The PCT has its own McDonalds

c) Andrew Carter, 2021

Of course, you have to take the off ramp.

The PCT crosses under the I-15 at Cajon Pass north of San Bernardino at Exit 131. You’ll find there a Chevron gas station and convenience store, a Best Western motel, a Del Taco, a Subway, several taco trucks, fruit, and slushee vendors, and … a McDonald’s. There’s even a sign on the PCT, letting you know the McDonald’s is just 4/10’s of a mile from the trail. Here’s that sign and a picture of the McDonald’s with some happy “hiker trash” out front.

The hiker in dark clothing bending over his pack to the right of the #4 sign was actually stuffing the pack with six McDouble’s (2 for $3.50) which he planned to consume at dinner. Given the size of the two bags at the curb, which is where he had been sitting beforehand, I’m guessing he had six McDouble’s for lunch as well.

As for me, I had just two McDouble’s, a large cup of coffee, and two ice cream cones. Since my son William was going to pick me up in an hour, I didn’t want to ruin my appetite for dinner. For dinner, I ended up having a large pizza and three ice-cold Pacifico beers.

By the way, the Appalachian Trail does not have its own McDonald’s. Only in California.