April 13, 2006 I had difficulty sleeping the night before I left. Had to be up by 3:00 for the drive to Orlando Airport. Couldn't get my hiking poles in my backpack. The airline wrapped everything in plastic wrap and tagged it. Backpack arrived in good shape. Caught the bus and trolley to Le Mesa. Met a hiker from Belgium on the bus, he plans to start his hike today. I Decided to get a room at the Ramada Inn and get some sleep before going on to Campo. Got some food and brought it back to the room, I fell asleep while eating. This was about 5:30(pst).
April 14, 2006 I woke up about 7:00, it was raining. Caught the bus to Campo about 9:00 and arrived about 11:00. Still raining. Hiked the .3 miles to the border, took some pictures and started my hike about 12:00. Rained all day, temp in the high 40 to low 50 with a wind about 35 miles per hr. Decided to stop about 6:00, it was so cold I could not feel my hands. Decided on a campsite off the trail in a ravine. Was surprised to find the hiker from Belgium and another one from Colorado already camped. Seemed the cold rain had made them decided to stop at noon. I had hiked with rain gear but it caused me to sweat and my clothes were wet. Got into my long johns and dawn coat before cooking dinner. Had my chicken and stove top dressing, sure tasted good! Took about an hour to warm up.
April 15, 2006 Woke up this morning to heavy fog. Tent wet and sleeping bag damp. Had to wear my other pants, yesterdays were still wet. I had a steep climb this morning, up to about 4000 ft now. Plenty of water in small streams. Sun come out about 11:00. Stopped for about an hour and a half to dry my tent and sleeping bag. Crossed Hwy 8 today. Will camp tonight about 5 miles past Hwy 8. Hope to make it into the town of Mt Laguna. Good hike today!
April 16, 2006 Crossed Hwy 8 yesterday under the bridge . The trail followed the stream the rest of the day. Only carried about 1.5 liters of water. A few weeks from now all this area will be without water. I camped beside the stream I had been following. Hairman (not sure of spelling) the man from Belgium and Ryan the man from Colorado was there. Beautiful day today. Sunny and about 63. Morning terrain was mountains with just scrub. Last two hours of hike was in mountains about 6,500ft and pines. Nice change. Met a woman on the trail, think her name was Tracy. Arrived in Mt Laguna about 3:30, not much of a town. There was an old motel with a store attached and a restaurant across the street and not much else. The restaurant was closed because of Easter. The motel and store closed at 4:00. Had time to get a room and bought some hot dogs to cook in the microwave later. Found I had a hole in my new socks. Too much sand and rocks getting inside of shoes. No blisters so far. My sleeping pad keeps loosing air, checked it in the bath tub and found it had multiple holes on the top side. Called home and ask to have my old pad shipped. Can use it until I find an outfitters store. Looking forward to a shower and a bed.
April 17, 2006 When checking my backpack last night I found that I had left my ice axe at our camp site the night before. Will get it when I go back for trail days if still there. My two companions decided to spend another day at Mt Laguna. I waited until 11:00 to leave as there was a heavy fog ( maybe low clouds). About half hour later the sun was out with a strong wind. A little like walking in a hurricane. The mountains are really beautiful. I am able to see the trees on one side and way down below the desert. Enjoying the walk and not paying attention, I ended up about half mile off on a side trail. The walk back was all uphill. The last know water for 28 miles is a horse trough. Decided to take 3 liters and hope the little creek ahead has some water, if not I will have enough if I am careful. Plan to walk another two miles. today. Will be dropping down to about 5000ft. Hope to have less wind
