Destination: Highway 18 at Big Bear
Starting Location: Arrastre Trail Camp at Deer Springs
Today’s Miles: 9.70
Trip Miles: 265.60
Trail Camp at Deer Springs (255.9, 7605) to Highway 18 at Big Bear (265.3), 6829) ascent 300, descent 1100
Nero! Broke out cowboy camp quickly and headed for town. We soon ran into Jim Manning, our Big Bear trail angel who walked us out to the highway and a cooler of refreshments. Walking with Jim was great as he has an excellent knowledge of the local natural history. Cadence and Star caught a ride into town with us and then to the grocery store. We then went to Running Springs with Jim and met up with his wife, Jackie. Jackie is Liz’s former Geology Professor from 23 years ago. Jim & Jackie are great. They have hiked extensively and published several hiking books. Jim is going to hike with us for part of the day tomorrow. He is 73 years old, never walked a mile before he was 60, keeps up a four mile per hour pace now and has hiked over 30,000 miles since he retired including the entire PCT.
We had the most pleasant afternoon visiting with Jim & Jackie while we organized our gear, washed clothes and simply relaxed. For dinner we enjoyed home made vegetable soup as our entrée. Incredible and just what our bodies needed.
We are leaving early in the morning and have six days of food with us. The food is heavy but the water situation is a bit more kind for the first few days of this leg, and the climbs and descents are very manageable compared to the huge roller coaster we just walked.
Saw T-minus and she is doing well. She believes she was suffering from the heat and she is back on the trail tomorrow where she got off. I am really happy for her. Oh what terible news. Liz just heard that a hiker I met and someone I coresponded with before the hike died near Deep Creek. I do not have the details or confirmation so I do not want to share any more at this time. But damn that sucks.
Destination: Highway 18 at Big Bear
Starting Location: Arrastre Trail Camp at Deer Springs
Today’s Miles: 9.70
Trip Miles: 265.60
Trail Camp at Deer Springs (255.9, 7605) to Highway 18 at Big Bear (265.3), 6829) ascent 300, descent 1100
Nero! Broke out cowboy camp quickly and headed for town. We soon ran into Jim Manning, our Big Bear trail angel who walked us out to the highway and a cooler of refreshments. Walking with Jim was great as he has an excellent knowledge of the local natural history. Cadence and Star caught a ride into town with us and then to the grocery store. We then went to Running Springs with Jim and met up with his wife, Jackie. Jackie is Liz’s former Geology Professor from 23 years ago. Jim & Jackie are great. They have hiked extensively and published several hiking books. Jim is going to hike with us for part of the day tomorrow. He is 73 years old, never walked a mile before he was 60, keeps up a four mile per hour pace now and has hiked over 30,000 miles since he retired including the entire PCT.
We had the most pleasant afternoon visiting with Jim & Jackie while we organized our gear, washed clothes and simply relaxed. For dinner we enjoyed home made vegetable soup as our entrée. Incredible and just what our bodies needed.
We are leaving early in the morning and have six days of food with us. The food is heavy but the water situation is a bit more kind for the first few days of this leg, and the climbs and descents are very manageable compared to the huge roller coaster we just walked.
Saw T-minus and she is doing well. She believes she was suffering from the heat and she is back on the trail tomorrow where she got off. I am really happy for her. Oh what terible news. Liz just heard that a hiker I met and someone I coresponded with before the hike died near Deep Creek. I do not have the details or confirmation so I do not want to share any more at this time. But damn that sucks.
Robert Francisco 
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