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days 7-12

May 6 day 7 camped mile 117.3 walked 8.7 miles today.

Woke to the continued light drizzle. Short walk to the outskirts of Warner Springs. Got to the post office before it opened. Other thru hikers were already there. Got my package of food till Idyllwild.

The community center was set up for the PCT. I scarfed down an egg pancake and sausage breakfast. Had a couple of hard boiled eggs and two tangerines for desert. Took my first shower since I started. It was nice and warm outdoors in a gentle drizzle. Had a cheeseburger for the road.

It rained the rest of the day. It was much harder walking with all the yummy food I was carrying. Didn’t go too far today which was the plan. I’m resting my feet for a long day tomorrow.

May 7 day 8 camped mile 140 walked 22.7 miles today.

I left camp in the cold drizzle. Good weather for walking. Went to Trail Angel Mike’s place just off the trail had a pancake and some coffee. Missed staying in the garage with the hoards of wet hikers last night. Made a wonderful stream bank camp sans water.

May 8 day 9 walked to mile 151.7 Highway 74 walked 11.7 miles today.

Got up early to get to the Paradise Valley Cafe for breakfast before my sister Lauri and her daughter Nicole picked me up. 13 miles by 10:30. Had a great time with my sister et. al. Had loads of food got my clothes cleaned for the first time and had an indoor shower plus there was a couch to sleep on. Felt pretty deluxe to me

May 9 day 10 camped mile 157.3 hiked 5.6 miles

Spent the morning with my sister Lauri in her lively house. Picked up a few supplies and was driven back to the trail by my sister and niece Nicole. Had a huge burger at the Paradise Valley Cafe with lots of other thru hikers. Made an excellent camp just before it stormed.

May 10 day 11 camped mile 175.5 hiked 18.2 miles

Long long day. First stop was Tunnel Spring. It featured slightly sulfurous water. First fully sunny day in a while. The trail was carved onto the steep eastern escarpment of the mountain. Made to camp at 8:20.

May 11 day 12 camped mile 185.2 walked 9.7 miles today.

Got up early to make it down to Humber Park at 10:00 to meet Nick Rigney. He arrived bearing gifts of homemade super healthy and yummy breakfast burritos and chai. After a leisurely meal we climbed the 1600 feet back up to the PCT and a few miles along it. Camped above the San Jacinto river.

days 4-6

Day 3 - Granite mountain with wild lilac in the foreground
Day 3 – Granite mountain with wild lilac in the foreground

May 3 day 4 camped mile 68.6 Rodriguez Spur Rd. 16.6 miles hiked.
Easy morning walk. Got water and washed self and clothes at Sunrise trailhead. Felt great. Hot descent down to the tank at Rodriguez spur road. Lots of thru hikers.

day 4 Horny toad.
Day 4 – Horny toad.

May 4 day 5 camped mile 85. 16.4 miles today.
It was a long steep and progressively hotter descent down to Scissor Crossing. There was a huge water catch here. Hung out for the afternoon under the bridge with 6 or 7 other thru hikers. Started the long steep hot climb at  3:00. Camped in a little canyon with a few other thru hikers I have met before.

Day 5 - looking down to scissor crossing.
Day 5 – looking down to scissor crossing.

May 5 day 6 camped mile 108.5 walked 23 miles today.
It was a cool day winding north. 1st stop ‘third gate’ water cache. Took a liter of water. It was such a good walking day I did 23 miles. Got water at Barrel Springs mile 101. I loved the second half of the day after the springs. This is easily accessible from San Diego. Gorgeous Oak grassland leading up into open canyons with Sycamore my favorite tree and more Live Oaks. Had a super comfy nights sleep on a mattress of oak leaves. It did rain a bit. Used my tent for the first time.

days 1-3

dirt
day 1 dirt

April 30th day 1.
Camped at Hauser creek mile 15.2.
Never start at 1:00
Very hot
I’m in heaven
I’m home
Fog rolls in

May 1 day 2.
Camped at Fred Canyon mile 32.0.
Misty morning climb
Spiderwebs bejeweled with dew drops
Rolling oak savanna
Illegal grow operations

May 2 day 3.
Camped at mile 52.7 Pioneer Mail Picnic Area.
20.7 miles today.
It was a beautiful cool shady morning. Oak and pine forest on the way to Mount Laguna and civilization. Bought a bit of food to resupply. Picked up a can of chicken which made for a great chicken noodle soup for lunch. Felt good and just kept on moving.