Big bear lake – Aqua Dulce (mile 266-454)

We have finally arrived at Aqua Dulce! I say finally, but it it’s amazing how quickly this resupply town has come around! It feels like only a few days since we started at the Mexican border, but we have infact now been on the trail for over a month! Aqua Dulce isn’t just any resupply town (although each town so far has had it’s own charm and individuality.) but it it’s also the home of the Saufleys. The saufleys are trail angels extraordinaire! Each year they open up their home to hundreds of stinky hikers and provide every service you could think of. They act as a hotel, post office, laundrette and mental wellbeing zone. We have finished this section of the trail with 2 days of chores and rest here at hikers heaven.

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Getting here from Big Bear Lake has been just as varied and exciting as the first part of the trail. The pattern of the trail is starting to emerge as the trail goes up and over the biggest mountains it can find, only to drop us thousands of feet back into the desert.

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Over the last few days we have summited mount Baden Powell which sits at 9406ft and we are now on our way to crossing the Mohave desert which sits near sea level!

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We have also been seeing increasingly exiting wildlife. A day before getting to Wrightwood we got a good view of a Bobcat which is a close relation to the European lynx. Then two days ago we also got a great sighting of a coyote!

We are really getting into the outdoor living now and everyday brings us a new surprise and view.