Mile 478 to 486

PCT in a tree covered canyon in the Angeles Ntl Forest.

Section E
Sanfrancisquito Canyon Rd to Hughes Lk Rd.–Nobo
Miles: 8
Hiking with: Rob



Lodging: Best Western John Jay Inn, Palmdale, CA – There are a lot of hotels in Palmdale along Hwy 14.  It was appropriate we stay in the John Jay Best Western on Martin Luther King Day Weekend.  John Jay was the first Supreme Court Justice and 3 time Governor of New York.  On his third try as Governor he emancipated the slaves in New York State.  Why there is a hotel in the small remote desert city of Palmdale, CA named after him I have no idea.  The décor was sort of colonial.  I got my Best Western discount and so got a real deal.  Regardless of what I paid I feel Best Western is always a great deal.  They’re always cheaper than the Marriotts, Hiltons, and Holiday Inn Expresses and usually get comparable rooms.  However, this hotel only had hard wired Internet in the rooms.  The only wireless available was in the lobby.



Car Rental: We rented from Avis in Hesperia the previous day. It was about 10 minutes away from the Hotel. I was able to return the car in Palmdale just 2 exits north of the hotel.



Dining: After hiking we returned the rental car and asked the attendant if she knew of any good restaurants – she pointed to the Bayou Bar B Que across the parking lot and said “I’ve never eaten there but everyone say it’s great”.  That’s was good enough for us so we tried it.  Wow—this was as Cajun as this boy born in Michigan and lived in Arizona for the past 25 years has ever had.  I’ve read some of the on-line reviews and they are like:  “Best Cajun food west of Texas”.  Definitely worth the try.  I had the Bayou Classic which is Bar B Que chicken, smoked brisket, spicy pulled pork, bacon, and cole slaw on a hamburger bun – FANTASTIC!!!  I also had some other southern food such as Greens (boiled large leaf of some sort) and Lousiana Boudin (Pork and spices injected into a natural casing)….It was OK but next time I’m getting cole slaw.



Start: We dropped a car off along the roadside where the PCT crosses Hughes Lake Road and then drove to San Francisquito Canyon Rd and parked along the roadside where the PCT crosses.  There were another 6 cars here – my guess they were from locals out doing a quick hike (they were all gone when we returned to pick up the car after the hike).  Just down the road is a forest service station with a parking lot and picnic tables.  I’m surprised they PCT wasn’t routed through this spot just 100 yards down the road. 



End: We arrived at our car on Hughes Lake Rd.



People along the trail: We saw a local hiking with his dog and a trail runner.



Description: Having spent a summer in Palmdale 30 years ago I thought this area would be ugly low desert scrub and very exposed.  To my surprise there was a lot of tree cover and it was extremely green (although this is January not Spring/Summer and we had cloud cover).  The canyons had large trees which added variety to the PCT.  The trail would wind into a canyon with tree cover with a forest feel and then wind out to a ridge line with spectacular vistas. 

After the hike we drove back to get the other car at San Francisquito Canyon Rd, drove back to the hotel and showered (they were very nice and gave us a late checkout), dropped off the rental car, ate at Bayou Bar B Que (see comments above), and started our cruise back to Phoenix in the Mini Cooper.  The term “Mini” is very descriptive not only in the size of the car but also of the gas tank.  About 30 miles outside of Blythe we noticed the display said we had 37 miles of gas left.  We finally pulled into the first gas station in Blythe with “1 mile” of gas left.  Hmmm….we almost had an unplanned hike.

Me at the San Francisquito Canyon Rd Trail head. 
Here the signs are made of 1" thick steel. 
Unlike PCT Signs in Deep Creek the bullet holes didn't go through the sign.

A view from the PCT looking North into the Mohave Desert.

Wow -- what are these Californians shooting with.
Some of these bullet holes go right through this 1" steel sign.

Fallen tree in a canyon.

Water Cache just west of Hughes Lake Road. 

PCT crossing Hughes Lake Road.

Red Ford Focus rental car & Rob -- this little car can handle corners well.

Greens & the Bayou Classic from Bayou Bar B Que.

Pork Boudin sausage -- I can now say I tried it....once.

Mini Cooper's display showing 2 mls of gas left
and 3 miles from the next gas station!!!!

Mile 298 to 314

Bridge at mile 310.  From this point N. the PCT is
on top of the Hesperia Aqueduct.

Section C
Deep Creek Baldwin Lake to Little Bear Springs – Nobo
Miles: 16
Hiking with: Rob

Lodging:  Holiday Inn Express, Hesperia, CA  - There are a lot of hotels in Hesperia.  I would have preferred to stay in the Best Western at El Cajon pass but that is closer to the ski resort in the San Bernardino Mtns and consequently had higher rates.  There are a lot of hotels in the area and at the next intersection to the north.  I booked through www.hotwire.com and paid about $80.

