Fine Folks of Julian

The town of Julian is about 12 or so miles off the PCT, but it is still well known to hikers for its yummy fruit pies. When we got to mile post 77, on Banner Rd, I told Dad that I wanted to get apple pie in Julian. I make apple pie at home with my mum several times a year. Melissa, a neighbor of ours who is a professional chef, reckons my apple pie is pretty good. My Dad also really likes fruit pies, so it wasn’t hard to convince him we should go to Julian. But 12 miles…

Dad had read that the folks in Julian welcome PCT hikers, and we hadn’t spent long by the side of the road before we were offered a lift into town by Ghost. Ghost is a ‘trail angel’ who helps out PCT hikers by giving them a ride into Julian. My Mum would probably freak out about me and Dad hitching, but I think she would also have liked Ghost 🙂 We were pretty filthy and probably did not smell great either, but he welcomed us into his cab and was really friendly. Thanks, Ghost!

In Julian, everyone was very friendly. The food was as good as promised, the helpings HUGE, and I probably should write more about our awesome meal. But what I really remember is how friendly all the locals were. My Dad grew up in a small town, and he really liked Julian too because it reminded him of the best parts about his own small town life. Thanks, fine folks of Julian!

With a belly full of food, it was hard to think about getting back to the trail. But there are more trail angels in Julian, and they actually run a shuttle from town back out to the PCT. So we waited about 15 minutes or so before getting another friendly ride, along with another hiker, back to where the trail crosses Banner Rd. Thanks, trail angels!

I would highly recommend hikers make the detour to Julian, even if you’re not hungry, just to get a really big dose of friendliness.

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