Gross Pond (Noble Lake) to Ebbett’s Pass – 4.3 miles
PCT Mile 1045.3-1049.6
July 3, 2026
I woke up early to finish the miles to Ebbett’s Pass where Shawn was going to pick me up. I initially thought that Buffer would be with him and we would continue on to the next section, but it turns out she wasn’t feeling great from the push the day before and we decided to take a zero back in town and reassess.
Noble Lake with moon above the peak
Early morning sun making good shadows
The trail went down into the canyon to a nice water source where I could dump the nasty pond water and refill with nice, fresh water.
Dirty shoe and clean shoe
After a couple of hours, I approached the road crossing at the pass.
Shawn explained that Buffer was still at home, but he brought trail magic which we shared with other hikers that came through over the next half hour or so.
The morning started with a decent uphill ascent, but nothing crazy. Always fun to look back and see where you came from. That’s something I try to keep in mind: look back.
I met Buffer an hour or so later at the first water source. Her water filter seemed to be having the same issue mine did last year.
We would also see some more thru hikers. I think we were a little bit ahead of “the bubble” for the 2026 Class, but there really is no singular bubble anymore like there used to be. Thru hikers spread out all over the trail due to differing start dates, paces, injuries, and just sheer volume these days. Which is how it should be. We want everyone to experience the trail on their own time and as they want to.
We got to a nice water source and I laid down to rest.
Then we decided it was lunch time so we stayed around.
Lunch
I realized how Texan my HEB “Texas Tough” ziplocks were and we both had a good laugh at my state’s hubris.
We continued on after lunch and I was preparing mentally for a big climb. I would find out later that this is where Buffer and I’s hiking styles differ quite a bit. I’ll explain after the next few videos.
Cool trail
At camp, Buffer would take me aside and let me know that voicing my opinion about upcoming terrain (ups or downs) would interfere with her ability to enjoy the hike. I didn’t realize it, but for me, that’s one of the parts I actually really enjoy: the planning and looking at the map for the rest of the day and the coming days. There’s nothing wrong with either style, they are just different. I do wish we had had a discussion about that prior to beginning our hike, along with our actual mileage expectations, but I’m not sure either of us realized how much it would affect our experiences.
Buffer, if you’re reading this, I absolutely loved hiking with you and would do it again, just with different expectations and an understanding of how we best work together. When we got to the pond (Noble Lake), I set up my tent and Buffer decided to continue on the 4 miles to Ebbett’s Pass and have Shawn pick her up that night. I think she wasn’t ready to quit for the day. That’s ok. “Hike Your Own Hike” is a saying for a reason. We decided to meet back up the following day at the Pass.
“Hike your own hike, but also don’t be a dick.” – Buffer
Well it took me a while, but I’m finally writing my blog for my section hike this summer. I hiked Nobo (northbound on trail) with Buffer, my friend from South Lake Tahoe that I met a couple of years ago when I took a trail maintenance course near Truckee. She and her partner Shawn are amazing people and I am forever grateful for their kindness and commitment to the hiking community.
I flew in to Reno a couple of days before our planned start date so I could acclimate to the altitude a bit. Coming from 400 feet in Austin to over 6000 in Tahoe and then 9000+ at the trail head means I needed to chill for a bit and Tahoe is a great place to do just that.
Luckily, with my fully remote work schedule, I was able to work from their house and not burn two extra days of PTO. It also gave me plenty of time to finalize gear and food, though I never get food right. I think I will forever tinker with my food system. I’ve always been picky and backpacking food seems to really challenge me.
Anyway, let’s get to the hiking!
We started on trail around noon after a Chik-Fil-A breakfast (I also got a spicy chicken sammich that I packed in for lunch/dinner) and reached our high point of just over 10,000 feet at Sonora Peak only a couple of miles in. After that, we headed down into a canyon for most of the day. The scenery was beautiful and we barely saw any other hikers past the trail head until we reached camp for the night.
Buffer took selfies every mile or so. Thanks Buffer!