Car Rental:  We rented from Avis in Hesperia.  It was about 10 minutes away from the Hotel.  I was able to return the car in Palmdale the next day which was closer to my planned hike for day 2.

Dining:  At the next exit to the north we ate at Baja Fresh.  A good safe bet.  There are a lot of places --- no lack of choice.  I wanted to eat at Emma Jeans Holland Burger which is a Diners, Drive-ins & Dives but it was closed for dinner -- next hike.

Start:  We dropped off a car at mile 314 where the trail crosses Hwy 173, a 30 minute drive from the hotel.  There is a parking area at the crossing.  There were about 8 cars when we returned -- I assume all hiking up to Deep Creek Hot Springs (6 miles one way).  Hwy 173 is closed just past the PCT crossing.  To save money the State gave the road to San Bernardino County who closed it so they didn't have to maintain the road but they reserved it as an emergency route out of Lake Arrowhead.  The maps can be a little confusing in this area as they show the road going right through a lake -- no worries -- this is another Southern California dry lake.

End:   We then drove on Hwy 173 to Hwy 138, through the mountain village of Crestline to the "Rim of the World Hwy", to Lake Arrowhead, to Hook Rd, and onto Splinter's Cabin trail head.  From Hwy 173 which loops around the east side of Lake Arrowhead take Hook Creek Rd – which is a major intersection for this area (no stop light). Stay on Hook Creek Rd. which winds up and down and around for a while. You’ll finally see some signs that say “Splinters Cabin” – follow the sign.  After you cross a small creek  a locked gate will be on your right with some parking to the side. Follow the dirt/paved road behind the gate for about ½ mile past the washed out road, past Splinter’s Cabin to the Deep Creek Bridge and the PCT.

People along the trail:  The Hot Springs (mile 307) were a happening place.  There were about 30 college kids in several groups (in swimming suits) -- I was rather glad I didn't see any naked old men like most hikers report.  Everyone was pleasant.


Description:  The day was pretty short with the sun rising about 7ish and going down about 5:30.  We left the hotel about 7:30 but didn't get the the beginning of Deep Creek until 8:45.  The road from Hesperia to Lake Arrowhead are very curvy -- not worries as we were driving Rob's wife's Mini Cooper and the rental was a loaded Ford Focus which handled very nicely.  Shuttling cars we drove this road 3 time during this day and it was a lot more fun to cruise around those corners in small sporty cars rather than my Excursion. 
We were the only car at the Splinter's Cabin / Deep Creek Trail head.  It was a little cool in the morning with ice covering the parts of the slower moving creek.  The trail is carved into the wall of Deep Creek the whole way which makes this a very spectacular hike.  This section of the PCT is also used by a lot of locals as evidence by the bullet holes in the PCT signs and from the Hot Springs north there is a lot of Graffiti. 
At about mile 309.5 on the opposite side of the canyon you can see a water gate and the beginning of the Hesperia Aqueduct.  I don't know how old the aqueduct is but it's got to be 1800s?  A 1/2 mile further down the trail is an arched bridge where the PCT crosses the canyon.  From this point on the trail is on top of the Hesperia Aqueduct until you reach the Dam at mile 312.5. 
I've read where others thought this was the most spectacular part of the PCT from the Mexican Border -- It was impressive but I'd say top 5.  It is unique so far as it is truly a canyon hike rather than a mountain ridge/side hike.
The PCT was closed in this section due to a land slide.  I had heard from other PCTers that it was passable for hikers -- after looking at the alternate route which was basically a dirt road I decided to cheat and stay on the PCT -- I'm glad I did.
I read another hiker's description of this trail which said the best time to hike this section was in May when the wild flowers are in bloom and the Creek is running strong -- I believe him although the creek was flowing well in Jan and when I saw it in October.

Rob & the ever so nimble Mini Cooper (I wish it had a larger gas tank).

The bridge at the beginning of Deep Creek.  Note the ice on the creek.

Land slide that causes the Forest Service to close this section of the PCT.
I crossed it easily without fear of life.

Deep Creek.

We smelled a skunk along the trail and soon came upon the source.
There was a fight between two animals and the skunk lost -- big time.
All that was left of the skunk as one paw (in the above pic)
and some tufts of black & white fur.

Deep Creek.

PCT sign with Bullet holes (1/4" steel plate).

Bridge 2 of 3 on this section.

Hmmm....a melted sign from a forest fire I presume.

Deep Creek Hot Springs.

The arched bridge where the trail meets the Hesperia Aqueduct
which looks like a trail coming from the right edge of the picture.

Graffiti sample.

Colorful Graffiti on a PCT sign.

The gate was open to the dam and 4 wheelers were driving through the dam.