[pct-l] Thanksgiving hike: Big Bear Lake To Silverwood Lake

[Wes Rose]

Hi John,

I did that hike last year and really enjoyed it.  It's mostly an ascending trail and there's water pretty 
much all the way.  Some lengthy burn areas outside of Fawnskin, but Deep Creek alone is worth the
hike.  I used Halfmile's maps, but found that the only time I really used them was to mark progress; 
the trail is hard to lose.  If you're carrying a 90 lb pack, I'd give myself about 5 or 6 days.  We carried
about 25 lbs and did 22 miles a day, creating some physical discomfort.  Both my friend and I were in 
pretty good phyiscal shape, but not regularly packing weight.  It's the pack weight that gets you.
  
15 to 18 miles a day would by my approach were I to do it again.  There's a nice camp ground with fire
rings just past the last crossing of Holcomb Creek.  If you climb the bluff to the south you can get 
cell phone reception - at least I did w/ Verizon.  You're not supposed to camp in the Deep Creek area.
Camp spots are not terribly exciting past Deep Creek until you're past the 15 and into the San Gabriels,
IMHO.  

Have a blast!