Hello faithful readers! The internet here is pretty slow, so we haven't been able to upload any pictures. When we do get good internet though, expect a photo summary of the last few hundred miles.
As for now, we are in Agua Dulce, getting ready to leave tomorrow evening. The high temp for tomorrow is supposed to be 94, so we will linger here during the day and starting hiking once it has cooled down a bit. Our plan for the next section is to hike in the morning and evenings, rather than through the whole day.
The last section from Wrightwood (mile 370) to Agua Dulce (mile 454) was beautiful and challenging. We started off with a climb up Mount Baden Powell (~9300 feet in elevation), and then spent the next two days climbing up and down ridges along the Angeles Crest. This was some of the most beautiful scenery we have seen yet on the trail.
After the mountains, we descended back into the lower and toastier elevations. There was a nice "breeze" the whole time though (meaning winds of 20-50 mph) so the heat wasn't too bad. Besides the wind, the biggest challenge in this section was the infamous "poodle dog bush," a plant that can cause severe skin irritation. This plant was growing right along the trail for about twenty miles, but we walked carefully and seem to have escaped unscathed.
The end of the section led us into Agua Dulce, where we have stayed with the Saufleys, some of the trail angels along the PCT. They host hikers at their house, and we have been enjoying shade, watermelon, showers, laundry and endless generosity. Truly wonderful!
We are headed out tomorrow evening, and are looking forward to the next section. It's supposed to be hot and dry, but we are excited for the challenge. Only two hundred and fifty miles to go until the Sierras!
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