Miles 329 to 352

Train Tracks

Today I am headed to the Cajon Pass. According to a thru-hiker named Dish Cloth, something like 70% of all freight train traffic passes through this pass. It has to do with imports from Asia coming through ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach. As interesting as that is, it is not the reason thru-hikers are obsessed with Cajon. It is because there is a McDonalds right next to the trail.

Some hikers speed up or slow down in order to hit the breakfast menu. Others target the lunch/dinner menu. Dish Cloth, however, is determined to be eating from the breakfast menu when they roll over to the lunch/dinner menu, so he can keep on going. This is the reason we pack up in the dark and hit the trail by 6:00am. There are 13 miles separating us from indigestion.

The views looking down on the pass are spectacular. The 70% traffic rings true, as there are massively long trains going in both directions, on at least four sets of tracks. With all the honking, I think I am back in India. At least I wish I were, because I prefer Indian to Mickey D’s, but you work with what you got. Dish Cloth and several others are way ahead of me. I’d like to think the menu pulls them stronger, but in reality they are both younger and stronger.

Mickey D’s

When I arrive, Dish Cloth is finishing breakfast and starting lunch. After three sandwiches and a McFlurry, I go under Highway 15, and climb 10 more miles towards Wrightwood. On the way I hear from Terri that Brian and Bri are driving to Pleasanton to work on their game plan. Mine is clear. I keep walking. I never find a decent flat spot, so I drop right next to the trail. I hope night hikers do not step on me. I try to sleep, but the sound of the trains is constant.

Under Highway 15