Baldy, a popular LA ski area, and a few other high peaks nearby. Because the PCT take the scenic and gentle route everywhere it goes, we often can see where we trying to get to for days and sometimes even weeks! We will often spend hours or even all day looking at the same view from every possible angle! 


We hike through a burn zone from a few years ago, and there isn’t much shade, but instead we have many wildflowers to enjoy. We see a dazzling new purple one that we haven’t seen before! It’s two toned purple and is so bright it seems like it glows.


Lunch is had in the shade of a concrete underpass below another dam, this one holding back the water of Silverwood Lake. Lunch is another luxury meal: Sopes (thick bowl like corn tortilas), coconut bacon, cucumber and a combination of hummus and Bitchin Sauce (that’s it’s actual name!) that I dehydrated at home. It is another delicious combination!


After lunch and for the rest of the afternoon we walk around Silverwood Lake. I had never been before and find it to be quite peaceful and picturesque. We find our own little secluded cove and take a a refreshing swim. The lake is pretty dead since most of its parking areas are closed off due to Corona Virus. On the opposite shore from the trail, we spot a big campground with beaches, lifeguard towers, and a boat launch with kayaks and paddle boats for rent. All of it is closed. We don’t see a single boat on the lake, just a scattering of fishermen along the shores and no one else! 


We hike a short way up the river that flows into the lake and camp near a highway side picnic area. We are right next to highway 138. Many hikers get pizza delivered to this rest area! We dreamed of pizza all day, but when we finally get there an call, they tell us it could be almost 2 hours before they could get it out to us, so we give up on that idea! It would have been dark by the time it arrived. Instead, we utilize the picnic tables, trash cans and water faucets of the rest area, then retreat back into the bushes. We hiked 18.4 miles today and are again very tired!



Mojave flood control dam 

Deep Creek going through the flood control dam

The valley we hiked above and the mountains in the distance 

Flannel Bush, I learned it’s name!

Purple penstemon 

Looking back toward the dam and the valley 

We found this bottle on the trail today when we were thirsty with not quite enough water. It comes from an ancient aquifer in San Diego! 

Lunch under the bridge!

Sopes for lunch

Beautiful Silverwood Lake and lilac bushes 

On the trail high above the lake 

Silverwood Lake 

Silverwood Lake and the big campground and boat launch 

Nice rest area 

Comments

  1. JackiAugust 9, 2020 at 1:23 PM

    This is awesome, guys! April, your writing is captivating! 💕

    ReplyDelete
  2. JGAugust 19, 2020 at 11:15 AM

    I have never seen Silverwood Lake, that I can remember. Quite beautiful. I'm glad you list the names of all the flowers you see. Nice to know what they are, although I have no idea how you remember them all.

    ReplyDelete

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