Elevation: 4205 ft (highest camp yet, just below the highest elevation yet)
Mileage: 32.4 miles from the border
After slowly packing up our gear this morning we left around 10 am. It was a well needed late start, but our bodies felt the hurt a little later. Late in the day while we wer cresting a hill at 3 pm, the sun beat down on us, making me even more red.
Anyway today we did roughly 13 miles. The first six was a slow gradual incline through dense chapperel and sage. After the slow steady incline there was a drop into Boulder Oaks Campground where we sat down and had lunch.
Shortly after our arrival at Boulder Oaks, Dave and Jessica arrived and the five of us had lunch together. I threw out my sleeping pad and chowed on some food, while a plethora of ants crawled over my feet occassionally biting my toes.
Fed and rested I put my liners, socks, shoes, and gaiters on and continued on. About a mile down the path we came to our first stream ford. Not wanting to kick off my shoes I went across as quick as i could. My feet stayed dry, but since Jon and Debi were taking their shoes off I decided to take my shoes off and soak them in the cold running water.
From there we passed through a long plain of knee high grass and did another stream ford, before we started a long gradual incline until we peaked out our elevation around 4300 ft and had a clear view all the way to Mexico. I was shocked to see the distance I had hiked today let alone over two days.
We descended down into camp and set up our tents, cooked cous cous for dinner and then set up a campfire. Now we sit a camp laughing giggling and whining.
Tonight we camp again with Dave and Jessica. We also picked up a Section Hiker named Troy who leapfrogged with us over the last seven miles.
Tomorrow we set out early to avoid the heat. We are planning on hiking most the way to Mt. Laguna
May 1st
Early afternoon
Elevation: 5920 ft
Trail Miles - 43 mi
Up and out of camp at 7:30 we gradually climbed up into the higher areas where the chapparal has been replaced by large trees and the sage has been replaced by small shrubs and grass.
While hiking we came to a view south where we could see how far we had hiked in the last two days. It was quite impressive to look as far as the eye could see over hills and valleys and realize that I had traversed that much with 35 pounds on my back. Its frightening to think that I've got to cover this mileage nearly 70 more times, through all sorts of weather and elevation changes, to finish.
After the gradual ascent up the hill we rolled into some of nicest parts of the trail that i have seen. With pine needle encrusted trailway, tall pine trees to the sides, and small lavender flowers kissing the trail the last 4 miles of todays hike was wonderful.
As the five of us pulled into camp, we were delighted to find a drinking fountain, an outhouse and wonderful places to walk barefoot (my favorite part of the day...walking with no shoes on). Though I do believe I saw a scorpion, so walking barefoot...ehh not so good. I'll just watch my step.
Now as the other four wander down to town to get cheeseburgers, pizza, and beer; I lay under the pines with the wind cooling my body and the sun warming my body. I look up at the sun with my hat protecting my eyes, and see the largest Sunbow I have ever seen. Radiating out from the sun through red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.
While lost in the moment of silence I hear a hello and sit up to see a new thru-hiker, Thomas. He chats with me for a bit and I quickly learn how fast he's moving. Thirty miles yesterday from the border and another 12 so far today. He tells me that he's meeting someone at I-10 on saturday. We figure that to be about thirty miles a day all week. He decides that he will hike less and give his friends a call to meet later or at a different spot. He hiked the PCT from Tahoe to Canada last year. This year he plans on hiking the whole trail. I wish him luck and happy trails as he wanders off with thoughts of stuffing his face when he gets into town. So I don my hat and lay back down in the sun.
Tomorrow we wander into town to check the post office. Hopefully our packages have arrived. Since the PO does not open till noon, it will be another short mileage day tomorrow, granted the trail is mostly flat so depending on how fast we are in town we might be able to crank out a decent 12-15 miles.
Debi and Jon came back from the store where several hikers are hanging out. They will probably come and join up with us tonight and camp with us. Troy came back up and just a little bit Tiana "Teapot" from Boulder Colorado rolled in. She is solo hiking the trail from the border until as far as she can get by June 10th.
May 1st - Evening
After camp was all set and dinner was eaten Debi, Jessica, Dave, "Teapot" and I wandered up to a nearby peak to look out over the sweeping mountains winding northward through the desert. "Teapot" and I lingered up there as the sun was setting. We chatted about what we left behind to go hike and why we wanted to hike and other similar trail chat. She, like Dave and Jessica, has also hiked all the Appalachian Trail (AT). After stairing northward for a bit longer the wind decided to kick us off the hill and we wandered to our warm sleepin bags.
Happy Trails, Inner Peace, & Harmony
Look at all those hills, and thats only a days hike.
So barren, yet so full of life.
Laying down after a third full days hike.
Post Dinner Oral Hygeine. (Jess, Dave, "T-Pot")
Debi, "T-Pot," Jess, and Dave take in a fantastic view North.