Pacific Crest Trail Hike

Michelle and I did an 8 mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail yesterday. We planned to make it to the hot springs, which is a little over 9 miles from the trailhead we found, but we soon figured we didn't give ourselves enough time. We found another trailhead along the way, so next time we'll start from there and shave 3 miles off the hike.

We entered the PCT at Hook Creek here:



We took Ninja and our foster dog Sprout with us.



The trail was for the most part flat and well kept. Most of the time it was 3ft wide and curving along Deep Creek.



We passed by Aztec Falls early in the hike. National Geographic named Aztec falls among its best swimming holes in America! It's a popular spot in the summer where people jump off a 30 ft rock and a bigger 60 ft. rock into the creek and lay out on the rocks for a tan.




Here's a cool 2.5 minute video I found on youtube of Aztec Falls. It's a relaxing place to cool off during the summer. If the video doesn't show up, click here.


The whole portion of the PCT we hiked was along Deep Creek. It's basically the runoff of Big Bear, Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead and everything inbetween. It flows year round and all of Deep Creek is a wild trout area. Supposedly the fires in 2003 dealt a huge blow to the trout population though.



The trail took us by some cliffs above the water. Here's a shot from one of them.



Some of the switchbacks were a little unsettling for Michelle because of the height and loose gravel.

Here's another gorgeous shot of Deep Creek.



4 hours into the hike, we ate lunch on the creek and I think we wore Sprout out as he crashed in the shade and used a rock as a pillow.



We are so lucky to have this in our backyard. We drove 20 minutes to the trailhead and there are countless other trailheads we have yet to explore.