Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

After two and a half days in the town of Big Bear Lake, I was feeling better (head wound-wise) and got a lift back to Onyx Summit to restart my thru-hike where I left it.

But that did mean I would have to face the tree that attacked me. 😀

I got my revenge by poking the tree with the sharp, pointy tips of my trekking poles.

Take that, you monster tree!!

In retrospect, I think the ‘attack’ was probably just me not ducking enough when going under the fallen tree trunk.

Although the tree did seem to be still alive and was somewhat concealed in the foliage, so I don’t think I was completely at fault.

After getting my revenge, I headed North on the trail once again.

It was a nice and uneventful hike.

I did see a couple of wild donkeys along the way.

It was in this stretch of trail that I saw my first Joshua Trees from the trail (although I have been told there were some further south, but this was the first time I recognized and noted their presence).

Labeled by PeakFinder

I decided to stop short of Highway 17 to camp, since there weren’t any campsites on the FarOut app for over 4 miles after the PCT crossed Highway 17.

Mile 252.5 to 264.9 – 12.4 miles total hiked on the PCT

PCT 2026 Day 26 Photos and Movies

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Flickr collection of all PCT 2026 Photos and Movies, Organized by Trail Day: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wanderingjim/collections/72157727360883240