Day 37:Acton KOA - Hiker Heaven/ Agua Dulce (mi 444-454)

We had an early departure, where we passed the golden spike (point of PCT completion),  and climbed into the interesting Vasquez geological formation. 

Passssing the Golden Spike

Smiles with fruitcake-like metamorphic rocks behind at sunrise. 

We had a beautiful, easy walk  where I contemplated what I wanted to do after the hike and where my motivations lay. I became increasingly convinced that returning to graduate school was in my future, however I was also convinced that I would need to work and secure funding before doing so. Hopefully I will be able to come up with some fruitful ideas on this trek... 

Smiles heading into the oddly-shaped rocks nearby the Vasquez formation. 

A tunnel in the shape of the PCT emblem burrows beneath Highway 14.

We crossed under highway 14 by way of a concrete tunnel in the familiar shape of the PCT emblem. Once through, we were in the Vasquez formation park. Beautiful sandstone formations set off-kilter by faulting towered around us as we wove in and out of caves and ravines. 

Old high school buddies and trail comrades Smiles and Rocky pause amidst the rocks for a photo. 

Pocketed sandstone rocks created excellent bird roosts. 

Dr. Slosh in front of some exposed rocks. 

Rocky (left) and Smiles (right) hot on track to Hiker Heaven. 

The PCT wove along canyon floors for a stretch. 

Hopefully this was not news to any hikers at this point. 

After a brief climb, the trail exits the canyons and follows a topographic bench north to Agua Dulce, with peaked, tilted slabs fringing the border. 

Following along a formation. 

Almost there! More odd-shaped sandstone. 

A sign spotted en route to Hiker Heaven. Most curious. 

We left the park and arrived at hiker heaven after a bit of the road walk. The lady at the grocery store seemed relatively assured that somebody would pick us up and give us a ride the rest of the way but, alas, no such luck. Hiker Heaven was a trip. Nothing short of insane/accurate name, as we were greeted by Trail Angels providing an instructional tour on the proper operations. Free laundry (done by Donna Saufley and Trail Angels), showers, and 40+hikers lounging around the expansive yard was about all we could take in off the bat. We secured sleeping space on cots, as all indoor accommodations were taken, and picked up our mail. My mom sent a nutritious, surprise, care package and some much-needed new shoes. 

Time to go! Old shoes served me well but they were floppy and beat up. 

We spent the rest of the day taking care of various chores, frantically trying to update blogs, and otherwise lounging and relaxing the tired feet. 

One of many Epsom salt foot baths at Hiker Heaven. 

Starfox tests the photographic capabilities of the S-110.