Semi-live PCT thru hike

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by Sticks&Strings

Wow! This is awesome again! I followed your last one too!

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Thank you. It is good to know folks are following along. As a reminder, there will be parts where I go dark for several days. Just so happens reception has been good last two days.

[Casey]

Thanks for the updates and stay safe. Man your hikes amplify the wanderlust.

[Hoggslayer]

Thanks for sharing. Following along in your adventure.

I hate to hike to the mailbox. I can't imaging doing that many miles.

[Gclyde28]

Following along. This is awesome!

[Blane]

Enjoyed the last trip and look forward to the story ahead.

[topher]

Good luck, happy trails

[Mtltx]

I love all the traditions and the fact the hotel gives hikers a discount. Hopefully the wind will lay down for y’all. Good luck on the trail tmrw!

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by Mtltx

I love all the traditions and the fact the hotel gives hikers a discount. Hopefully the wind will lay down for y’all. Good luck on the trail tmrw!

the kindness and hospitality blows me away. We climbed about 4,500 feet yesterday and at the end of the climb there was a trail angels on a forest service road offering Cokes and Coors Light. I had the beer!

Wind layer down, it’s been cool… no complaints.

[Anvilheadtexas]

Quick update from Wrightwood, CA. The last 2 days we did about 25 miles from I-15 to Wrightwood. Elevation went from 3,000 feet to 8,500 feet. The scenic difference between Cajon Pass and Wrightwood is hard to believe…. Take a look. First pic is I-15 (we had ro cross it walking back to the trail from the Cajon Oass Comfort Inn and the second is actually the PCT …. A tunnel under I-15. The tunnel was sketchy. The the 2 pictures are from earlier today at 8,000 feet above Wrightwood.

[Anvilheadtexas]

Forgot to post this one from Cajon Pass, CA…. This one should be interest to all…

[Anvilheadtexas]

Quick update. We are in Acton, CA … we completed the Wrightwood to Acton slog and crossed over the 400 mile marker in the process. The slog included high desert (snow) and low desert (extreme heat). This hike is not for Wimps. Todays hike into the Acton KOA (whete we and about 40 other hikers are staying) was rough.

Right out of Wrightwood we climbed Baden-Powell mountain thst took us to 9,200 feet. Uo too snow covered the trail. The climb was tough, but not as tough as the heat in the low desert today.

The other day we had a short road walk (trail is closed in an area due to endangered frogs?). A trail angels stopped and gave us donuts and a Bud Light. When a stranger hands you a cold beer known hot day….

Actin KOA is cool. Very hiker friendly. All our hiker friends are here. Was a great time tonight hanging out. Nothing crazy… beer, pizza and what not. People seemed to be a bit tired from the slog. The nice thing was the pool, it felt icy cold. Fellas, the desert is no joke HOT!

[Anvilheadtexas]

500 miles! We crossed the 500 mile mark yesterday!!

.

[BTLowry]

Congrats on what you have done so far and safe travels ahead

[Gumbo Man]

Wow. 500 miles. That’s awesome. Congrats.

[Mtltx]

Awesome!!

[Anvilheadtexas]

Thank you. Now all we need to do is get through about 175 miles of stuff like this… and then into the Sierras.

[Paycheck]

What a trip!!! I would love to do a 5-mile hike in 5 days.

[JES]

Awesome trip so far, congrats on knocking out the first 500!

[Texas Grown]

Amazing!

[Olympic Recurve]

Awesome.. congrats and good luck with the rest the journey

[Anvilheadtexas]

We came off of the trail yesterday at a road crossing that lead to Tenachapi, CA. The last 3 days have been as hot as one would expect the Mojave Desert could be. That and windy (hence the windmills). The wind seems to at times push from all directions. The previous night we endured what I called 5 to 10 second hurricanes… every 60 seconds. Was not sure the tent would survive, but it did. Desert hiking is brutal. As we came off the trail, a man was sitting in the parking lot and offered us a Coke or Gatorade. I can not tell you how powerful it is for a stranger to hand you a cold drink upon exiting the desert. I am man enough to say it was emotional.

There is still hope for this world fellas. Once we got into Tenachapi we got caught up with the daily news. Horrible. But as I said, let’s not give up hope, there is a lot of good out there.

