Start: mile 140 End: tentsite at mile 166 Miles covered: 26 (+2 miles round trip to the cafe) PCT mile marker: 140/2652 Highlight:  Ridge walk around Palm View Peak (above) and Jose burger for lunch at the Paradise Valley Cafe. Biggest challenge: Climbing up from Paradise Valley Cafe in the heat. But it was  nothing that … Continue reading Day 7 – 28 mi – PCT mile 166 →

Start: mile 115 End: tentsite at mile 140 Miles covered: 25 PCT mile marker: 140/2652 Highlight:  Imagining objects in rock shapes. (Above: Pac Man feeding on hiker trash. Below: choral singer and catcher’s mitt. Further below: a cistern.) Biggest challenge: Moving my tent at 10:30pm because a very loud snorer pitched right next to me. Earplugs … Continue reading Day 6 – 25 mi – PCT mile 140 →

Start: mile 91 End: tentsite at mile 115 Miles covered: 24 (+1 in town) PCT mile marker: 115/2652 Highlight:  Eagle Rock, just before Warner Springs. (Honorable mention: foot soak at the Warner Springs Resource Center. Se Biggest challenge: Sore feet.

Start: mile 63 End: tentsite at mile 91 Miles covered: 28 PCT mile marker: 91/2652 Highlight:  Beautiful desert flora Biggest challenge:  long, exposed, hot climb after Scissors Crossing... ...but it was all made better by wonderful trail angels Jodie and Melody, who were there with candy, cookies, chips, sodas, fruit, and veggies. They also had … Continue reading Day 4 – 28 mi – PCT mile 91 →

Start: Mount Laguna End: Tentsite at mile 63 Miles covered: 22 (+.5 in town) PCT mile marker: 63/2660 Highlight:  Expansive desert landscapes. Biggest challenge:  Not picking a fight with the jerks hitting golf balls into the canyon.  

Start: Lake Morena End: Mount Laguna Miles covered: 21 (+.5 in town) PCT mile marker: 41/2660 Highlight:  Waking up in my new Yama Mountain Gear tent.  (Honorable mention: First trail beer, at the Pine House Cafe.) Biggest challenge:  ~4500 feet of cumulative elevation gain.  

Start: Campo, CA End: Lake Morena Miles covered: 20 (+1 in town) PCT mile marker: 20/2660 Highlight:  Finally getting on the trail. (Honorable mention: chocolate malt at the Oak Shores Malt Shop.) Biggest challenge:  Climbing up from Houser Creek during the hottest part of the day.  It was about 95°.