Little Gleason Forestry Plantation

The one with the amazing clouds, snake repellent and a cold beer!

📍 Location: MM 427 to Acton.

🏔️ Elevation: 6524ft
🥾 I actually walked: 19.3 miles
💰 Money: $25 for a burger and beer, $20 for the campground.
⛑️ Health: I’m feeling absolutely brilliant. No issues at the moment at all.

☀️ Weather: Overcast and cool in the morning, then hot 🥵 in the afternoon (but I’m coping much better in the heat now).

🍲 Food: Breakfast bar, noodles and tuna for lunch (I’m fed up of tuna!), then burger 🍔 for dinner.

💤 Sleep: on and off all night.

😃 People update: I’m worried about DinkyDi. I’ve had no response from my messages which is unlike her. She’s either lost power or not had service since yesterday.,

THE LONG WINDED VERSION:-

🌄 6:40 am. I had a rather restless night (hot sweats again) but I didn’t wake up until 5.30am. I packed up slowly and was on the trail by 6.30am. Worthy was camped next to me and we had a chat before he left. He did a long day yesterday as well, but he was keen to walk on his own. He said walking with others was causing him some anxiety about keeping up and not stopping to enjoy the journey. I completely get that. I also enjoy the solitude of hiking solo, but it’s nice to camp with others in the evening.

🥾 736am - As Worthy took the PCT route, I looked at the map. I decided to continue on the dirt road as it merged with the PCT in a few miles and it would be nice to see the views rather than looking at my boobs or feet all the time. Looking at the footprints, I’m not the only one who has taken this route.

🛻 I hear the sound of a truck coming up behind me. The road was closed so I was curious as to who it was. It was actually two trucks, with trail maintenance rangers. They stopped to chat saying that I’d chosen a good route as the PCT is heavy with brush and bracken at the moment. “It will tear your legs up!”
he said with a grin. “We are clearing it slowly and the section towards Messenger Flat Campground is now clear”.

☁️ I’m really enjoying the walk today. The weather is cool and there is a light wind. Below is the most incredible cloud inversion that stays with me for a few hours before it finally dispersed.

🏔️ 747am - I’ve got to the top of the a summit (over 6000ft) and the views I just can’t describe it. Just looks like the ocean over the desert. Sorry for sounding like a scratched record but it was a spectacular view.

👋 I’m now 6500 feet and it’s all down here from here all into the town of Acton. (Or so the elevation profile on the map would have you think!).

🌲 830am - I’m now back on the PCT trail and I feel right at home! I’m dodging cliff edges, climbing over blow down trees, scraping my body and my pack through the brush. Oh the joy! Where is my hiking buddy? I’m missing DinkyDi right now.

🌵 9:34am - I’m back on a dirt road with amazing views over mountains and the desert. I’ve not seen a single person in the last two hours. I’m just on my own and it’s very peaceful. I’m listen to the birds, watch the lizards dart across the road. Apparently the ones that look like sand and are a form of toad, not a lizard, and they squirt blood out of their eyes when I’m danger! I stay away from those ones!

🎒 My backpack is having some issues on my body. It’s not the backpack (Atom Pack) it’s me. I’ve lost so much weight, that the hip belt is just not holding place anymore. I’ve also lost fat around my hips so it’s laying on the bone and is quite sore. Hey Ho! Onwards and upwards. Acton is not that far away now I think it’s probably about 10 miles.

🧺 11.30am - Reached the North Fork Rangers Station. Joey & Maddie are here as are the English couple Jason & Sophie. I rest here for about an hour or so. Still no word from DinkyDi.

🐍 2pm - I keep leapfrogging a nice German couple (Hannah & Darian). Darian is a paramedic and Hannah is a nurse. As I turn a corner on a switchback they are in the middle of the trail and spraying each other from a bottle (the sort you see in a hairdressers when they want to just wet your hair). I’m curious and ask “what’s in the bottle?”. Darian has a sever phobia of snakes. It’s 100 times worse than my phobia and it’s ruining his hike. Every branch or twig is a snake, every cricket or bird in the bushes is a snake. He’s not sleeping as he is worried about snakes. Darian explained “someone in Wrightwood told us that snakes hate vinegar and olive oil, so we are spraying our legs every few hours. We’ve not seen a snake today so we think it’s working. Do you want some?” He asks. “Why not?” I said and turned around so he could spray the bottom of my legs and gaiters. “Blimey, that stinks!” I said, making a scrunching with my nose. “We hope the snakes think the same” said Hannah with a smile. All three of us stank our way down the mountain….. snake free!

