DAY 26, May 21:11.2 Miles - SHORT day; Total 465.6

Hiked at a much slower pace today. It was a day of nice, easy climbs. Stopped at a water cache and decided to camp on soft sand near a dry creek bed. There are only about 40 miles left to get to the highway where I'll meet Shirley so I'll really have to pace myself between now and then. Can't say enough about the Saufleys in Agua Dulce. Any PCTers reading this blog, be sure to stop there for some R&R.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 26. May 21: another ZERO.

Resting, eating, soaking up the 'shade'light - that's what I'm doing today. There are so many hikers staying here at Agua Dulce and I don't want to outstay my welcome so I'll probably hit the trail later this evening. Will do some night hiking. I'm feeling much better. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts- they do make a difference.

Gotta share this with you. Yesterday afternoon I woke up from a sound, 2-hour snooze, surrounded by 20 or 30 hikers holding a big birthday cake and singing happy birthday. I was pleasantly surprised and touched by their thoughtfulness. These guys become your family away from home. It was very nice.

Shirley will be joining me on Monday. I'm looking forward to her visit.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 25, Tues.,May 20, my 67th Birthday ZERO day - TOTAL MILES 454

Thanks to all of you who have sent me birthday wishes. This hiker is getting old. It has been great reading all of the posts and listening to my grandchildren and children sing to me on my voicemail.

I arrived at Agua Dulce around 6pm last night. This place is awesome - an oasis in a desert land. The Saufleys graciously take in hikers and provide multiple services - anything a hiker needs. I'll be resting up here for a couple of days, catching up on laundry, email and talking to my baby.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 24,Mon.,May 19. 23.7-mi.day. TOTAL 454.4

This is a day of ups and downs and more ups and downs. The trail dips 1,000 feet down and climbs 1,000 feet up. There is no shade and the temperature is 107 deg. The water I'm carrying is 100 deg. There is no shade. The terrain is like a moonscape - nothing growing. I cross over the Santa Clara River ford - and it's just a dry, dusty dip on the horizon - no water!

You may be asking "is he having fun yet?" Well, the early mornings are very nice. I just never expected this much heat. It will be much better when I start into the Sierras - about 190 miles north. But for now - I'll keep treking this dry, thirsty land!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

P.S.: Thanks to Nimblewill Nomad for donating to the Home of the Innocents. He is a 70 year old thru-hiker being supported by a good friend. Terrific people to know.

DAY 23, Sun., May 18, 23.8miles. TOTAL 430.7

The climb out of Sulphur Springs was steep but it turned out to be a pleasant day. However, I'm getting so tired and not bouncing back after my zero days like I would like. The heat during the day is tortuous. I am drinking lots of water but have no appetite.

When I reached the Spur trail of Pacifico Mountain Road we were overjoyed to see several trail angels. One in particular I want to acknowledge is Meadow Mary. She provided me with gatorade, fresh fruit and emergency vitamins & minerals in powder form. I sweat so much and guess I'm losing more than weight. I've been told I'm losing electrolites and I have lost at least 30 lbs.

I heard there is a 'heat advisory' - I'll vouch for that. I'll be glad when it cools down a little.

Hey, thanks to all of you who are cheering me on! I'll keep you posted!!!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 22, Sat., May 17, 22.9 miles. TOTAL 406.9

I left Little Jimmy Campground to begin a long, dry day. It was a beautiful hike for the most part, with lots of shade at first. We stayed high most all day but didn't have any water except for what I carried. We came to Sulphur Springs Campground but the campground was closed. So we camped outside the perimeter on the sand. I slept out with a full moon over my head. I'm still cowboy camping - I lay my piece of Tyvek on the sandy ground and take everything out of my pack and elevate my feet on my pack. That night there were a number of hikers, Moonpie, BeBop, and others. Some of the others went on and hiked by the light of the moon.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 21, Fri., May 16, 15 mi.day. TOTAL 384

Talked to Shirley this morning. I told her that I would probably be out of cell phone range for a couple of days. We're enjoying talking to each other so this stretch of "no cell" will be more difficult.

This part of the PCT includes the Mt. Baden-Powell Spur Trail - elevation 9,245 ft - named for Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts. The summit marks the end of the Scout-built Silver Moccasin National Recreation Trail. Scouts often hike the Silver trail to earn their hiking merit badge.

Got some great pictures. Will get them posted when Shirley gets here next week. Plan to camp at Little Jimmy Campground tonight.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 20 - ZERO DAY in Wrightwood, Ca

I've had a day relaxing and eating great food. And, boy have I eaten a bunch. A great big THANK YOU to Laurie P. for opening her home to this old greybearded man and fixing a marvelous breakfast this morning. She, along with all the people in Wrightwood, has been so friendly and helpful to all the PCT'ers that have come through yesterday and today. I highly recommend Wrightwood as a place to enjoy a zero mile day.

Shirley and I have made arrangements to meet a week earlier than originally planned. I look forward to seeing her. Tomorrow is another day and I'll be back on the trail in the morning.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

Day 19, Weds.May 14: 15-mi. day. TOTAL 364.5

What a climb - straight up! I called Shirley when I reached the top of a flat ridge at 8200 ft. The view is far and wide but the trees are burnt down, hardly anything left but stumps. I will be hiking down to Wrightwood, a town still high in elevation but with real food. I'll catch up on laundry and take a zero day tomorrow. I need it! Plan to have a large pizza for dinner.

The people of Wrightwood open their doors to thru-hikers. I'll be sleeping between clean sheets tonight.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

Day 18,Tues.May 13, 32.3 mile day. TOTAL 349.0

I felt like a million today and before I knew it I had hiked 30+ miles. Spent the night at high elevation and had to hunt for a flat place at that. I am hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains. I've never seen such beauty - huge Joshua trees, some of them 7ft in diameter. It's hard to believe that I am actually in northern Los Angeles County with so many people. This range of mountains is between that huge metropolis and the Mojave Desert. I'll be climbing up snow peaks tomorrow.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard