4/28 was the first day of CD’s hike. On 5/8, he decided that his hike would be continuous and at least 2,653 miles. He took a blue blaze route up San Jacinto Peak. The descent was 5000 ft over 16 miles. He grew tired of hiking in the dark and slept in the middle of the trail before returning to the valley floor.
On 5/9, he arrived at the Pink Hotel. Apparently it was a water-less off grid trailer filled with hikers of all types. CD took a nap, played cards, and appreciated the questionable atmosphere and chose to hit the trail with his group by dinner time.
He arrived in Big Bear City a day or so later. Strangers picked him up and shared their style of trail magic, including transportation, dinner, shower, and laundry.
Shortly after, the magic seemed to really take off.
The Saufley’s, Hiker Haven, has become famous but when CD and I met, it was still hidden in the background. It was clearly a highlight for many.
Amenities included laundry and loaner clothes for while you are doing laundry, phones, informational boards, internet, shared supplies, and designated sleeping spots. Sleeping options included couches, beds, air mattresses, and open space. Everything was organized by using sign up sheets.
CD and his group borrowed one of the loaner cars and made a trek to town for margaritas and food. He then scored a couch for sleeping among the 31 hikers that slept there that night. There was campfires, storytelling, laughing, and camaraderie.
From there, lunches had 16 people, wind farms filled the desert, running down hills was the newest sport, and water sources were trickling streams.
May 29th brought magic in the form of a family at campground that was also a water source. Cake, fruit, snacks, beer and wine were abundant and everyone was grateful.
May 30th looked different. It was a hot day and the hike was quite exposed. Several rest breaks under Joshua’s trees were generally insufficient and water was scarce. Shortly after CD and his group decided to use a minimal amount of water from a water cache, they stumbled upon a pop-up oasis of sorts. The “Robin Spring Pass Resort” was a hiker’s resort in development.
A friend of a thru-hiker was inspired to offer his own form of trail magic. He set up camp on a section of trail where it was needed. His “resort” had water, shade, sports drinks, sodas, sandwiches, a generator powered freezer full of popsicles, a DVD player with movies, a picnic table, and a library.
A big climb from there and CD had his first real view of the Sierras.
Rambling Footsteps 