💦 2:35 pm, I’ve just reached Mattox Canyon Creek but I don’t need water as I filled up at the Ranger Station. Instead I dunk my cap in the cold water and put it back on my head….. brrrrr now that’s cold but oh so good! The canyon now goes up… of course it does!!

🚗 4.26pm - Finally, I reached the car park and I’m not sure what to do. Shall I go to the RV campground, or do I have time to get to Acton before the post office closes? A guy called Kevin pulls up in a posh looking truck and lowers his window. “Would you like a ride to town?” He asks. There is another hiker in his passenger seat, so I thank him and accept his offer. “Hop in” he says! The guy in the front seat introduces himself as Poncho. I can smell him from the back seat which makes me very self conscious about my own hygiene. I vow to myself that I will have a shower tonight, even if it’s a cold bucket shower at the pub in town!

📦 4.38pm - Kevin dropped us off outside a pub called 49’ers. I waved goodbye (he refused any compensation for the ride). Americans are so kind. My first chore was to collect my bounce box from the post office which closed at 5pm. Sorted (I can’t wait to put in my new Salomon shoes tomorrow!).

🍺 I then made my way back to the 49’ers pub. Joey, Erica, Bloom, Bobby and two English people who knew me from YouTube called M&M. They had been walking with Ash from Ireland and they FaceTimed Ash from the bar! It was good to catch up. Ash is currently in Wrightwood and is therefore about 4 days behind me. I ate a huge burger, with a huge side salad and a non alcoholic beer. Lush! I added M&M to my little year book which is now nearly full up!

🏕️ 6pm - Many of the hikers are staying at the bar. There is space outside the back for tents, and they have buckets for showers and laundry (cold water). Disco Daddy is at the KOA up the road which is a proper campsite with full facilities, including laundry and hot showers. For $20 they also give you a pitch, Wi-Fi, free coffee, a towel, body wash and shampoo. I’m sold!

😃 I’m outside in the car park and get chatting with a husband and wife who have just eaten in the pub. I nick named them George & Mildred. Mildred was so in awe of what us PCT hikers are doing. I cheekily say “I don’t suppose you are able to give a ride to a nice English lady? I’m hoping to get to the RV park”. Mildred is in her element and says “of course, we’d happily give you a ride”. George opens up the boot and lifts my pack into the trunk. His face was a picture when he realised how much it weighs! 😂

🤴 The car journey was about 15 minutes and all they wanted to talk about was King Charles and the coronation. They had both been glued to the TV and watched all of the event from start to finish. “We are not keen on Camila, and that poor Lady Diana” said Mildred. They had cried when the Queen died and they were happy that Prince Harry had gone to the Coronation. We reached the campground. “Where do you go?” Asks George? “I have no idea, but drop me here and I’ll figure it out” I said. “Oh no you won’t” said Mildred. “That looks like the reception area over there. We can go in and make sure you are at the right place”. With that, they both got out of the car with me and escorted me into reception! I felt like my mum and dad were holding my hand, but it was quite sweet. “Disco Daddy!!” I screamed, a bit too loudly! He came over and we hugged each other. I introduced Disco to my chaperones which reassured them that I was in the right place. George & Mildred (not their real names) gave me a big hug each and then I waved them goodbye. Americans are so kind.

⛺️ 6.30pm - Fee paid, washing done and I’ve had a lovely hot shower. I’m snuggled Ip in my tent and I can hear trains going past in the background. By 8.30pm I’m exhausted and snuggle up in my cotton liner.

Disco Daddy and I have a plan for tomorrow. I’m looking forward to hiking with him again.

🌙 Night nightRead more