April 18, 2006 Walked another 5 miles after yesterdays entry. There was water in the little creek and I spent the night there. Back to desert like terrain today, everything pokes or sticks. In the afternoon entered an area that had been burned. Appeared to have burned about 2 years ago. Hiked a bit over 20 miles today. Almost out of water. Undecided to drink or save. Saw a water cache beside the trail just before reaching the road. Inside were gallon jugs of water and cokes etc. The people that do this for hikers are really appreciated. Reached the road into Julian about 5:30. Not many cars. 12 miles to Julian. Too far to hike after a 20 mile day. Took about 40 min to get a ride into town. A couple from Orange County gave me a ride to my hotel in Julian (Julian Gold Rush Bed & Breakfast). Very nice but my room is about 9 x 9 but has a bath and bed and that is the things of greatest importance. I will probable stay tomorrow night as my pad is not expected to arrive until 4:30 tomorrow. Time for a hot shower and some real food. When I was walking through the valley prior to reaching Julian, I saw the biggest rabbits I have ever seen. Not just a few, but dozens. They were every where across the entire valley. I tried to get a picture of them but they moved to fast. I saw four windmills with small mobile homes nearby. There were piles of dirt outside of the homes. When I got to Julian I learned these were active gold mines. I suppose people still are hoping to strike it rich
April 19, 2006 Had a great sleep. The breakfast was really good, home made granola, eggs benedict, and fresh fruit. Shared breakfast with a young couple up for a few days. The hotel owner was kind enough to allow me to do laundry in their machines. Wore my rain gear so that everything got washed. Dressed in clean cloths and went out to see the town. My mother had told me about Julian. The family lived in San Diego for 8 years. When it snowed they would bring up the sled and play in the snow. She also said they had great apple pies. I don't think the town has changed much. You can see from one end to the other. Had lunch at Buffalo Bills, had a buffalo burger. Stopped at a wine shop and did a little tasting. Went back to the hotel for Tea Time. Visited with other people staying there. My sleeping pad has arrived. Went to a small Italian restaurant for dinner. Had the best pork chop ever. Pork chop with marsala sauce. Back to the trail tomorrow.
April 20, 2006 Got a ride from Julian with a couple I had breakfast at the hotel with. Met 2 new guys today, Tod & Bams. Happy to find the two people I left at Mt laguna. Hiked until about 7:00. Decided not to camp with the others.
April 21, 2006 Stopped at Barrow Springs for lunch. After leaving the trail went by some of the most beautiful scenery so far. Fields of green with flowers everywhere. No problem finding water. Reached Warner Springs. Really a large resort with golf course, hot springs, restaurant, and cabins. Six hikers shared a cabin, 5 guys and 1 women. Felt good to soak in the hot springs. Buffet dinner. Good but cost $17.
April 22, 2006 Others decided to have a down day. I left about 11:00 and walked 12 miles. All the streams have water. Up about 5000 ft, temp is 29. Starting to snow.
April 23, 2006 Woke up to a white world. Stayed in my tent until it stopped snowing , about 9:00. Feet wet and cold most of the day. These shoes are not good for snow. Saw no other hikers today. Camped beside a very small stream, it was only a trickle. You could see where it had been much larger only a short time ago. I'm sure it will be dry soon. Will be at Hwy 74 around noon tomorrow.
April 24, 2006 Walked to Hwy 74. Could see the San Jacinto Mountains ahead. Elevation over 10,000. Snow looked deep. Decided to hike into Idyllwild and buy some boots. Talked to the people at the outfitters store. They said the trail markers were four feet high and the snow would have them covered. Got a room for the night and met a hiker on his third hike on the PCT. He and one other hiker had started the hike across the mountains. After 15 miles the other guy had turned back, this guy had continued. After crossing he decided to take a night off and hiked into Idyllwild, he said snow was really deep. Bought a pair of boots. Will decided tomorrow if I want to try crossing or wait until after the kick-off which is on the 27-28. Plan to go back for the kick-off and try to find my ice axe.
April 25, 2006 Decided to wait until after the kick-off to continue with hike. I had planned to rent a car in Palm Springs and go back for the kick-off. Not time to reach Palm Springs. I can rent a car in Hemet. Found a guy that will give me a ride. He works near Hemet. Need to meet him at 5:30 in the morning. Ryan and Bams are here at the hotel. They decided to go back with me to the kick-off. We will hike together across the mountain with the deep snow. This will be my first hike in deep snow. They are suppose to show how to use our ice axe at the kick-off. Hope I can find the ice axe that I left behind.
