Day 16-17: Big Bear Lake |

Day 16: Mile 253 to 266 (13 miles)

Today was the day to finally get into Big Bear Lake. It was a decent hike with not to much elevation change and I arrived to the highway with Seth and Malia at the same time. We were greeted by Legend who hiked the PCT in 2013. He made us some apple Kool-Aid when we arrived. He gave us a marker to sign and write something on the truck he is driving up and down the whole trail helping people out as needed or just making food. I used the blue marker and wrote on the truck before we walked across the highway to try and hitch a ride into town.

Didn’t take long before we were able to hitch a ride with someone who had a truck and trailer. Since his truck was completely full, we still opted to ride in the trailer to get into town. It was a great way to get five people into town together. (Myself, Seth, Malia, Breaks and Wild Bill)

(Riding in a trailer)

We arrived into town and got to the Big Bear Hostel where we would do laundry, resupply and clean up with a nice hot shower! We opted to cowboy camp outside instead of sleeping in beds.

Day 17: Mile 266 to 285 (19 miles)

Last night was great, about a dozen of us drank a couple beers and hung out under the stars getting to know each other. Ego and Scotland arrived in the evening and they have been playing catch up recently. Ego knows what seems like a million different cool ways to open a beer. We went to Teddy Bears for breakfast who gives a major discount to hikers and you receive a huge breakfast! Myself and Seth decided we were going to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a couple days and he was going to pack in the tequlia and I will pack in chips, salsa and all the makings for a great fest!

(About to be kicked out of library since it’s closing, but I have to write about Sarge who runs the Big Bear Hostel.)

We got a ride back to the trail from Pappy and continued our hike in. I got very little reception during the hike, but near the end of the day I receieved great news that the Sultan boys soccer team won their playoff game 2-1 in a shootout vs Lynden Christian.