Day 13 - Tuesday, June 5

Here I am checking my maps in the morning for my trip to Big Bear City. I only have about 10 miles to go so I should get there by Noon. It should be an easier hike since I stay between 8000' and 6700'. I found a couple of water caches stocked by Nature's Inn people so I have plenty of water. I'm feeling good today after getting dehydrated the last two days.

Talked to Carl from Tahoe. He is getting his gear and supplies together to meet me at Agua Dulce in a few days. He is here on a work visa and has to leave the US to go back to England on August 24. He's wondering if he can make Canada by then and just goes into Canada, does that count as leaving the US and then he can come back? I met Grizzly Adams on the trail (JK). This old guy looked just like him. He was hiking with a couple of huskies. He found a nickel and I found a quarter on the trail. I believe that finding money on the trail means that my Mom is watching over me. I also saw two bears - but they were in a cage in this backyard I passed.

As I got close to the place I would leave the trail I caught up to Lon Cooper. He had stayed two days at the hotel in Big Bear City and was heading out. As we talked, he noticed he had lost his sun screen. I told I would pick up some and would likely catch him in the day or two and would give it to him. We decided that when I catch him we will hike together to Cajon / Hwy 15 if he can do 25 miles a day.

I caught a ride into Big Bear City from the owner of Nature's Inn, a really nice guy. He said he would drive me back to the trail head tomorrow morning. That will save me the 3 mile walk from and to the trail head. I got a room at the Mission Creek Hostel. They had a single room for $40 but I decided to go into the shared room with this guy hiker for $20. It was nice to get all the dirt off my body (you should have seen the tub!) and wash my salty clothes! I have lost 8 lbs since starting. I left the trail at Mile 274.