April 26, 2006 Got up at 4:30 to catch my ride at 5:30 to pick up a car in Hemet. Waited until 6:30. The ride didn't show. Decided to see if I could hitch a ride. Took about 15 min. A teacher picked me up on his way to school. Had to let me off about 3 miles from the rental agency. Only a few min until someone else picked me up. Rented a 4 seat pickup. Can take 4-5 people and packs to kick-off
April 27, 2006 Took a drive up to the snow line to see what it looked like. Talked to a ranger. He said the snow was deep but should be able to cross. Gave 3 hikers a ride back to kick-off. They will help pay for car rental. Stopped and tried to find my ice axe. Not there.
April 28, 2006 Over a 100 people here. Just one big party. I did learn that the snow is deep this year but not as deep as last year. Learned how to use an ice axe. (Just need to get another one.) Had about an hour visit with Yogi (I hiked with her in 1999), she is now the expert on the PCT. Hiked it 3 time and wrote the book on how too. I am glad that I have only one more day before going back on the trail. Too much time off.
April 29-30, 2006 Kick-off: Between 400 & 500 people attended. Some just to party, some to learn about the trail from people who had hiked it. This meeting is sponsored by the PCT people. They fed us breakfast and dinner for two days. I watched films that told me about the trail and talked to hikers from previous years. Good to know the snow is not as deep as last year. About 60 people left for the trail on Sunday. I dropped 4 people where they had left the trail. They will camp and begin their hike tomorrow. I went back to Idyllwild to spend the night. Met a young man that had attempted to cross the mountain. Missed the trail and was lost for two days. Someone come by and showed him the trail and he had hiked out. Said he had enough and was quitting. Looking forward to getting back to the trail tomorrow. Will get a bath and wash cloths.
May 1-4, 2006 Rough 4 days. People at the car rental took me to trail. Was noon by this time. Hiked only 7mi. Hot, pack heavy with food, water and shoes. Now wearing boots. Either the water or shoes had to go. Left shoes behind. Hope these new boots don't make too many blisters. Not feeling well so stopped early. Don't think I drank enough water. Next day started climb up to 8,500ft. 17.5 miles all up hill. Very tired. Bam and I have been hiking more or less together. He stopped but I kept going looking for water and a flat place to put tent. Next day hiked 1/2 mile and hit snow. Hiked only 12 miles all day. People ahead had made trails. Kept following wrong trail and having to go back and look for the trail. Camped at 8,500 ft with wind howling all night. Thursday we left the snow at about 7,000 ft. Downhill all day. Downhill is harder on legs than uphill. Hiked 19.5 miles. Decided to hitch into Palm Springs. It was late and no cars. Too tired to go on. Bam and I decided to call a cab. Very tired, dirty, and hungry.
May 5, 2006 Took a cab back to trail. Hiked 12 miles. Stopped early because of a creek. I like to camp where there is water to wash up and cook dinner. It takes a long time to pump enough water through the filter for the next day. Need 3 to 4 liters to start. Some days there is no water for 19-20 miles. Temp is about 45 at night and 75 during the day. At 75 you get really sweaty and when you stop it only takes only a few min to get chilled if you are in the shade.
May 6, 2006 Hiking through the San Gorgonio Mt. Elevation 3,000. Crossed the creek about 20 times today. Largest creek or river so far. Can jump it in most places. Had my first encounter with a rattle snake. Walking along the path when I heard this rattle almost beside me. I found out just how fast I could move with a full pack. Hiked 17 miles, had planned to hike 20 but found a nice camp site beside a stream.
May 7, 2006 Hiking at about 8,000 ft now. Lost the trail again. Hiked for almost an hour and had to hike back and start over. Trail not marked as well as AT. Problem is there are too many trails and it is easy to get on the wrong one. At this height there are huge trees. I am not sure what kind they are. It is really beautiful. Another rattle snake today. Bam was ahead and me behind. Only see them when we are below 7000 ft. When we drop down it has fewer trees. There was water for the first 4 miles and after that no water for 16 miles. It was a 20 mile day and three big blisters, covered them with duct tape. Bam was about 2 hrs later making camp. Great weather 70's days 40's nights.
May 8, 2006 Hiked 11 miles to Hwy 18. There were 4 hikers waiting for a ride into Big Bear. We got a ride with tree removable people. Took us into Big Bear Lake, then we got a bus into Big Bear. Had to walk about a mile to Motel 6 which has two beds per room and a washer and dryer on site. By sharing a room it cost a lot less when we are in town. Ordered in Chinese food to eat while doing laundry. Will pick up shoes at post office and ship boots ahead. Won't need boots until I reach snow again. Plan to take a down day tomorrow and rest.
