Off to a HOT Start (Campo to Idyllwild)

Excited to get started as I leave from the Mexican border. Peggy and Rachel dropped me off at the Southern Terminus and were able to drive beside me for the first half a mile. Saying good bye to family I won't see for 4+ months is always the hardest part.

Starting in the south means I hike through my least favorite part first; the desert. Planning access to water is critical in this section, even moreso in a drought year.

Trail angels and water caches help mitigate the challenge but the desert requires carrying a lot of water which makes for a heavier pack while trail legs are still building.

This section ends in Idyllwild which brings me back to many childhood hikes up San Jacinto and San Gregornio so excited to get back there.

Day 1: Mexican Border to Hauser Creek

Was surprised by some natural water sources and all the desert flowers being in bloom. Starting a PCT Thru Hike this late in the season (my permit didn't allow me to start until early May) adds to issues of heat and water access but also has me hiking through the desert when it is in bloom. It is amazing how even the most sparce and formidable environments have a beautiful side when you look for it. Ended the day early at Hauser Creek (about 15 miles). Had camp to myself until about 5 PM when four other hikers joined.

Day 2: Hauser Creek to Cibbets Campground

Got up early (5:40 AM) to start hiking before the heat. Hit Lake Morena early which was my water access for the day. After that, it was desert hiking at its best. Put in 18 miles and spent the night at Cibbets Campground. So nice to have simple things like water, pit toilet and a picnic table. I love how hiking quickly points out all we take for granted and makes us more grateful for simple things.

Day 3: Cibbets Campground to Mount Laguna

Mount Laguna is listed as one of the top 10 places on the PCT and now I know why. It is awesome. After two days of desert hiking it felt good to gain altitude and see some pine trees. Felt a bit like Yosemite so I loved it. Also offered great views and cool breezes. As a bonus I found an epic cliff side tent site offering a great view of the sunrise. Stopped by the Mount Laguna General Store where I grabbed my resupply box, some Gatorade and hid from the Sun for a few hours.

Day 4: Mount Laguna to Mile 64

Another early start (10 miles before 10 AM is the Thru hiker rule of thumb). Back to desert hiking after the brief break at Mount Laguna. Stopped at the Sunrise Highway Trailhead where Pony Boy offered trail magic of Gatorade and fresh fruit. Spent three hours hunkered in the shade of a bush during the sun's peak hours and then did another 6 miles before finding a tent site. Passed 50 miles today - first milestone ;)

Day 5: Hike into Julian

My original plan did not include going into Julian but rumors were that trail angels were shuttling hikers too and from this trail town so I changed my plan. Hiked 11 miles to the Scissors Crossing underpass (actually was 13 miles as I wandered off trail for a bit). First time I ran out of water - not a comfortable feeling in the desert heat. Luckily there was shade and a water cache at the underpass. After an hour we were shuttled into town by Fossil. Julian is a friendly trail town with free cider, pie and ice cream for Thru hikers. Also a good outfitter where I got poles, better sun protection and blister treatments:). Also stayed at a B&B that reminded me of Peggy's. Shower and bed went a long way toward restoring my body and spirits. Note the many cactus in the pictures and how they grow right up on the trail - have to be mindful hiking as you do not want to bump into one of those :).

Day 6: From Julian to the desert

Spent all morning in Julian getting packed and finalizing resupply. Shuttle dropped us back at the underpass at 3 PM and it was 95 degrees so I stayed in the shade until 4:30. Then started a 12 mile hike up a barren mountain. Used a headlamp and hiked until 9 PM. Then settled in the worst camp site ever. Exposed, rocky and windy but was so beat from the heat and climb I stayed there. Wind almost blew my tent into the valley so I cowboy camped. Wind blew hard all night making sleep difficult and my legs and feet killed after only a 12 mile day :(. Seriously questioned my ability to continue. (Note in the pictures the lack of green - another hiker described this area as a hellscape.)

Day 7: Big Day to Banning Ranch

Woke this morning feeling great. Makes no sense given how I felt last night and how poor the night went but I am grateful for the blessing and put in 12 miles along a ground hog day set of switch backs to the Banning Ranch trail head where a family set up trail magic. Cold Cactus Coolers, bacon, fruit, shade . . .it was wonderful and about a dozen hikers vortexed there until late afternoon. Put in another 8 miles before setting up camp for my first 20 mile day. Passed 100 miles today - second big milestone. (Note - the ground hog day reference is too a repeating set of switch backs that look so similar, you think you are hiking the same section over and over again)

Day 8: Trek to Mike's Place

Today started with a brief water stop in Warner Springs and then a meadow hike. After about a mile I came upon.a group of cows and a bull standing right on the trail. Not an expert in bull etiquette but he was big and protective so I proceeded with great caution and a little prayer. After that excitement the highlight today was hiking along an actual running creek for 5 miles of today's 18 mile jaunt. First natural water source since Day 1. Was hot but the breeze helped keep me cool. Ran into Giggles and Pony Boy going southbound handing out mobil trail magic (water and Gatorade). Ended the day at Mike's Place where I camped out on the porch. Cold, misty, windy night so glad to have some shelter. The care taker at Mike's was a trip and offered ample entertainment.

Day 9: From Mike's to Mary's

Today is another 18 miles with no good water stops. Also no shade so no afternoon siesta. Can see San Jacinto getting closer every day. Arrived at Mary's fairly early and set up camp. The area has a little library and odes to nature poets. Looks like possible rain and another breezy misty night. The good news is it didn't rain. However, I woke up at 2 AM getting wet because the mist was condensing on my tent and dripping in :(. I had to get up at 2 AM to put my rain fly up. Luckily I head to Idyllwild tomorrow to dry things out. While at Mary's so a ravens nest on a power pole with mom and dad feeding their chick's.

Day 10: Into Idyllwild

A town day motivates an early start and I arrive at the Paradise Valley Cafe after 7 miles of brisk hiking. After a robust breakfast at the diner, a Trail Angel named Grumpy takes me into Idyllwild. I stay at the Idyllwild Inn, get another resupply box and settle in for a little recovery. Based on my knee I decide to take a zero in Idyllwild to ice my knee and rest a bit before the ascents and descents of San Jacinto and San Gregornio. Cute little town and laundry and shower are both welcomed.

Day 11: Idyllwild

Today was all about rest and recovery. My sister Beth and her son visited and bought me a tasty sushi dinner. Was good to see familiar faces. Tomorrow I head up San Jacinto (a peak I climbed several times in my youth) and then on to Big Bear and Wrightwood. Next update in about two weeks.