We’re officially past the 10% mark!! Hiking quickly over Mt. San Jacinto from Idyllwild, we out ran a storm on Fuller Ridge where it briefly snowed (!) on us. Hikers behind us were caught in the storm and told stories of extreme wind and ice.

It took us five days to get to the ski town of Big Bear Lake from Idyllwild. At mile 252, we caught a hitch into Big Bear from Jan and Roger, an amazing couple who had three Great Danes with them (Hi Ginger!). Though we’ve hitch hiked several times already (sorry, Mom – it’s pretty much a mandatory aspect of thru hiking), Jan and Roger provided the best ride by far! They generously drove PAST their own home to shuttle us into Big Bear City, waited patiently while we collected our resupply box from the post office, and then gave us a tour of Big Bear Lake before dropping us off at our hostel! Despite hitch hiking’s bad rep, the folks who have picked us up have been the kindest, most generous people ever, and we are SO grateful for their support. THANK YOU, Jan and Roger!!!

We stayed in a hostel on Thursday night, and the next day, Papa Smurf and Mountain Mama (local trail angels) gave us a lift back to mile 252. We “slack-packed” 23 miles to mile 275, where we caught a ride back to the hostel. Slack-packing is when hikers carry day packs (only what they need for the day – usually just food and water), so instead of a 30 lb. pack you carry a 5 lb. pack. It’s amazing. You feel like you can run the trail.

Today we head out toward the town of Wrightwood!!

Hiking through a rare patch of snow on the trail in the San Jacinto Wilderness

Uh oh.

Hiking on Fuller Ridge

Celebrating 200 miles!!!

Trail magic was waiting for us under Interstate 10.

Keepin’ it classy under the interstate

We arrived at Trail Angels Ziggy and the Bear, and they immediately sat us down for an epsom salt foot bath. Amazing!

We spent the night and much of the next day relaxing in Ziggy and the Bear’s backyard with a couple dozen hikers.

Mesa Wind Farm

Ashe, with Shedder and Roo, hiking out from Ziggy and the Bear’s

Family dinner at Whitewater Preserve, an old trout farm where we camped for the night. Clockwise from left: Frosty, Fun Size, Prophet, Shedder, Roo, Cuddles, Jess, and Robin Hood.

Early morning desert views

Morning break at one of the biggest creeks we’ve seen in awhile!

Another day, another national forest

Don’t step on the plants!