May 9, 2006 Feels good to sleep in, and in a real bed. Had to take the bus into town or walk 1.5 miles to the post office. No walking today. Had to pick up my shoes at the post office. Need a change from these boots. Shipped my boots home, won't need them until middle of June or later. Found a library and decided to check my web site, John Roy has done a really great job writing and maintaining it. Went shopping for supplies before I ate. Hope it will all fit in my food bag . Bought a roast chicken for dinner and ate the whole thing. Meat sure taste good after all those dried noodles.
May 10, 2006 There are five hikers staying at the motel. We discovered that we could hire this van to take all of us back to the trail for about $3 each. Everyone had things to but me. I bought my supplies yesterday so went to breakfast. Went back to the room and had a nap while waiting for the others. We arrived at the trail about noon. Trail seems to be leveling out a little. Not so many steep grades. Hiked 10 miles. Camped with the 5 from the motel in addition to two new people from Germany .
May 11, 2006 Still have over a mile to go before I stop for the night. This will be a 23 mile day, trail is still good. Few steep climbs and down hills. Most of the afternoon has been through burned out area. Not this years burn but perhaps a couple of years old. Blisters feel much better with shoes instead of boots. Pack is heavy with all the food I bought yesterday. Weather is nice. Looks as if all 8 of us will be camping together again tonight.
May 12, 2006 Started hiking at 6:30 and hiked until 11:30 following high above a creek that was about 250 feet below. At 11:30 I found some hot springs, took shoes off and soaked and swam in water for about 3 hrs. Bams, Andy, and Crispy (a man) and Janitor (a woman) made it to springs. They wanted to stay but I was ready to move on after 3 hrs. Hiked until 10:30. Was a 28 mile day. At about 2:30 I heard the others going by. Was a full moon and they decided to hike and sleep during the day. I was off the trail far enough they could`couldn't see me. Gave them a scare by making an animal noise. They decided to hike a few more miles.
May 13, 2006 Had a hard time getting back to sleep. Kept laughing at Bams, Crispy, and Janitors reaction to my scaring them. They kept walking to a park about 2 miles past my camp site. Feet sore today with blisters as large as 2 quarters. Couldn't get any speed today, only about 2 mph. Reached Hwy 15. There is a McDonalds, gas station, and Best Western Motel. Had 3 burgers, fries and many Cokes. Decided to get a room and rest my feet. Was suprised to see that Crispy and Janitor were already there. Knew they had not passed me. Crispys shoes and feet were torn up from the 30 mile hike at night. They had got a ride from the park were they had camped. Is awaiting shoe shipment before going back to the park and starting the hike again. The rocks here are sharp and dig into your shoes and cloths. Have holes in the seat of my pants. Can order smaller size as these are getting to big.
May 14, 2006 Bams came into motel about 8:00 last night. I left everyone at the motel. Had lunch at McDonalds before starting out. It is about 20 miles into Wrightwood where I will need to buy supplies. Because of the blisters I have decided to do it in two days instead of one. I will need to hike the 4.5 miles off the trail to Wrightwood. Angel Crest Hwy washed out and will not be repaired for sometime. No cars, so no rides. Just had a hiker pass me. Someone I haven't seen before. Hot today, almost 90. I seem to be able to hike in the heat with less problems than the others, must be because I grew up in Florida.
May 15, 2006 I carried 5 liters of water up this 8,500ft mountain yesterday. Not any water until Wrightwood. Only place I could find to camp last night was in the middle of the trail. I can see the snow on the next mountain range. Started hiking about 6:00. Only about 9 miles to go today, nice cool day. Reached town about 11:00. Not feeling well, headache and upset stomach.
May 16, 2006 Stayed with the Lopez's. They let hikers stay for free in their game room. Pool table, and several couches. Was not well most of the night but feeling better today. Washed my cloths, bought food supplies, and repacked my backpack. 3 other hikers staying here. To those who ask if the trail is safe, Yes much more so than in most towns.
