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Pacific Crest Trail Day 23 – The Race to Big Bear

Last updated Apr 13, 2021 | Published on May 15, 2017

PCT Day 23 – Saturday May 6
Mile 235.5 to Mile 250.2

PCT Miles Hiked Today: 14.7
Feet Ascended Today: 3781
Feet Descended Today: 1701
Current Elevation: 6757
Steps: 47358

I was on the trail by 6:30 am this morning and I was one of the last hikers to leave tent city. Hikers are early risers. And there was a sense of urgency to get into Big Bear due to the storm coming in.

The first part of the day, the trail rose in elevation as it wound through the Lake Fire Closure area. Trees were twisted and blackened by the fire and dotted the charred landscape.

Trees Burned in the Lake Fire Closure

I could see the clouds rolling in from the approaching storm, and tried to hike faster.

Around lunchtime, I reached a picnic area in the San Bernadino National Forest called Coon Creek Cabin. I ate in the cabin with some other hikers. The walls were covered in graffiti and it was a little creepy in there, but it felt good to get out of the sun.

Red Beard Takes a Break in Coon Creek Cabin

Clouds Start Rolling In

I had originally planned to hike to Onyx Summit and hitch to Big Bear from there, but but I could see the storm rolling in and decided to exit the trail at mile 250.2. I’ve now hiked 250 miles! Woo!

250 Miles! Woo!

Red Beard and I walked the quarter mile to the freeway and we immediately got ride before we even really got a chance to get our thumbs out. We had good hitching karma today!

We went to the hostel in Big Bear Lake, but the proprietor Sarge informed us they were full. Lots of hikers were coming into town due to the storm. He directed us to a Trail Angel’s house called the Nobody’s. Don and Rachel from the Nobody’s were very kind to us and welcomed us into their home. There were four hikers there : Red Beard, Dash, Katie (her trail name is now “Badass”) and me. Don gave us beers and fed us enormous steaks. We could feel the temperature dropping outside and Don lit a fire in the fireplace. It was very cozy. The four of us piled into a room in the attic and slept soundly, happy to be out of the snow that was already falling outside.

Katie (Badass) and Dash Eat Steaks by the Fire

The Adorable Dogs of the Nobody’s

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Hi, I'm Unicorn!

I am an avid hiker, traveler, and adventurer who is on the mission to explore hiking trails around the world.  I’m also obsessed with National Parks, long-distance trails and other outdoorsy things.

I hope to share this knowledge with you and inspire you to explore new hiking trails too!

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