Mile 231.5 to 248.24

We broke camp from our river campsite at 4,800 feet and started walking up the valley. The next two days, we will be climbing up to the mountain town of Big Bear Lake.

This morning was the coldest yet and the wind was blowing as we made our way through several stream crossings. At one point or another, we all managed to dip a part of our foot into the water…making us even colder. I don’t know if I am losing body fat or what, but I seem to get the chills easier out here. Maybe it is the giant swings in temperature.

As we climbed, we entered a burn area that was sad to see but also starkly beautiful. As I passed one of the backend trees, I touched it’s bark and some of it crumbled away and my fingers came away blackend. All was not dead for when I looked beyond the tree, I saw another with mushrooms coming out of the blackend trunk.

We were all dragging a little bit on the steep uphill. We were gaining elevation quick and were already above 7,000 feet. We started to see small patches of snow in the shade and when entered a smaller gorge, there was snow blanketing the ground. It felt like it was Christmas with the few unscathed pines trees reaching towards the blue sky.

We pulled over at a spot for water and there were picnic tables so we decided to stop for lunch even though it was only 10:00 and we had only down 8 miles. The topic of discussion was when we should arrive at Big Bear Lake. We decided to do two 16 mile days so we could arrive there early on Wednesday, instead of doing longer days and getting in late on Tuesday. We plan to do our chores, eat, and then hike out a few miles so we don’t need to get a room.

The later half of the day saw us climb up to 8,600 feet, but the incline was easier and the views were nice. From my poop spot, I could see snow capped San Jacinto, which I summited just three days before, in the distance and San Gorgonio.

We rolled into camp around 4:30, relaxed in the sun and ate, and then set up our tents. It isn’t even dark, but we are all ready for sleep and another day of walking tomorrow.

Wildlife: squirrel like rodent, humming bird, raven, other birds.