cathieandrandy

Our friends Junk Food and Amir caught up to us on our 2nd and last night in Wrightwood. We helped get them a room where we were staying, at the Canyon Creek Inn, and later shared a bottle of wine and cookies from my sister-in-law.  The $8.99 California Cabernet Sauvignon was selected from the local grocery based on its amusing label “Happy Camper.” Our friend Mike back home would probably cringe. It was a little fruity, but not bad.

Wrightwood was a great stop over, but a lot of hikers skip it because they fear it’s too hard to get in and out of town. We got a ride back to the trailhead from Ani at 6 am, in her husband’s very sporty SUV.

Next on the agenda was a climb up Mount Baden Powell, named in honor of the founder of Boy Scouts. We reached the monument at 9998 feet, finding the most interesting trees at the nearly barren, scree covered summit. Limber pines, 1500 to 2000 years old, are the only things living at the top of Mount Baden Powell. Like old men, they are gnarled and bent, shaped by the winds, but still thriving. Nutz took a picture of me next to one.

We finished a 24 mile day with a road-walk detour because a section of  PCT was closed to protect the mountain yellow-legged frog. The detour added extra miles and then dropped us into a campground where the USFS wanted us to pay $12 for a place to pitch our tent. I think not.