09     Wrightwood - Agua Dulce    90.5 miles

Wrightwood

Little Jimmy Spring                      20.5 m

Sulphur Spring                            23.0 m

Messenger Flat                          24.0 m

KOA Akton                                 13.0 m

Agua Dulce                                10.0 m

Well fad, cleaned und showered I started early in the morning. A hitch bake to the PCT was found soon. The PCT for the next few days was made and is maintained by the boy scouts. Subsequently the highest mountain was named after the founder of the Boy Scout movement Mount Baden-Powell. Endless switchbacks took me higher and higher. It became obvious this part of PCT was there before the PCT was set up. It was not made for stock and subsequent steeper. The wind became stronger the higher up I made it. I spared the side trip to the top as it was too stormy. Nevertheless I had a great view. Then the PCT entered the Station Fire area. This meant that the forest was burned down for a few days hiking. Major parts are still closed for the public. The PCT itself and two camp grounds are open. And now due to the fire it became rather nasty. The lavender colored Poodle Dog Bush (Turricula parryi) grows here due to the wild fire. Partly the trail was closed and nearby gravel roads had to be used. And hiking PCT made one constantly on the lookout for this pest. Touching it results in skin irritation and blisters similar to poison oak. And once you get it, it can last for a while. After about ten years the bush disappears waiting for the next fire.

Now I had to walk through leaking clouds; not really rain but wet. And the night was really cold. My sleeping bag was covered in ice. However the weather returned soon to nice and warm again. The KOA at Akton has a separate area for PCT hikers. And I could order by phone a pizza to be delivered right to my camp site. Directly at the nearby railroad is a monument for the completion of the PCT. Here the trail was completed in 1993. Shortly before arriving at Agua Dulce the PCT crosses through Vasquez Rocks County Park. This rock formation made film history. Flint Firestone was filmed. Also Starwars IV with the robots R2D2 and 3C-PO With Luke Skywalker as well as Tusken Raiders on planet Tatooine was filmed here. Passing through the village we soon arrived at Hiker Heaven; the hostel from the Saufley's.

Ascent of Mount Baden Powell

Gabriel Mountains, wildfire burned these trees too

Station Fire memorial site

Ice covered sleeping bag following a cold night at Messenger Flat CG

Memorial plaque of completed PCT dated June 5. 1993

Vasquez Rocks County Park

Sweetwater Cafe in Agua Dulce welcomes PCT hikers

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