[hgiles]

Making great progress. You're not far from me if you stopped in Tehachapi. I'm in Bakersfield. Today's going to be a hot one!

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by hgiles

Making great progress. You're not far from me if you stopped in Tehachapi. I'm in Bakersfield. Today's going to be a hot one!

We are taking a zero here in Tehachapi. Many hikers came in…. Hotel in town is loaded with hikers. We all have that look…the pool will be the place to be. We are contemplating by-passing a mile or two of Mojave when we get back on. We are heating to the town of Mojave now to get a mailbox. I made the mistake and had a box go to Mojave instead of Tehachapi.

[junkmanhunter]

Love following your post

Stay safe and good luck

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[Ouch]

Holy cow! How did I miss this?!?

Will be following, and I'll find you on IG. I was talking to someone the other day about how BA your AT thread was. Hard to believe that was 6 years ago!

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by Ouch

Holy cow! How did I miss this?!?

Will be following, and I'll find you on IG. I was talking to someone the other day about how BA your AT thread was. Hard to believe that was 6 years ago!

Glad you are in! Yup… 6 years. I feel those 6 years every day out here!!! I would say 70% of all hikers out here are under 30! It’s tough to try to keep up with the young ones, but we are making it. No water stretches can be a real pain. Yesterday was a 13.5 mile day and only water was a water cache (well stocked). The trick is camel up at these water sources, then haul out as much as one can carry.

[SmTx]

Awesome deal on the guy providing drinks. Hiking community seems cool.

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by SmTx

Awesome deal on the guy providing drinks. Hiking community seems cool.

It’s pretty amazing. Sone of the trail angels have hiked, but many (so far) have not. The man yesterday said he was a fan of hikers. We also relied on water caches in the last stretch. These are maintained by angels and angels groups. The one in the picture is a barrel cache. There was a dirt road nearby by…. It appears they restock it from there. They must have some decent off road vehicles to get out there.

[Puncher51]

Curious, how do y’all know where the next water will be? I figure word of mouth or some app. It’d be a pain to spend the time to stock up only to find ample water right down the trail.
I love following along! Thanks for the updates!

[bobc]

Still following this. I love this thread! If I remember correctly, your wife did not do the AT with you. How did you talk her into this one?

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by Puncher51

Curious, how do y’all know where the next water will be? I figure word of mouth or some app. It’d be a pain to spend the time to stock up only to find ample water right down the trail.
I love following along! Thanks for the updates!

There is an app. It was Gut Hooks and recently has changed the name to Far Out. There are all of the major trails available. It is gps oriented, so you know exactly where you are. Way-points and comments provide info. Still… word of mouth for the most updated info is used. Sone of these water sources are drying up fast in desert. Rumors ahead of a cache that is empty. This is relevant info. Far Out also shares elevation info and distances to way-points. I did not use this on AT (was still brand new then). Everyone used it now…. It’s a game changer.

[Puncher51]

Great info! Thanks for sharing!

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by bobc

Still following this. I love this thread! If I remember correctly, your wife did not do the AT with you. How did you talk her into this one?

Correct.. I went solo on AT. Doing PCT was her idea! I did not have to sell her. It’s def a different hike managing 2 peoples needs, paces, emotions and tolerances, but so far we are doing good. We are remarkably well aligned on how we are hiking this trail.

[Burnadell]

Cool thread and adventure. Thanks for bringing us along.

[Texar]

Awesome to do this hike through you!! I will definitely be following along as I did for the AT one. I'll be sure to follow on IG as well.

[rtp]

Really enjoying this. Stay safe!


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[Oleman]

Have enjoyed your travels. Seeing pics of things most do not experience. Keep the updates coming as many have said. Stay safe and happy travels.

[bakin7005]

So cool. Can I live vicariously thru you for the next 5 months? Happy trails.

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[Anvilheadtexas]

Thanks for following along! We jumped off trail to take break. We are going to a town called Kernville. We will chill there for Fri snd sat and then get a ride to Walker Pass Sunday to do the last 50 miles to Kennedy Meadows and the beginning of the big pay-off… the Sierras. This side trip will cut a few miles off the desert for us, but we see okay with missing a few Joshua Trees.