May 17, 2006 Mrs. Lopez gave me a ride back to the trail. Started hiking about 11:00. Should be plenty of water for the next few days. Steep climb today through snow. Climbed over 3,000ft in the first 4 miles. Summit is 9,200. This old Florida boy can really feel the altitude. Need to stop often and suck air. Just before reaching the top it started to thunder, lightening and rain. Lasted about 2hrs. I could see the rain for miles across the desert. Near the top of the mountain was an unusually looking tree. There was a sign that said it was 1,500 years old. Took a picture. I am camping at Little Jimmy Camp Site near Little Jimmy Springs. Beautiful camp ground with fireplaces, tables, and non flushing toilets. Camping at 7,500ft temp 56 and falling. Today is 384 miles.
May 18, 2006 Had to detour from the trail today because it was mating season for the yellow legged frog. Had a big sign on the trail with information on the detour. Hiked 28.4 miles today. 6 miles back a lady in an RV gave me two cans of cola. I think her trail name was Oakey, she hiked the trail in 1993. Met a hiker from Alaska by the name of Whitey, he hiked the AP last year. Camping at Ridge Top Vista. Can see the desert in one direction and snow caped mountains in the other. Dropped down to 6,600ft, will continue to drop for the next two days. Nice day in the 70's.
May 19, 2006 Hiked 28 miles yesterday and 24 today. Feet hurting. Met 3 more hikers today, 5 of us camping in a campground. They told me about an older couple hiking and the man fell and was killed. This happened along the river with the high banks ( 250-300 ft ). The wife was hiking ahead, when he didn't show up in camp, she went looking for him and found him at the bottom of the cliff. A loose rock or a mis-step can cause problems. About 18 miles into Agua Dulce. Pick up new maps and supplies.
May 20, 2006 This morning about 2:00 a car of young people woke me. They were making a fire and cooking hot dogs. Couldn't sleep so I joined them and had a hot dog. Started hiking about 6:00. The others had left about 15 min earlier. Nice sunny day but could see the clouds below. About 3 hrs into the hike I descended into the clouds. Was wrapped in cold moist clouds, no sun, until about an hour before arriving in Agua Dulce. Very small town with a modern grocery and deli. There was a hitching post out front with 3 horses tied. Was surprised to see Hairman (the guy from Belgium) sitting at an outside table having lunch. Spent about 4hrs eating and talking with him. Was surprised to be only a day behind him. He didn't go back for the kick-off. There are about 22 hikers in town. We are all staying at the Saufleys. They put us all up in tents, trailers etc for free. Great people.
May 21, 2006 On the way into town I saw this mule and dog at a camp site. When I got into town there was this old man with cowboy hat, boots etc with another mule. He was riding one mule and using the other one to pack his supplies. He was charging people $20 to have a picture made of him and his mule with them. He made about $60. Janitor and Crisper come in about 12:00 today, they told me to read the bulletin board. There was a note that an ice axe had been found and mailed to the Saufleys. It was the ice axe that I left behind at Kitchen Creek. The Saufleys had all 22 of us put our dirty clothes in a basket with our name. They gave us clean sweats and flip flops to wear while we are here. They washed all our clothes and returned them to us. Makes you believe in the goodness of mankind. Some of us bought stakes and potatoes and come back and grilled them for dinner. Has been cloudy and cold all day. Hope it last for the next week as I will be hiking in the arid foothills of the Mojave Desert. Back on the trail tomorrow.
May 22, 2006 Woke up to a cold rain this morning. It didn't stop until middle of the afternoon. Had a 24 mile hike to reach water. Decided to wait until morning. There were about 30 people at the site. Someone offered $200 to any one that could drink a gallon of milk in an hour. A girl from Germany and I decided we could do that. I made it to within a pint and knew I could not drink any more. The girl from Germany was within a cup when she lost it. It seems milk is slow to digest. Janitor, Crispy, Bams and I have decided to team for the next section of the hike. We will not walk together but will meet in the evening. If one doesn't show someone will go looking for them. We will be depending on caches of water put there by volunteers.
MAY 23, 2006 Decided to have a good breakfast before getting on the trail. Bams, Janitor, Crispy and I walked down the road looking for the trail. After about an hour we decided we had missed the trail. An hour walk back and finally located the trail. Bams, and others decided that it was too late to start hiking and returned to the Saufleys. I had enough down time and decided to continue. In the early evening I found the man with the mules and two other hikers camped. The area was infested with ticks so decided to keep walking. No good camp site until 9:00. A long day.
