9th May
while going through my blog correcting days i found the missing day so here it is
I slept well and feel much happier now that I have my antibiotics and bigger boots
I got dressed and join the other hikers for breakfast . I love this coffee , There are five of us around the table which is full of spare stuff that nobody wants so a grab a few things to add to food
We decide to take a few group photos before we departed which was good .One by one the hikers seem to disappear . I said my goodbyes as I was still enjoying the coffee and putting off the walk
Darwin was staying as he was waiting for a new pair of shoes but now I needed to walk so I packed up my gear said my thanks for Jeff’s hospitality left him a donation and made my way down the road to the main road. Crossed over and put my thumb out
A car stopped and offered me a ride there was another hiker already inside so I chatted to her as we drove to the trail head
I got out and got my pack from out of the trunk then the driver asked for money , Really!!
I said I had given all my money to the trail angel then turned and headed for the trail as I walked up the trail I saw Kyle who was resting.
WE set off together but Kyle was a fast hiker and he was soon out of sight.
It was a beautiful day as I made my way down the trail soon I came to a huge tree but the middle section had been cut so I could walk through easily. I then was in another Park Called Grassy hollow Visitor Center to my left where several of the Classic yellow school buses I then came to a sign its shows the mileage whoop Canada 2277 miles so not too far to go then !!
I made my way along the trail then I came to a group of school children and their teachers with some rangers. They all looked so smart in there matching uniforms and caps. They stopped me to ask me questions. Where was I from ?, My trail name , when did I start, They were all extremely polite then all moved to the back of the trail to allow me to pass . I carried on up the trail until I came to another group and had to answer the same questions they too then stepped back off of the trail to let me pass. I carried on up the trail until I came to a third group this group had managed to capture Kyle , but I had to answer the same questions again,
we then set off together the large mountain of Baden Powell looming ever closer. MM we have to climb that OMG
At last we crossed the main road and approached the bottom of the mountain.
This is Mount Baden Powell named after the founder of the scouting group
Mount Baden-Powell is a peak in the San Gabriel Mountains of California named for the founder of the World Scouting Movement, Lord Baden-Powell. It was officially recognized by the USGS at a dedication ceremony in 1931.
Elevation: 2,867 m
First ascent: 1933
Prominence: 853 m
WE both start together but with the steep ascent through a ton of switchbacks, Kyle is soon out of sight. I continue to chug up and up well its only 4 miles up lol only 4 miles
around the end of the first mile there is a bench with a lookout which was awesome. I dropped my pack and sat down on the bench to get my breath back. . It was at this point that I decided I was just going to take my time and hopefully eventually I would find myself at the peak. Up and up I went switch back after switch back but after several hours I decided it must be lunch and so stopped will it will make my pack lighter as I’ve only just left Wrightwood so I am fully laden arrrhhh
After a quick lunch it time to climb ,I need to do this ,the higher I went snow began to appear this mountain is higher or rather steep at last I was nearing the top thank god. This climb feels like you’ve hiked 20 miles by the end But OMG the Views are amazing so I sit and take it all it it’s just wow. But I need to move on as I’m trying to get to a camp called “Little jimmy’s Campsite”
Hopefully the next bit I should be heading down but after another hour I stop for a break , I sit just staring at what I see before me. AS I’m chilling another Hiker called Sarah comes past we chat for a while before she leaves. Come on snail lets go I hike on gaining a bit of speed as the trail heads down. Then another hiker called “Root beer float” passes me and blink and has gone. I eventually catch up with Sarah who is struggling to get over a large fallen tree.
I pass her and stomp off into the distance Great a sign to “little Jimmy’s” not far I push on and soon I meet up with Kyle who is getting water. I fill up too then we walk to the campsite.
This a fairly large government one so there are about a dozen tents dotted around , Picnic tables fire rings and a drop toilet . I choose a spot and soon my tent is up. And I’m cooking dinner. Kyle puts his tent up by mine and also begins cooking.
Behind us are other hikers that Kyle knows so he joins them, I just so exhausted that I’m soon in bed Zzzzz