Day 17

PCT mile 266.1 to mile 286.0 (Holcom Creek)

PCT miles today - 20 miles

Michele (wonderful trail angel) picked us up at the hotel and took us back up to the trailhead at about 8:00AM.

Gorgeous morning views of Big Bear Bear Lake and snow capped mountain beyond. Big Bear Lake was much larger than we had realized when spending the night in one isolated corner. Walked past huge juniper with wavy bark that resembled orangutan fur, or Alec’s hair, or Willow after her bath (our dog). Chris petted/patted most of these trees we saw along the trail. We then entered the burned out areas, which continued for miles - and through most of the next few days. Sad. The destruction in some canyons was massive. Nothing growing now but scrub bushes. It must have been a green shady walk amount towering trees at some point in the past but not anymore, and probably for several generations to come.

Met ‘Bubbles’ (named because of her effervescent personality - she is indeed bubbly) and Tyranosaurus. Saw Astro again - nice young man. A group of about 15 young hikers ( including several we know) camped at the campground we were headed for so we pushed on a bit further to find a flat space big enough to accommodate our four person circus tent. Chris still loves it!

We found a nice big open space with easy access to cold spring water not too far past the others. We were entertained by a few blue birds (not blue jays) flying and chattering around the campsite. So pretty! Wish we had those birds in Nevada City. We’ve tried to attract them, but no luck.

No snakes today. However Rick made a change to his hiking attire in Big Bear and Chris thinks he looks a bit like the police sketch artist’s drawing of the Unabomber - Ted Kaczynski. Between watching for snakes and poison oak ahead and the unabomber on her tail, Chris was on high alert today.