By: Luke Baum
Above: Me gazing at snowcapped San Gorgonio Mountain from the PCT near Big Bear City, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
This is the account of my last days on the PCT on the Southern California Section!
Week 9 Journal PCT 2023
Day Fifty Seven
Tawna and Lou invited Jet and me inside their nice RV this morning. We chatted over a lovely breakfast they prepared for us: peanut butter toast, orange slices, strawberries, grapes, and hot chocolate! They're so awesome. I even packed some fruit to take out on trail with me.
Above: A view from the top of the Cougar Crest Trail of San Bernardino Mountains beyond Big Bear Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
We climbed back up the mountain and continued along the PCT for a couple miles. When we got to a summit, I enjoyed the view of town beyond Big Bear Lake.
Above: A view from the junction to Bertha Peak of San Bernardino Mountains beyond Big Bear Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
I wanted to turn back, hike around the lake, see a movie, and enjoy town more. I was convincing Jet to come with me, grab lunch and see a $5 movie when a fellow PCTer stumbled upon us. His name was Lobster, and the base weight of his pack without food or water was 6 lbs. Lobster hiked 30 miles a day, and he told us he was a night hiker for the most part. Lobster took a zero on trail every Sunday for religious reasons which I really admired. He overheard our plans and validated our decision to go back into town. We all agreed that we should be out here to have fun and do what we wanted! We would be hiking over 10 miles anyway, so we went back and enjoyed ourselves!
Above: The Village of Big Bear Lake across Big Bear Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
We hiked the Cougar Crest Trail for our 3rd time and continued along a bike trail around the lake leading to the village. The scenery was beautiful and there were locals all around. It was in the high sixties, sunny with blue skies, and the lake reflected that blue sky and sunshine so vividly. The trees were all gently waving in the breeze. The Skyrim music on the speaker set the ambiance.
Above: Juniper Point on Big Bear Lake from Stanfield Cutoff in Big Bear Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
When we reached the bridge to get into the Village of Big Bear Lake, people cheered us on, and some ladies asked to take a picture of us! I loved feeling like a celebrity. Just as we reached the other side of the bridge, a trolly rolled up behind us. We gestured to the driver, and he opened his doors and allowed us on board. He asked our destination. We told him we wanted to get to the village and he said he was on his way there now! It was epic.
Above: Jet stunned by our praise on Stanfield Cutoff in Big Bear Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
I enjoyed the convenient ride on the free trolly to the village square where the movie theater sat alongside many restaurants. I went inside the theater to get our tickets for the movie while Jet grabbed us a table for lunch beforehand. She chose an American style restaurant called The Bone Yard where I ate an impossible burger with Mac and cheese, root beer, coleslaw, and we shared a lava cake for dessert.
By the time we were done at The Bone Yard, the movie theater opened for its first of two showings of "Guardians of the Galaxy 3". I wasn’t expecting the direction the movie took, but we both enjoyed it, and it gave us something to talk about later.
We approached the gas station to look for a hitch back to trail, and a younger guy asked us if we needed a ride before we could get the words out. (The hiker backpack and the whole getup is a clear giveaway of our status.) His name was Marcus and he said he had hiked some of the PCT, and he had a lot of ski gear in the back of his car on account of his job as a ski instructor.
Above: Camped in a ravine near Baldwin Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
Marcus knew exactly where to go. When we got to the trailhead 11 miles from the junction at Cougar Crest, he showed us a secluded spot to camp with a beautiful view tucked away in a small ravine. We hung out with Marcus for a couple hours. He gave us water and even helped set up our tent. He was so nice.
Now we were 16 miles from our final destination: Rainbow Lane at NOBO mile 250, and I was so overwhelmed with emotions! I was mostly excited to hike tomorrow, and I really wanted to enjoy my last day with Jet on the PCT. Feeling grateful, I tucked in for one last "Night night" directly from the PCT.
Day Fifty Eight
Above: A memorial above Highway 18 near Baldwin Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
The view (above) Jet and I woke up with was beautiful. There's something special about camping near a sprawling precipice. It had supposedly rained the night before, but I slept right through it. It was the best sleep I had on trail!
Above: Encouraging notes to PCT hikers near Highway 18 access to Big Bear, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
I was feeling keen on finishing these last 16 miles strong before we went back home to Michigan. I welcomed bright azure skies and beautiful mountains at every turn. I enjoyed a desert view of Lucerne Valley to the north and the snowy capped San Gorgonio in the south while caught in the middle of desert flowers, trees, and streams. Jet and I hiked together through a mix of exposed and shaded sections of the trail. In the shade, it was very cool, so we kept moving for warmth.
