PCT 2022| CALIFORNIA | DAYS 27-30 Town Vortex and Big Bear to mm282.6
Miles Hiked: 16.5 miles
Elevation: ___ ft ascent | ___ ft descent
The town vortex. Enough said. Laundry, walking two miles round trip to Big 5, and walking around the village on day one. Taking the bus to Big Bear for food resupply at Vons and Stater Bros on day two. Relaxing on day three, because I could (and my hip hurt).
Then, it was time to put in the miles. A few miles in I started to realize that getting new insoles was probably not the best idea. I knew better, but my old insoles were paper thin, as are the heels of my shoes. I should have ordered new pairs of the same and had them sent ahead a few days…but. I did it anyway. Never again.
Flowering scarlet hedgehog cacti. New people (including a mom and her four hound boys that are on their second thru hike and crush 20+ miles a day).
I didn’t know where I was going to stop. I reached the water source for a late lunch. A puddle of cold water by a bridge. An empty cache that was soon refilled with nearly eight gallons of water by a trail angel. Just a few more miles.
I ended up camping on a ridge at mile 282.6 — views all around — with a new group of hikers (two of whom happened to be nurses as well). I joined them for dinner until sun set and the win picked up. Later in the night, many of us were woken by what sounded like the booming stereo bass in the distance. Faint at times, but grew louder on occasion. Didn’t expect a rave in the mountains.