There was still a bit of snow in places, though nothing that would have required micro spikes or ice axes. It was a pretty low snow year in the Sierra. Thanks to Buffer for the videos and pics of me hiking, which I normally don’t have many of.
Snack break at a beautiful view
As we wound down into the canyon, it was nice to have someone to chat with about life and hiking. It is quite different than being alone with your own thoughts.
Of course, marmots were about.
Another selfie!
Water in the northern Sierra is plentiful. We really only needed a liter at a time, though I usually had 1.5 to 2 because I’m paranoid.
One of my favorite pics of the hike.
Buffer
We climbed out of the canyon for another mile or so to get to a campsite on higher ground, but still sheltered. We met a thru hiker at camp named Shake, who we would leapfrog and hang out with for the next couple of days. He was one of the more interesting hikers I’ve ever met (aren’t they all?). It was a lovely first day and we both slept well, despite Buffer forgetting her tent stakes and having to make due with big rocks to keep her tent upright. It worked! 🙂
Yes, you read that right. Today was my last day on trail…for now. I’ll explain more in the next post.
Beth drove us back to the trail after her amazing generosity and hospitality. She made us avocado toast for breakfast, which is a great pre-hike meal.
13.6 to I-15 and McDonald’s
Thirty seconds after she dropped us off, we saw two hikers coming up the trail. Postmaster and 4Runner! Two of the very first people I met on trail after my difficult first day. They really helped get me on my trail feet after Lake Morena and it was so perfect that the trail brought us back together on my last day. There’s something truly cosmic going on out here.
Sticks, Postmaster, and 4Runner
We hiked together for the morning, climbing up the ridge above the lake.
VideoTop of the ridge
We hiked on through relatively flat terrain as we got closer to Cajon Pass and I-15.
First view of Cajon PassEpic views
We wound down the trail into the valley.
Video
It was a really nice hike and I was happy to spend my last day on trail with a great friend I had made. Sticks is continuing on with his hike as a tribute to his late son. He’s a great guy.
The last bit of trail went through a beautiful canyon. This was an unexpected and lovely way to end my hike and Section C of the PCT.
End of hikeMcDonald’s!
This is also part of the old Route 66.
Hikers leaving McDonald’s after attempting the 4000 calorie challenge. I did not attempt this. There it is!So terrible, yet so good.
One more post coming to explain why I left the trail and what the future holds. I’ll try and get it up later today or tomorrow.
I woke up in the dusty side lot of the Joshua Inn and had to decide what to do.
My feet were absolutely destroyed the day before. They had been getting worse and worse, ever since Big Bear, despite my zeroes in Idyllwild and Palm Springs. I think the main culprit was the late creek crossing a few days ago and my feet never really recovered.
New blisters, old blisters festering, and now ankle pain, on top of the numbness spreading in my left foot. That said, a good night’s sleep at the Joshua Inn revived me enough to decide to continue hiking with Sticks until at least Cajon Pass, 26 miles further on.
We woke up and were in no rush, since we were only going 13 miles to Silverwood Lake.
Alan gave us a ride back to trail in his electric Nissan Leaf with a trailer for our packs.
We hiked up into the hills, but mainly stayed on the flanks of them overlooking the valley with views of Mt. Baldy in the distance.
Mt Baldy with snow
We had one tricky creek crossing where Sticks tried to rock hop, but slipped and fell in, losing a hiking pole in the process.
Video
We came to the dam that creates Silverwood Lake and the California Water Authority equipment depot at its base.
Approaching the dam
We hiked up a steep hill and were greeted at the top by great views of the lake and an amazing breeze. We then hiked a few more hot miles around the lake to the far side, where we had an amazing swim and rest at some picnic tables in the shade.
Water felt amazing, but my feet were not happy.
We weren’t technically allowed to camp at the lake, so the plan was to hang out until evening and “stealth camp” (usually cowboy camping – no tent – in an inconspicuous place) to avoid detection and get out early the next morning.
