Tag: Southern California
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Day 33 | Mile 478.2 – 498.2
The trail was very exposed in this section, and passed through a large burn area – where the poisonous Poodle Dog Bush likes to grow. I didn’t realize, but there was so much PDB that most other hikers were road walking around this section. Although, I was able to make it through without making contact…
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Day 32 | Mile 457.1 – 478.2
⇠Previous Day Next Day ⇢
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Day 31 | Mile 444.3 – 457.1
The trail was mostly exposed, with very little shade through this section. Thankfully, there was plenty of water, which many tadpoles were enjoying too! An eerie walk through a long concrete tunnel lead directly to Vasquez Rocks – the site where many films and TV shows have been made, including Star Trek. After a few…
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Day 30 | Mile 418.6 – 444.3
A long but incredibly beautiful hike for my one month trailiversary! The trail wound through scented evergreen forests before shrinking back into a desert landscape with minute floral surprises absolutely everywhere. I ran into (or should I say snuck up behind) fellow hiker Kathryn, tried out a potential trail name idea I had (“Sneak Attack”)…
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Day 28 | Mile 386.1 – 403
(excluding the trail closure) Another day of trail obstacles! During the first 4 miles I encountered snow – hard, icy, and sloped. It was after completing it, that I again learned that many other hikers were continuing to road walk around this section. I can see why! At one point, there was (what I determined…
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Day 27 | Mile 370.4 – 386.1
(via Hwy 2 bypass) Today, I was a smart hiker and road-walked on a parallel road versus “hiking” in a sketchy snow section. Highway 2 is closed for vehicle traffic due to the impassable snow and frequent rockfalls, so this road walk is apparently a “time-honored tradition” for early season PCTer’s who come through the…
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Day 26 | Mile 356.4 – 370.4
I knew that a few hikers were road walking around this section, but I didn’t realize that most seem to be. Today was an extremely challenging snow day. The slopes were incredibly steep, which made solid footing a necessity. Unfortunately, the snow started off so hard that it was difficult to kick steps into, and…
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Day 25 | Mile 341.9 – 356.4
underpass beneath I-15, then over railroad tracks, into a massive corrugated metal pipe, then over railroad tracks again. After that, the trail wound through the mystical sandstone Mormon Rocks. They were incredible, I couldn’t take but a few steps before pulling my camera out again! The day was absolutely magical, even though it involved climbing…
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Day 24 | Mile 329.8 – 341.9
The trail left the Silverwood Lake area, and wound its way down to I-15, one of the hottest stops on the PCT – the Cajon Pass McDonalds! We swapped stories with some familiar faces (Legend & Bee!) and met new hikers too. Easy, breezy, beautiful kind of day! ⇠Previous Day Next Day ⇢
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Day 23 | Mile 314.3 – 329.8
After holing up in the van for almost a week, I thought I was finally recovered from whichever bug is going around, but I ended up getting sick on trail today. Luckily, Tom was right there, able to scoop me up and take care of me. The trail was gentle, and wound around Silverwood Lake…