The sun wakes me up at 630. I slept super warm! First night I didn’t need my knit hat. Hikers snore on the other side of the fence. I slowly stretch and organize my gear.
Everyone takes their time. The next section of trail is closed for more fire restoration. It’s a big chunk of trail too. With the last detour and this, I’m a week ahead of where I thought I would be!
All the hikers are trying to figure out a way around the closure. Ziggy organizes shuttle rides for a few hikers. Some people are planning to road walk all the way (that’s a 30 mile stretch of freeway walking!). Some people are going to hitchhike. Others have friends and family driving them. I feel lucky, Jonathan’s super awesome parents are driving up to give us a ride.

I make coffee and wash my socks as we wait for them to arrive.

 

The Bear sits in his lawn chair and watches all the hikers go about his yard. Ziggy places a tray of orange juice in little Dixy cups on the table. I’m so impressed by these two. What an amazing couple. I hope I’m as exciting and welcoming when I’m their age. Thankyou so much Ziggy and The Bear for being amazing trail Angels!

Jonathan’s parents arrive. I scramble to grab all my stuff. Hope I got everything! We all squeeze into the car. They brought us muffins! cold grapes! And water! Yum! We snack on all the goodies as we get onto the free way. I wave goodbye to the hikers braving the road walk. Hope they stay safe.

This will be the 3rd car I’ve been in since I’ve started this trip, but it’s been awhile since I’ve traveled this fast.

The country side zips past! It’s a little overwhelming after traveling 2miles an hour for 14 days.

It feels like we’re at Big Bear in a matter of minutes. I always get carsick on the curvy road in. We stop at a Big 5 Sporting Goods and I have to sit in a camping chair to stop my head from spinning.
I recognize a few other thru hikers shopping too! The British couple I met at Mike’s place find me in my chair. It’s nice to see them again!

We finish up and head to Vons for Jeff and Jonathan to resupply. Doug mailed me my resupply at Ziggy and The Bear’s so I focus on getting fresh produce! I get an apple, an orange, string beans, cucumbers, tiny potatoes and two tiny onions.

We find a deserted side of the parking lot and reorganize all our packs. I’m excited to have fresh veggies in my dinner tonight!

Jonathan’s parents drive us to the Onix Summit trail head. Thank you so much for the ride!!! They take a few photos and we wave goodbye.

 It feels so good to be back on the trail.

The sky is cold and grey. The distant hills disappear behind a curtain of rain. The trees look old and mischievous.

 

We find a couch and a giant box filled with trail magic!  

  
So comfy!

It starts to sprinkle. Then snow!

It’s cold.

We hike on for a few miles. I’m fully prepared for it to snow the whole evening when all of a sudden, the sun breaks through the clouds!

The snow turns to rain!

Everything shimmers. Leaves sparkle with thousands of tiny prisms in the light. Steam rises from piles of glistening dead pine needles. Tiny rainbows appear then disappear like fleeting holograms. It’s beautiful.

 
Jeff laments having his camera deep in his pack. Better safe than wet. We pick our way across muddy stream crossings. The trail descends lower and the magic sun rain eventually stops.

We power on to the next campsite. The trees smell like vanilla.

We reach a clearing and take a break. Jeff is always trying to get the perfect sunset photo!

full pack still on and everything! Now that’s dedication.

We find a good spot and set up for the night. I make curried cuscus with my fresh veggies and it is delicious.

Camped at mile 259.35 of the PCT.
Miles hiked today: 7.39