But the trail provides. Sticks got a text that a friend of a friend (another firefighter) who lived 20 minutes from the lake had offered to let us stay with her that night and was going to pick us up! Trail Angels rock!
Beth picked us up in her RAV4 and drove us up the windy mountain road to the small town of Crestline. First stop: FOOD!
Me, Beth, and Sticks devouring Mexican food
She then took us to her house where we showered, did laundry, and slept in real beds! She even gave me a robe.
Today sucked. Every step was a new nightmare (Tyler and Ike should get that reference).
The flies and gnats were relentless all morning and we had 19 miles to make today, all on the banks of the canyon formed by Deep Creek. It was so hot. I’ll let videos do most of the talking.
300 miles
We made it to the hot springs where I had to sit in the shade and eat to get some calories so I could keep going. The hot springs were…underwhelming.
Lots of naked locals and not in a good way. Apparently we just caught it on a bad day, as other hikers would later tell us they had a great time and were surrounded by mostly other PCT hikers, but for us it was just sketchy and weird. Homeless people, lots of fat, old white guys, and just generally a methy vibe. Oh well.
So we skipped the soak, refueled and hiked on. We crossed the rainbow bridge (another PCT landmark I had been wanting to see).
Six hard miles later, made it to the highway where we called Alan, a trail angel who shuttles hikers to the Joshua Inn.
The Joshua Inn is really just a bar that lets hikers camp out in their huge dirt side lot, but it was a good hang out and they had beers and good food, which is what we hikers care about.
SticksBar and the backyard with tables
We paid $5 to camp and another $5 for a cold shower. My feet were absolutely fried and I had a lot of thinking to do this night.
Woke up and hiked. More of the same, but with great views in the morning!
Video
We crested the ridge and went down the back side to a nice spot for lunch where we decided our packs were too damn heavy with 4 days worth of food. So a big lunch was the only answer.
Tortillas, salami, cheese, Cheetos, and whatever else
Video
Towards the end of this long day we were greeted with a couple of creek crossings where we had no choice, but to get wet. Always fun right before camp so you have to let your shoes dry out all night. Oh well.
Deeper than it looks
We finally got to camp, set up all of our wet shoes and socks to dry, and were treated to another beautiful sunset. The bugs would also come out, but they weren’t too much of a problem until the morning.
I went back to Idyllwild after coming down off San Jacinto at I-10 and hung out for a couple of days while I waited for Court to fly into Palm Springs to meet up.
I became very familiar with all the local shops and restaurants, having nothing to really do for a couple of days, which is a very weird feeling after getting up and hiking all the time.
When Court flew into Palm Springs, she grabbed a rental car and headed up to Idyllwild to get me. We went to the brewery for lunch and then a little Italian bar for a glass of wine, while we waited for the mayor and his deputy to show up and greet visitors on the town square.
L to R: Mayor Max III and Deputy Meadow
Idyllwild is a really cool town and I think we will definitely be back.
We headed down to our rental in Palm Springs, which was great. Guest house with a private pool. Very plush.
We enjoyed our time there, but honestly, Idyllwild is more our speed. Anyway, I decided to skip a little bit of trail so I could meet back up with my hiking partner John, since he was now going solo (Clay went home for work and family until July).
Court drove me the hour and a half through the bizarre desert and up the mountain to Big Bear where we met John at the highway 18 intersection with the trail. We made a quick jaunt into town, dropped another hiker off at the store, then got a fast food breakfast (sorry Court) and zoomed back up to the trail where I said goodbye and headed into the mountains.
New bag of Fritos in tow
We only did about 10 miles to ease me back on the trail a bit before setting up camp at a nice spot early and watched the sunset through the trees.
Cool lichenMine on the left, John on the right – no fires allowed
We woke up early, packed up, and walked a mile up the road out of town to the Deer Springs Trailhead. This would start our ascent up Mt San Jacinto, the second tallest peak in Southern California and highest on the PCT before the Sierra.
