Blog Posts - Brimmell Hiking

Week 5 On The Trail

5/18/2022

Hi, week 5 saw me share a hitch-hike with a very, very, large dog, cross over the San Andreas fault, and climb 9,400 snowy feet to the top of Mount Baden Powell. But, the highlight of the week for my American hiking buddies occurred in the area of Cajon Pass, where the trail winds its way less than half a mile from a MacDonald’s restaurant. Cajon Pass is also the meeting place for several different highways and railways, making it a very important travel hub.

Buddy

My car share with Buddy.

My large canine companion, Buddy, is owned by Frank, who very kindly gave me, and to other hikers, a lift from the PCT trailhead into the town of Wrightwood, which sits at the eastern end of the San Andreas fault. From there, I submitted Mount Baden Powell, my highest mountain so far, at 9,406 feet. The climb was steep, arduous and potentially perilous near the top, where I had to struggle through extensive snow fields. It was just like proper mountaineering, which I was not expecting! At the top we had lunch, watching a glider make repeated passes over the mountain top.

Next week will see and increase in temperature, as I return to the desert floor for the dreaded crossing of the Mojave desert.

On top of Mount Baden Powell - exhausted but exhilarated.

Coming down the mountainside into Wrightwood which, in winter, is a popular ski resort.

A healthy evening meal for a hungry hiker. You'll see in the picture that I was even able to buy peanut butter and jam sandwiches. - Yummy!

Looking back at the San Gabriel mountains, which I had passed through on the previous day's hike.

Brimmell Clips for your viewing pleasure.

Cajon Pass Junction early in the morning.

Climbing the San Gabriel Mountains

Almost 9,000 feet up Mount Baden Powell.

... And more snow.

Nearly at the top of Baden Powell.

A little lunch at the top of Mount Baden Powell.

WEEK 4 on the trail

5/3/2022

Hi, this week has seen coolish days, around 12-15 degrees, with nights around freezing. I've had my first encounter with a rattlesnake, a particularly large and feisty one that reared up like a cobra at me. Three coyotes visited our camp in the middle or the night, barking and howling to make sure we knew they were there!

A day off in Big Bear Lake was a good opportunity to recharge the batteries.

Pics from the Trail

Week 3 On the Trail

5/2/2022

Week three has been tough - really tough!

I've had freezing nights, winds that have almost succeeded in blowing me off my feet, and did succeed in blowing my glasses off my face and over the side of a mountain. An unexpected snow storm required me to dig myself out of my tent!

Water Water Everywhere

The water situation can be a bit grim at times. Here are some appetizing sources of liquid nourishment. The blue bucket makes it a bit easier to collect water from a natural spring dripping down.

Only 2, 444.9 miles to go!

Unexpected Snow!

Palm Springs

Looking at Palm Springs. Beautiful sunrise colors from 8,000 feet up over Palms Springs.
'xcuse me while I kiss the sky!

Some burn areas and blow-downs on the trail.

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Week 2 On the Trail

4/20/2022

Getting ready to fill my face with a breakfast burrito - Think cheese and bacon omlet, on top of a plate of hash browns, toasted in a tortilla. There is enough for two but I ate the lot.

After the heatwave and 30 degree temperatures of Week One, Week Two started with an enforced day off, to avoid storm force winds racing across the path of the trail. When I returned to the trail I was greeted with cloud, and 4 degrees, with wind-chill feeling like -4!

It's more like seasonal average now - sunny, 16 - 20 degrees by day, getting close to freezing overnight.

The hiking continues to be up and down, around 3 or 4 thousand feet, although yesterday the trail was gently ascending, and I spent the night at 5,000 feet. During the next week I will continue to climb the San Jacinto mountain range, and will be hiking through snow for the first time as I summit Mt San Jacinto, at 10,800 feet.

One highlight of the week was sampling the delights of an American breakfast menu. Well, if there's a cafe only one mile off the trail, you really do need to make that detour!

Trail Angel Mary. She has set up a little hiker oasis, with drinking water, a shaded seating area, and her own library! An amazing lady.

This is a Map of the Pacific Crest Trail in the Julian Post Office. It shows how far I have not yet gone!

Cold Start, Eagle Rock, what follows are several pics from the trial including a very cool Horned Toad!

Week one on the trail

4/12/2022

Here are some sights and highlights from Brian's first week on the trail.

Surprise to Campo, California

4/3/2022

Campo is a little town near the southern border of the USA. It is very close to the beginning of the Pacific Crest Trail. They call it the Southern Terminus. It all sound so final.

We set off from Surprise at about 10am (a civilized time for sure) for the next leg.

It took us about five or six hours to make it down to the beginning of the PCT but that accounted for a rather large lunch at the Black Bear Diner. That's quite a burger! But nothing can overwhelm Brian's belly.

At long last we made it to be border between Mexico and the United States and Brian was able to sign in!

Brian set up camp for the night ready to set off in the morning.

starting out

4/2/2022

All of the prep is done. My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.

I'll be setting off tomorrow.

I'll post a photo from the starting line.

... And we're off

3/30/2022

Everything has to start somewhere.

Planes, trains, and automobiles brought our friend Brian on the long trip from Doncaster to Surprise (no really, Surprise is the name of the town in Arizona - just northwest of Phoenix) . He arrived in good spirits and took a bit of a break with us before heading off to the Mexican border.

A good time was had by all gathering food, equipment and fortifications for the next leg.