Here is a thought that rattles through my head as I hike…. There is the AT and there is the PCT and CDT. Those are the big 3. Below that there are the Colorado Trail, Vermont Long Trail, Florida Trail and Jon Muir Trail. Why is there NOT a Texas Trail??? Crazy conversations are held as one hikes… hikers from all over the country and world all agree…. A Texas Trail would be awesome (based on how the scenery would change and the potential for a good long journey). My fantasy Texas Trail starts in north/east Tx (Caddo Lake) and ends at the top of Quadalupe Peak or Big Bend. This great state needs something like this.

[hgiles]

Enjoy your time in Kernville. It's a neat little town. I go up there fairly often for trout fishing. While your there, go to McNally's and grab a burger! They are great.

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by hgiles

Enjoy your time in Kernville. It's a neat little town. I go up there fairly often for trout fishing. While your there, go to McNally's and grab a burger! They are great.

Will do! Bummed… my fly rod is in route to Kennedy Meadows… so no fly fishing yet. Another hiker told me there is a fly shop, so I will get my license taken care of there. I plan to carry the fly rod the rest of the hike after Kennedy Meadows.

[Mtltx]

Thanks for taking us along on this journey! I really enjoy your post on the trip. Stay safe and enjoy the next couple days relaxing!

I agree on a Texas Trail. I’m assuming there’s more private land that is not accessible to the public.

[Bryan11]

Really awesome trip and even better to do it with your best friend. Stay safe on the trail and enjoy the R&R.

[hgiles]

Originally Posted by Anvilheadtexas

Will do! Bummed… my fly rod is in route to Kennedy Meadows… so no fly fishing yet. Another hiker told me there is a fly shop, so I will get my license taken care of there. I plan to carry the fly rod the rest of the hike after Kennedy Meadows.

Kern River Fly Shop. Very nice place right by the river in town. They will get you all set up. Great call on the rod. There are some really big browns where you'll be hiking through.

[chongo]

Thanks for bringing us along. Just followed you on IG as well.

Originally Posted by Anvilheadtexas

Thanks for following along! We jumped off trail to take break. We are going to a town called Kernville. We will chill there for Fri snd sat and then get a ride to Walker Pass Sunday to do the last 50 miles to Kennedy Meadows and the beginning of the big pay-off… the Sierras. This side trip will cut a few miles off the desert for us, but we see okay with missing a few Joshua Trees.

Here is a thought that rattles through my head as I hike…. There is the AT and there is the PCT and CDT. Those are the big 3. Below that there are the Colorado Trail, Vermont Long Trail, Florida Trail and Jon Muir Trail. Why is there NOT a Texas Trail??? Crazy conversations are held as one hikes… hikers from all over the country and world all agree…. A Texas Trail would be awesome (based on how the scenery would change and the potential for a good long journey). My fantasy Texas Trail starts in north/east Tx (Caddo Lake) and ends at the top of Quadalupe Peak or Big Bend. This great state needs something like this.

I agree. I would love to see something like this in Texas. Probably a 700'ish mile trek. I always thought a Brownsville to Texline trek would be cool, too.

Have fun and safe travels!

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by hgiles

Kern River Fly Shop. Very nice place right by the river in town. They will get you all set up. Great call on the rod. There are some really big browns where you'll be hiking through.

Excited. My set up is light … #2 rod. The entire setup …. Rod, reel and flies weighs in at less than 10 ounces. Some other hikers are packing Tenkara rods. If we get into a big brown… that might be trouble!!

[highspeed]

Coolest thread!!! Looking forward to your updates!!!

[Anvilheadtexas]

Originally Posted by Mtltx

Thanks for taking us along on this journey! I really enjoy your post on the trip. Stay safe and enjoy the next couple days relaxing!

I agree on a Texas Trail. I’m assuming there’s more private land that is not accessible to the public.

The public/private land challenge would be a real challenge, but…. It’s doable. Most of the PCT runs through state and fed lands, but we have hiked through private as well (I am not sure what arrangements are made). I will say this… Texas has kick-as state parks… and if they could be linked, that’s how something like this could be plausible, but certainly, there are many obstacles. Makes good hiking thought.

[A&M 90]

Neat experience. No regret living.

[Mission408]

Keep it coming brotha! Typing a post must be one of the last things you want to do after hiking all day but we sure do appreciate it!

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