Field Report 4: Hot n Sweaty

We left Cajon Pass shortly after our last update, packs full with 9 days of supplies, and followed the Cajon Pass railroad tracks towards the Angeles National Forest. We were expecting 24 plus miles and 5000’+ elevation gain before our next water and the weather was HOT. Thanks to some unexpected water catches along the way, this journey was a lot less painful than expected. (Thank you Cajon Pass Trail Angels!)

The climbs were challenging and as we approached Mt. Baden-Powell. We reached the base, very sore and tired on Memorial Day and the crowds were thick, winds were strong, and there was a thunder cloud moving in. As much as we didn’t want to miss our first 9000′ summit, we opted for the alternate route. We took a tiny, steep unkempt trail down into a hot valley only to climb up over another pass and repeat the same pattern the following day. Temperatures were climbing into the high nineties, but we were happy to have almost the entire trail to ourselves. We survived our first close encounter with a rattlesnake and a “black bear” and utilized our bug nets to their fullest extent.

We continued through the Angles National Forest (passing milestones 350, 400, and 450 from the border), an area devastated several years ago by a wildfire. Although many burned snags still stood, the area was alive with hundreds of various brush plants and wildflowers. We had to keep our eyes close to the ground as we danced around Poodle-Dog Bush and poison oak creeping onto the trail. (Poodle-Dog Bush is common in parts of Southern California, especially in burn areas, and can cause severe allergic reactions similar, but more severe than Poison Oak.) We walked from Ranger Station to Ranger Station for water as the natural resources in this area were unreliable and the temperature has been rising significantly into the 100s. We have been trying to hike smart: walking only during the cool hours of the day by waking up early and hiking till around 11am, taking a siesta, and then returning to the trail around 4 and hiking until we get tired and hungry.

As we hiked out of the Angles National Forest we reached the Acton KOA and decided to take a day off. Temperatures reached 112 in the Acton Valley and we were very glad to be in the shade, by a pool with showers and great company. This morning we woke up at 4 and hit the road early to make it to “Hiker Heaven” in Auga Dulce. This Trail Angel Stop certainly feels like a heaven; complete with a shuttle to REI and In-and-Out Burger! Looking forward to some “cooler” weather as we hike out tomorrow, fully resupplied, and well fed.