May 24, 2005 In the middle of the night a noise woke me. All I could see was two large shiny eyes looking at me. I think it was a large cat of some kind. My tent didn't give me too much comfort. I stayed still until it finally went away. When I picked up my pack this morning the frame broke. New pack with less then 500 miles. Called parents to send old pack from the AT hike. Will be Saturday before I reach a town where I can pick it up. Will have to make do until then. With all the rain there are creeks full of water. They are suppose to be dry. Not as hot as it is suppose to be. Low 80's so far. Some hikers are taking the middle of the day off and hiking in the evening. I prefer to keep hiking. I can see the snakes in daytime. The nights are cool and better sleeping.
May 25, 2006 Spent last night in Lake Hughes. Not much there except the old hotel where I stayed. It is called the Rock Hotel. Built in the 1920's. Bar and restaurant on ground floor with 2 floors above with rooms. Only one bath at the end of the hall. No desk to registered. Just give the money to the bartender. Decided to walk the old trail along the aqueduct instead of the new trail. Was told it was fenced off. Spent most of the day trying to get information. It is 26 miles shorter and with a broken back pack this was important. Finally in the afternoon found that there was access. Too late to start hiking today.
May 26, 2006 Got an early start. The trail was flat and I made good time. Pack not too uncomfortable. Completed the hike along the aqueduct and rejoined the new trail. Stopped for dinner early were there was water for cooking and cleaning up. Will need to do a dry camp tonight. Wind was gusting up to 50mph today. Saw a large brown cloud over the ridge. Not sure if it was a dust storm or a fire. Up about 1,000ft tonight. Some fir, and Joshua trees. Found some flat ground behind the trees, away from most of the wind. Should reach Mojave tomorrow. Hope the post office is open so I can mail my old pack back. The company will replace it when I mail the broken one to them. The parents UPS my old pack to the motel. Will hike with it for awhile. It is larger than my new one. I have some long stretches ahead that will require me to carry at least a 10 day supply of food. No towns and no way to get supplies.
May 27, 2006 The wind blew all night, whipping my tent and keeping me awake. I set the alarm to wake me at 4:30. At 4:30 went to pee and back to bed. It was 32 and I was tired and cold. Had breakfast and started walking about 7:00. Hiked about 10 miles to the road into Mojave. It was still cold and the wind blowing. I was surprised to see no hikers at the road. 2 hikers had passed me. They must have gotten a ride into town. I was freezing and no one stopped for about 1.5 hrs. Finally a guy with 2 kids stopped. He said he knew how it felt to be cold. In the winter his car broke down in this same area and no one had given him a ride. He said at the time his car broke down he had just got out of jail. After this information I was happy to see the other two hikers walking. They had 3 rides. Each one taking them only a few miles. It was 12 miles from the trail into town. My ride drove all of us into town. Not a very attractive town. One side of the road has several railroad tracts. The other side has the town. About 2 blocks deep and two miles long. My old pack was waiting for me. Shipping the new one back to the manufacturer.
May 28, 2006 Hiking the 10 mile, hitching into town, transferring everything to the pack my parents had mailed, taking the broken pack to the post office to ship to the manufacturers, took most of the day. Today I will need to shop for food supplies for 6 days and do laundry. With one suit of clothes for hiking and one for sleeping, laundry is important when you get to town. Had an upset stomach today. Took some Imodium and feel some better. Not sure if it is from eating so much meat after a meatless diet when hiking or if it was the water. I pump my water through a filtering system but you never can be sure everything is removed. Pumping 4-5 liters of water a day is a time consuming process. The next 3 day are suppose to be 20+ miles between water. I am not sure how often I will be able to update my journal. Maybe for the next 6 days. After I leave hear there will be no more towns or motels for about 300 miles. Supplies will be shipped by parents to campgrounds. Some stretches will be 190 miles between campgrounds requiring 10 days of food. A big increase in weight. Elevation will be 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Hard walking for a flat lander. Snow can be very deep and streams can be torrents.
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