Stats

Start: Tent site after Mount Laguna – Mile 45.4
End: Water Tank – Mile 68.4
Elevation Max: 5.950
Elevation Min: 3,747
Elevation Change: 2,221 up & 4,027 down
Average Heart Rate: 123
Walking Time: 7 hrs 2 minutes

The Walk

I didn’t sleep very well. The wind was blowing all night. The tent wall by my head constantly flapped in the wind. Also one tent state blew out of the sandy ground twice.

The first time I put a rock on top of the stake to brace. The second time at 2am I put a massive rock on top and after a quick google search I learned to push stake directly in instead of angled. It never moved again, and I learned a lesson. Big rocks are friends on windy nights!

I fell asleep around 11:30 and woke up every few hours until 5:45 when I gave up and packed up camp. Bodega and Steve were rustling around but not ready to head out. So I popped on my headlight and started walking. Excited to watch the world wake up around me.

I didn’t need to use the headlight for long. The sun was bright enough at 6:15. My body felt great. I was bouncing right back where I left off from Arizona. Low 20 mile days are a comfortable amount and give me some downtime at camp. I’d rather chat to some hikers than walk until dark.

The majority of people start the PCT at 10-15 mile days for the first few weeks. I considered slowing down to walk with the same people, but I decide to walk ahead and find out what the trail brings. I expect to meet a few people in the second hundred miles who are also moving at 20-25 mile days.

The early morning sun made its presence known. My warm skin was a sign of the warm day to come. The temp jumped about 15 degrees straight away. And I hiked 6 miles through a surprisingly green desert to the first water source.

The trail slowly climbed up a ridge to Kwaaymii Point, which looked over a mountain range. It was beautiful. All morning I was getting closer and closer. This was a perfect view. It was vast. On the climb I listened to a chapter on gratitude in Berne Brown’s book “Atlas of the Heart”. A fitting, tranquil moment.

I truly felt at peace and an aura of tranquility out there. I spoke several things that I was grateful for to no one in particular. And kept moving. The hike was exposed and hot but bearable. I hiked on to the next water source and was surprised by 30 people sitting in the sun.

I guess water attracts hikers in desert sections! One guy named Ducky was getting his hair cut. The girl who was cutting said it was her third hair cut on trail… and third in her life.

Ron and I planned to relax for a few hours to wait out the heat of the day and give our bodies a rest. But there was no shade at the water. We were absolutely frying in the sun. A few hikers tried to set up a tarp for shade, but it kept blowing over.

After filing up my water and downing a few handfuls of gardettos I headed back on trail. I wanted a shady spot to relax. The trail continued to wind around the mountains. I felt pretty good, but tired. 4 miles later we saw a hiker sitting along trail in a sliver of shade. We chatted and relaxed for a few hours. Waiting for the heat of the day to pass. I headed out to finish the 5.5 miles to the next water source and camp site.

My body felt the strongest I’ve been all trip. The miles flew by. I chatted with a few hikers as I passed and made it to camp at 5. I was starving so I found a rock to sit on and made dinner before setting up camp.

Kara, Ron, and another couple ended up camping in the same spot. It was a beautiful night with a great view. We all cowboy camped under the stars. It is my first night cowboy camping. I love looking up at the stars and feeling a cool desert breeze as the night grows still.

In 9 miles I’ll be in Julian, the first trail town. I didn’t plan ahead, but heard the RV park had $10 sites for hikers. Its only been 3 days, but I’m excited for laundry, a shower, and a few town meals. I should be in town by 10 or 11 depending how long the hitch takes.