PCT days 1-8

Day 1: mile 0- 21, 21mi
I got a late start today because I undertook a very last minute project, moving down from an old vest to the quilt I took on trail. I think I’ll be glad I did it though. My dad’s dropped me off at the Mexico border/southern terminus at 1230 and I started walking after peeing on Trump’s wall. 3 miles in I crossed some railroad tracks and my timing was perfect. I saw a small single-person cart prerunning the tracks before a train came through. The afternoon was hot for a couple hours. Because of my late start I didn’t want to hide out in the shade so I hiked through the heat. I passed three hikers, much less than I expected, then came upon a group of 4 around dinner time. I ate my cold soaked beans with them then hiked another two hours to camp just beyond Lake Morena. I am sleeping under a manzanita tree (my favorite!) Next to a big ol’ oak. It’s going to be a cool evening but I don’t think it’ll get too chilly. Tomorrow I would like to get up early and take a mid-day break to rest my feet and avoid the hottest part of the day.


Day 2: mile 21-42, 21mi
I slept kind of cold last night and the bright moon kept me up. Unfortunately I was also close to some houses and heard the inhabitants and their dogs throughout the night. Nevertheless, I woke up rested around 5:20, packed up real fast and started hiking to warm up. The dawn broke beautifully while I hiked the meandering trail up and around some hills. Before too long I was at the trailhead for Kitchen Creek Falls, a popular day hike for many. I followed the twisting trail while it steadily climbed up above Kitchen Creek. Around 10am, I scrambled down to the Creek, got some water, and waded in to wash my feet and socks. I took a small break there before scrambling back to the trail. A constant breeze kept the heat off my back until the breeze dried down and I was hiking uphill in the unrelenting sun. I took another break under a big oak, are some cold soaked noodles, and then pushed on. In the last couple miles before Mt. Laguna big pines rose up and formed a shady canopy over the trail. I took another long break at the turn off for burnt rancheria campground before I walked in and found my dad and Josie who were meeting me up there for the night!


Day 3 mi 42-68 26mi
I started the day with a hearty breakfast, thanks Josie!! I found myself dawdling a bit before getting on trail. I finally got onto trail around 830 and promptly saw a rattlesnake eating a mouse! The first 7 miles of trail are excellent, meandering out of the tall Jeffrey pines and along the desert edge with expansive views east to the desert floor. I had the rest of last night’s burrito for lunch- what a treat! Then picked up some water for a long dry stretch. This trail is beautiful through here, paralleling the highway and tracing contours around the hillsides. Eventually the trail turned off the highway and began a long descent. This section was pretty as you could see the green hills from where you came and the craggy barren hills climbing out of the desert. I ate an early dinner of pearled couscous which cold soaked exceptionally well though it had been soaking for over 4 hours. I hiked on an hour and a half to a water spigot. The sun was setting and I was debating hiking on. Another hiker showed up and invited me back to where a few folks were camping. I hadn’t spoken to any other hikers since 10am and was happy to have the company. Plus, 26mi was a good distance for the day. I enjoyed chatting until hiker midnight when we all went to bed, about 8:30pm.

Day 4 May 26, 2021. Miles 68-101, 32mi
The day started off with a long meandering descent to the desert floor. I covered 9 miles in just over 3 hours to scissors crossing. While I was relaxing in the shade under the overpass I met Professor who took it upon himself to maintain the water cache down there. Nice guy, thanks Professor! I headed out around 11 and begun a long gradual winding climb along a south/southeast slope. This set the mood for most of the day. I stopped a few times in some shade and tried to stretch my legs and feet. I finished my first audio book while walking. I watched a lizard rustle in the bushes as I approached. I paused then he scampered out, launched himself off the side off the narrow trail 3 feet off and 12 feet down. There was an audible thud when he landed before taking off. I hope he’s alright. I carried a few liters to the 3rd gate water cache, rested there for a bit then continued on. I ate some really good ramen while walking that I soaked in an empty plastic container. It hit the spot. I ended up doing 32mi, maybe a little more than I should have but I didn’t want to stop early. I didn’t see a single hiker all day today, am I late for the crowd? Where is everybody?? A few people signed the logbook at the 3rd gate water cache for today but I never caught up to them.


Day 5 May 27, 2021 miles. 101-131 miles, 30mi
The day started off kind of chilly. I was a bit cold last night and I struggled to sleep well through the night. I slept in a bit and got a later start than normal, around 7am. I hiked the 9mi into Warner Springs in the morning. I enjoyed the cool start to the day and the open meadows. I mooned some cows that were grazing. The last couple miles into WS had a few streams and big oaks with lots of squirrels. This was the first flowing water I had seen in over 60 miles. I entered WS, got some water, washed my socks, then continued on. 6 or so miles in, after crossing a big meadow I met another hiker named Jerry. We hit it off and walked the 12mi together to Mike’s place. It was hot in the afternoon but good to be chatting with someone after a lonely last couple days. Mike wasn’t around at Mike’s place, a popular stop with hikers for water, shade, and sometimes shenanigans. Alive was in charge and she was running the show. Right away she’s offering beer to hikers, getting a headcount for dinner, and providing constant commentary on all sorts of things. She’s a hoot!! I sick around for about an hour before heading off in the cooler evening with Rodney. We did 4 miles to a decent campsite but pulled in late. Planning on town tomorrow so that’s exciting.


Day 6 May 28, 2021 mile 131-158.4, 27mi
Day started early walking before the sun was up. I cruised about 15mi. I met Amanda at Mary’s place and met Mary there too. Hot hiking out of there but hit the road just a bit after noon. Caught an easy hitch into Idylwild with Amanda and ate floor cookies from the car. Town was a blur but bought too much food. Ate delicious Mexican food and caught an easy hitch back to the trailhead. Amanda and I had great convo hiking out of town and probably hiking 30 tomorrow.

Day 7 May 29, 2021 mile 158.4-182.7 24.4 miles
Amanda and I got an early start and started hiking! I had a yogurt and salad for breakfast at a pretty view. Today the miles weren’t super high but the views were excellent and the terrain climbed and descended a bit! We also hung out a bit in shady spots. Overall it was pretty cool and a nice break from the desert. The trail climbed and meandered along the north to south ridge above Idylwild. Awesome views, some steep sections and lots of desert views! We are camping on an awesome outcropping looking south over Idylwild!

Day 8 May 30, 2021 mile 182.7-209.5, 27mi
Chilly night, some wind, but excellent views. Woke up and dozed for a bit longer. Started hiking and since we were in the San Jacinto wilderness saw a few other campers. We hiked along the ridge, enjoying the wind in the big trees. We saw a few day hikers and were able to drop some trash with them. We then started a long descent. We descended over 6000ft to the desert floor. A couple hours in we took a long siesta to avoid the heat of the day. We relaxed in some shade, snacked a bit, and then slept for a good 20-30min. Around 3pm we packed up and began descending to the desert floor. The descent was long and we saw two rattlesnakes within twenty minutes of each other. Both rattled and gave us a bit of a fright! We also saw a few other snakes on the descent. We finished the hike at a water spigot in the dark, hard headed not to turn on our headlights. We hung out with another hiker chatting then packed up and did the 4mi to the I-10 overpass. Along the way we saw a scorpion and some cool burrowing owls flying around us on the last push.

• 

• 

•