Start point

Onyx Summit Trail intersection with PCT, mile 252.1

End point

Tentsite at mile 265.7

Miles hiked

13.6

Wilderness area

San Bernardino National Forest

People I met

Journey/Mini Chimi

Carissa

The day on trail

Probably not many photos for today. I have a lot to do and I’m hoping to get some distance between myself and the big group. I like the people in the group, I just want to break away from them in a big, big way.

I slept great. I don’t know why, because I usually sleep terribly when sharing rooms. Something about that group is chill, and I think the little draw curtains on the bunks really helps feel more isolating.

One of the coolest things the hostel does is a free pancake breakfast. They mix up huge things of pancake batter and have chocolate chips, bananas, coconut flakes, peanut butter, butter, and syrup. They also provide toast and jam and a few other things. So you can just kind of make whatever pancakes you like!

I ate a good amount of them.

After morning stuff, packing, and whatnot, it was time to check out. I wanted another night there so I could turn it into a proper zero day, but they were booked up for the weekend.

I ran to Big 5 for some camp fuel and, indeed, the public transport was free. Then, as I was waiting for the bud to get to Von’s, Carrot rode up in the passenger side of a trail angel, Carissa’s, car. She gave me a ride to Von’s and also picked up El Dorado and Janna on the way. Her family owns the local Ben and Jerry’s franchise and they give an extra scoop to PCT hikers. I wish I’d known!

I get way, way, way too much food at Von’s, but it’s okay. I’ll deal with the shoulder pain for a couple days as I eat through my egregiously gigantic resupply. At Von’s, I also met Mini Chimi, the former suspected trekking pole owner! After checking out, I take the bags, including my backpack, next door, to Maggio’s, a local Italian restaurant. I order the chicken Parmesan, which is baked instead of fried, and a coke. I normally don’t drink soda, but I need all the calories I can get right now.

While I wait for my food and then eventually eat, I FaceTime with Beth again and it’s really great to have more time to catch up.

After lunch, Kevin gave me a ride back to his place so I could unpack all my food from its boxes and repack to fit in my backpack. Which will not fit. I went in with the intention to resupply for nine days and I think I did 12. Ha. But it’s okay.

Kevin makes me the coolest offer, since I’ll be starting at a trailhead most people don’t get rides from. The Onyx Summit is about 10 miles south of the city, while the 18 crosses the trail just north of the city. He lives right by the crossing of the 18. His offer is to meet me at the 18 the next morning with all my food, so I only need to pack one day of dinner.

Hell yes. Slackpack resupply!

He drops me off at the trailhead and I see a new setup for the water cache! From there I blasted through 13 miles over about five and a half hours. It’s nice having a light pack!

I passed the group around seven miles in.

Shortly after passing the group I heard a frenzied braying. A BBRRRRAAAAAHHHHAAAHHHAHHH and saw a derpy equestrian animal galloping in the awkward way only donkeys (or my dog, when he’s excited) can gallop.

I did a little night hiking and confirmed there are wild donkeys!

There was also a controlled burn in the area and it smelled amazing. The fire hoses were still strewn around.

• 

• 

I made it my 13 miles and change to the campsite just next to the 18. And it was time for a little dirtbag trail Shabbat! I snagged a challah and a can of wine from Von’s (again, it’s so nice to be in a town big enough for a kosher section at the grocery store). Challah, wine, bagged salad, and a tuna packet. Damn good dinner. And it’s time for bed.