Hikertown

May 19: After Casa de Luna, there was yet another trail closure because of a previous fire. So in order to get to the next major stop, Hikertown, we had 3 choices: 1) a 21.8 mile road walk directly to Hikertown,(for the direct folks);2) skip the road and pick up the PCT where it reopened for a 25 mile trail walk (for the nature lovers); 3) a 15 mile road walk to the PCT and then pick up the trail for 40 miles (for the purists). It should come as no surprise that I chose trail only.

Our little group by this morning had scattered to the wind. Silver had hiked ahead, Secret had camped a few miles back. Velcro chose to sleep in and zero at the Andersons. And Skyline was still nursing severe blisters from his snow-hiking. It was just me, with a couple other hikers from Casa de Luna.

After pancake breakfast, Terrie gave us a ride to the trail. Skyline was getting a ride to Hikertown where a friend was picking him up to get off trail for several days. Had I been thinking clearly, I would have sent most of my stuff ahead to Hikertown and slackpacked the 25 miles. But I wasn't thinking. And I never claimed to be the smartest person in the world. So I hiked with a full pack. (Of course, eating a frozen burrito plus 2 plates of taco salad and then hiking 25 miles the next day wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done, either)

It was a beautiful hike! For the first time in a while, there were trees. The climb up- around 6-7 miles, was shady and nice. Then there was a pretty hot,exposed walk along the top of the ridge, and then a shady descent. Lastly, around 5-6 miles of up and down roller coaster-y hiking thru dunes with scrub.

I passed thru piles and piles of the largest pine cones I have ever seen

Walked by solar farms. (Lord knows, they're not farming anything else out here!)

And passed this unnerving sign.

Finally, I arrived at Hikertown around 7:30 pm. I got in just as a carload of hikers wee heading to the store for some dinner. Hungry, I hopped in with them, saying hello to Silver on the way.

Hikertown is a series of small buildings with beds where hikers can stay for $10. There are showers, laundry, a small kitchen, and hammocks to relax in. I ended up getting a bed in a small trailer. By the time I showered and ate, it was past 9- crazy late by hiker standards!

Since I had a late end and because it was hot, I ended up hanging around Hikertown the next day. The owner had worked for any years doing props and scenery for movies and TV, and Hikertown was set up like and old western set.

And there were vintage cars all around.

Overall, a great place to eat up for the day before beginning a new section of trail ...

Peace, love, and trail magic!