Day 27 Big Bear Angel

Miles hiked: 13.47

Camped at: cabin in Big bear

Hikers I camped with: 2

Total up/down: 1,705' / - 2,867'

Steps: 41,989

I woke up to the sounds of birds singing, no campers rustling around in their tents, just the sounds of nature and it was awesome. I was surprised that no other hikers had joined our camp after dark, that is usually the case. Today it was just the 2 of us and I could tell we were on similar schedules. I wanted to be out of there by 7am, but found myself not wanting to get out of my sleeping bag. I had no motivation to hike today. I just wanted to sleep in my tent. I felt as though I was bored with the routine of trail mornings, I was in a funk but I needed to get out of it. It is Mothers day and I would like to talk to my Mom and my girls, even if it's only by text. Yesterday I hiked all day with my phone on, not in airplane mode like usual. I was hoping that at some point I would get a signal and my phone would start buzzing. No luck. I will try again today.

I get up and start doing all the morning chores. I walk back and forth from the river with one liter of water at a time to filter. I believe there was 16 miles or so to hike till the next water source, a camp area with a faucet that isn't working, but a spring down the trail 100 yards. I load up my usual 4 liters and head up trail. 

Ok, rest did me no good. I am still struggling to hike uphill. I walk a little and stop to catch my breath. My legs are already aching but I remind myself that this happens every morning. It usually takes an hour or so for my legs to loosen up. It is all uphill to the next spring and campground, the spot I wanted to get to last night. When it comes into view I see a familiar friend and am surprised she stopped here. There are about 7 other hikers packing up and heading out. The camp smells of burning pine cones. There is a fire ring there and I guess I missed out on the fire the night before. I hear though that it was cold up here and things froze. 

I hike off knowing I have to keep moving, I know I will be slow today but want to make it to the next campground. I try to figure a way to get into Big Bear in the morning, but unless I hike 20 miles today, it just isn't reasonable with how I'm feeling. I still am sick to my stomach, winded and have muscle fatigue. 

At one point during the day I notice I have a slight signal and I send a text out to my mom, it sends. I send texts off to my girls and post on Facebook that all is well. I still can't make a phone call but at least everyone knows I'm thinking of them and that I'm well. For the most part. 

About 4 miles from the campground I look up to see Andrea standing near the trail. I was surprised to see her, I know she was way ahead of me today. She is standing by a sign and a water cache from papa smurf and mountain momma, trail angels in the big bear area. We are only at mile 252, onyx summit but there is a trail to the road, and they will pick you up here. It's tempting. We consider our options, if we go off now we will have to pay for tonight, an unexpected cost. If my package isn't at the hostel I will have to stay longer. How will it feel after town to have to come back 14 miles behind where others will be getting back on trail. I decided to message a friend I have in Big Bear and ask if she has a yard we can sleep in and if she can pick us up. She says yes and offers us a great deal on a cabin she has, the deal is too good to pass up. There are 2 other guys with us and I ask if they want to come off trail with us, 1 says yes, 1 wants to hike on. 

My friend Teresa pulls up and we are all giddy with excitement. In passing she mentions the cabin has a hot tub, what? We all literally are jumping with excitement. The fact that we have to come back to this point no longer matters. We are leaving the trail a day early and I'm ok with that. 

We settle into our new little home for the next 2 days and soon head out for food. We come back to the house with a tone of fast food and sit and eat and talk about what a great day it turned out to be. 

Teresa and Chuck thank you. I have said that to you many times since today, but I can never say it enough. I'm glad I live close by, it will be nice to visit you guys again. We will miss you for sure!