Big Bear to Wrightwood: A Change of Mind

I've completely changed my mind about this trip, in a good way. I no longer feel the need to be a thru-hiker. I don't feel the need to walk every bit of this trail. I've walked about 350 miles through the desert, and have learned a lot about myself from that experience. 

There are many reasons why I have decided to skip the next 350 miles of desert. I feel better about being out here for 3.5 months, rather than 4.5 months. This eases my homesickness somehow, and allows me to graduate in December. I'm still going to hike probably about 1,000 miles this summer, but I'm not pushing for Canada. I'm going to take every side trail that looks interesting, and design my own adventure.  I'm also now planning on hiking the John Muir Trail, including the parts that don't overlap with the PCT. That interests me more now than restricting myself to hittin  'X' miles a day every day to make it to Canada.

I know I can do the whole trail physically, and probably mentally. I may still finish the rest of the trail, but just not the remaining desert portion. I have no desire to walk through a non-scenic desert, with 110℉ heat, and water spread 30 miles apart. I don't see this as quitting, or failure, but rather an adjustment of my goals.

Some cool rocks in the desert shortly before Wrightwood, CA.

This has already been an amazing experience, I can only image what's to come! This means that I'm pretty much throwing out my schedule. If I don't make it through Washington, I'm not too bothered because I can come back, and I will. I've met many retired folks who don't let their age stop them, the oldest of whom was 76. I plan on going on journeys like this until I'm dead, so why rush?

Some friends on a beautiful ridgeline walk.

If you ever want to take a deep look inside yourself, go walk 350 miles through the desert. It's amazing were your mind will take you.