Week One

Day 1

9 miles

The bus from El Cajon dropped us off around 1:30 and we walked the first mile of the trail southbound to get to the terminus. Took some pictures and then started at 2:15, met Legend, Brian(?), and Mush at “PCT basecamp” down hill from the monument. Stopped for some food at 4:15, dinner in camp at 7:15, in tent at 8:15.

Day 2:

11 miles

Up at 7, slack-packed half a mile to a small pond for water, walked half mile back to tent, broke camp, started around 8:15. Stopped for lunch at 12:15 beside Houser Creek, started climb at 1:40, trail magic (mmm, ice cold natty light) from Magic Man around 4? at Lake Morena. Set up tent in the designated PCT area, walked up the road to the malt shop for food and a beer and then walked back to camp to eat. Talked with a dude from Missouri, hobo shower in the campground bathroom sink, then bed at 8:30 with light rain.

Day 3:

13 miles

Rained most of the night, woke up at 6:30(?), laid in tent for awhile, slow tear down, walking at 9:15, lunch at 11:45 with Mush at Boulder Oak CG, walking again at 1, Cibbets Flat CG at 4:45(?), ate dinner then got in tent. Figured out how many days of food we would need before our resupply in Julian. Mt Laguna tomorrow. Planning on 3 days to Julian and maybe neroing.

Day 4:

13 miles

Another slow start, which made the 9 miles to Mt. Laguna very hot. Left at 9:30, lunch at 2?. Hit the general store for extra food to get to Julian and some Gatorade, filled water at Burnt Rancheria CG, back on trail around 4. To camp site around 6. Bed at 9:30. Planning to push a 20 tomorrow so we can get to Julian a day early and take a zero. Will decide at lunch if we still want to make the push. Water carries becoming tricky. Hoping to start earlier tomorrow to avoid some of the heat and get the miles in.

Day 5:

22 miles

Started at 7:15. Did 6 miles to our water source while the temperature was still cool in the morning, then another 5 to lunch in the sparse shade of a bush next to a dry streambed. The next 9 miles were fine, but energy waned toward the end as we approached our target campsite. There were already hikers here and the only remaining spots available were garbage, so we pressed on. We went another 2.4 where we were the first ones to a sweet campsite. We picked the flattest, softest, most wind-protected spot. Not ten minutes later another hiker shows up (James, with the ice axe) and asks to cowboy camp next to us. In bed before it was even dark. Oof, 22.4, our first official 20+ mile day. This leaves us a 2.2 mile detour for water tomorrow, then 10 miles to highway 78 to pick up a hitch into Julian. We’re looking to zero Monday to avoid a storm and let our feet heal.

Day 6:

10 miles

Tore down camp, walked down to get water, and then started hiking around 8. Made it to the road around noon. Magic Man was there with more trail magic, what a great guy. The second car that passed picked us up, so only about 10 seconds with our thumbs out to get a hitch. Our affable driver, Juan, dropped off us off in Julian where we hobbled over to the B&B. Couldn’t check in yet, so we dropped our bags and went to Julian Beer Company for lunch and a few rounds. Grabbed snacks and ran into Tuna and James (ice axe dude) who had just bought a tent. Went to the B&B, ordered pizza for dinner from Romano’s, which was just across the parking lot. Started washing our clothes with the provided bucket and cup of detergent. Ate til we were full and then crashed hard.