Above: Reentering San Bernardino National Forest, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
Proud of myself for how comfortably I hiked this trail, I wanted to complete all 16 miles that day - leaving none for the following morning! Luckily, we have full bars of phone service, so I reached out to our trail angel Lou at Serrano Campground and asked him if he'd be available to pick us up later. And he was!
Above: Southern tip of Lucerne Valley from the PCT near Baldwin Lake, California. 2023 Luke Baum
After 10 miles, we stopped for lunch at a lovely camp called Arrastre Trail Camp. It consisted of a group of shaded picnic tables, spots for tents, and a freshwater creek flowing <.1 mile downhill. We enjoyed camp here for hours and greeted the late-start NOBOs as they passed through or stopped for a break.
Necktie from the UK was one fellow hiker that stood out. He was finishing So-Cal after hiking everything but this section of the PCT on his 2016 thru-hike. I was inspired to see a hiker who came back to complete the journey he started. Hopefully I will follow suit in the future.
Above: Gazing at snowcapped San Gorgonio Mountain from the PCT near Big Bear City, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
By the time we were ready to set back out, I enjoyed three meals at our day camp and felt energized! With four and a half hours to hike 6 miles, I set out focused on taking it easy and enjoying the last few miles I had left of So-Cal on the PCT. It truly was an amazing, relaxed hike accompanied by continuously beautiful views (pictured above, my last vista on the PCT '23).
Above: CA38 Junction with Rainbow Lane. Waiting for a lift back to Big Bear Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
When we reached this familiar crossroad along the PCT, I knew it marked the end of the hike. This time, I approached from the north instead of from the south. After 37 days and over 300 miles, I once again crossed under the gate to Rainbow Lane at NOBO mile 250, officially departed from the PCT... for now. At the time, there were definite feelings of bitter-sweetness, but I was mostly proud of myself and excited for my upcoming adventures ahead in New Zealand!
Above: Me and Hayley celebrating at Serrano Campground in Big Bear Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
Lou picked us up at the interstate, and we got back to the campground just in time for a fire to commemorate the finale of our So-Cal section hike of the PCT - 566 miles! We set up camp, roasted marshmallows for dinner, and enjoyed a relaxing night at Serrano Campground with amazingly kind people.
Day Fifty Nine
Jet and I were treated with fruit for breakfast again, courtesy of Tawna and Lou. I made sure to thoroughly shake out all leaves, dirt, sand, and bugs from my gear before I methodically packed up one last time.
We relaxed at Tawna and Lou's Campsite until Hayley's Tio Johnny came to pick us up. It was so heartwarming to see Johnny again, but it meant going back to society. Even though I missed my family and friends, I knew I’d miss the vagabond lifestyle too.
Above: Coyote crossing our path at Serrano Campground in Big Bear Lake, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
I slept most of the ride through the mountains to Johnny's. At his place, he was caring for an affectionate cat which made the transition from trail homey. I unpacked, we went to the store, and then we watched a movie together. When Julie arrived home, we ventured to the food trucks down the street and ate tacos. It was a yummy dinner.
Above: Tio Johnny's Tiki Bar in Los Angeles, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
Back home, Hayley and I exchanged stories with Johnny among his globally curated at-home tiki bar. It was so cool and reflected Johnny's personality perfectly. He had a story for every piece. I hope to make it back in the future.
Above: Featured tiki at Johnny's Tiki Bar in Los Angeles, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
With my flight the next morning, my imminent departure was sinking in, and "omg" I was feeling a bit anxious. Overall however, I felt excited to surprise my dad, as he had no idea of my plans to come home, and thrilled that it so happened to be on my mom's birthday!
Night night <3
Afterward
Above: My last vista along the PCT near Big Bear City, California. 2023 by Luke Baum
It's been over a year since I left the PCT. Through Life Packs, I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the amazing journey I went on with my best friend. Thank you Hayley - AKA Jet - for playing a huge role in my personal growth and also being the best adventure buddy! Who knows what we'll ever get into?
I'm also grateful to reflect on all the people who helped us on the PCT. Those trail angels made such a difference in our oftentimes-harsh lifestyle. They were all so full of love! Looking back at the acts of generosity and care these people showed me makes me hopeful for the character of humanity. People are out there who help other people!
The cliche goes: we're all walking on a trail called life, and we all complete the journey in different ways. Hopefully I'll make it back to the PCT to complete the other sections of that National Scenic Trail, but for now, my horizons lie elsewhere.
Thank you for following along on my PCT 2023 Journals chronicling my adventure up and down Southern California!
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