This trail went up 4.1 miles to Strawberry Junction at 8000 feet where it met with the PCT.
We turned left on the PCT to continue northbound and soon the snow started to be more frequent. The water was flowing great with all the snow melt, so we never carried more than a couple of liters.
Video
Soon it was time to put on the Microspikes to help us get some traction. Later, the ice axes would come out.
Video
We trekked on until we came to Fuller Ridge. This is notoriously difficult in snow and I am definitely glad we had ice axes. We would not have attempted it otherwise. There were a couple of younger hikers doing it with just poles, but that is not advised.
Ice axe would come in handyVideo
I don’t have much from the hard parts, as you had to be completely focused and in the moment every step of the way. If we fell, we wouldn’t have died, but definitely could have gotten hurt in some parts. I self arrested with my axe twice and Chainsaw (John) did three times. It took us about 2-3 hours to get fully done with the ridge.
Here’s a fun glissade (sliding down on our butts) though.
VideoChainsaw with proper ice axe technique (axe on the uphill side)
We finally got to the other side of the mountain and started descending. We had some amazing views of Mt San Antonio (aka Mt Baldy) and Mt San Gorgonio in the clouds on the way down. These mountains are part of the horizontal range above Los Angeles.
Mt San GorgonioCool clouds
We got to camp at a lovely sheltered spot next to a creek below snow line. There was no wind and the sound of the babbling brook was nice to fall asleep to. This would not last.
The next morning, after the wind decided to rage starting at about 1am, we got a slightly late start on the remaining 16 mile hike down the mountain to Interstate 10. This is a huge 7000 foot drop to the valley floor and the second lowest spot on the PCT.
The rate of descent is actually very gradual and the trail winds around the mountain faces FOREVER. We would also pass the 200 mile mark.
Looking back from whence we came. Chainsaw is just visible at the bottom of the pic. Video
We finally got to the famous high pressure water faucet at the bottom several hours later and refilled water and soaked our hats for the remaining 3 mile flat walk to the I-10 underpass, which marks the end of PCT Section B. This was actually just as brutal as the descent. The wind was relentless and we had to trudge through a dry, sandy riverbed that was reminiscent of walking on Mars.
Snow Creek water fountainBrutal endingSan Jac peak (center) and Fuller Ridge (right)
But we eventually made it and we’re greeted with trail magic of cold Rolling Rocks to end the day!
Cold beers after a very long day. Thank you trail angels!
The guys got picked up by their wives at the underpass to go stay in Palm Springs for a couple of days and I miraculously got an Uber back to Idyllwild (45 min drive back up the mountain). I will have another couple of zeroes there while I wait for Court to meet me and then have a long Palm Springs weekend of our own.
A zero day (zero miles hiked) in Idyllwild was definitely the right choice, especially with what was coming next.
Idyllwild is a great little mountain townTown monumentCourt’s dream truck to putt about townTown square
After I checked in to my room on Friday, I went out and did some town chores. I got some resupply food and first aid stuff, got an amazing pizza for dinner, and went back to the room for an Epsom salt bath and bed.
The next morning I went out and got breakfast. Hiker hunger is starting to kick in!
Chicken fried steak with gravy, eggs, and home fries
Then it was time for the most important chore: new shoes. I love my La Sportivas, but my feet, specifically my toes have swollen and I need something with a bigger toe box. So I took the Altra plunge, as many hikers tend to do these days.
Old – La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2 New – Altra Olympus 5Swollen hiker feet
They didn’t have exactly the size I needed (14), so I went with a 13, which still gave me a little room to grow, but not much. I’m sending my La Sportivas home because when I’m done hiking here, I still want them for day hikes. Love those shoes.
John and Clay had bailed on the second part of the 32 mile stretch they were doing to come and get a nearo (near zero miles) in town before we ascended Mt San Jacinto the next day. I met them up in the afternoon for a glass of wine and some live music and then we all crashed at the house.
L to R: John (Chainsaw), Clay (MacGyver), and me (Hummingbird)
