The Grand Adventure - Warner Springs, CA
Warner Springs, CA
Day 1: 15.5 miles to Hauser Creek
The Creek was dried up but a water cache was left in the valley. We learned that 11 other hikers started the same day we did. 14 more were expected the next day and 16 the next. Wow, this is definitely not the OHT. Today we met Two Foot, Chuck and Sally.
Day 2: 14 miles to Kitchen Creek
We met Nick today at Lake Morena (19.5). Today was the hottest thus far. Grant's watch clocked near 110* around 2:30pm. This heat is killer. We rejoiced at finding a pool of water at the creek. We set up camp and drank our fill of water. We met Amanda today who later named our group "The Fellowship". We accepted it with many a horrah!
Day 3: 9 miles to unknown hillside (39.5)
Another great campsite. This was another hot day. I've been dealing with muscle spasms and headaches. We are literally hiking from shade to shade during the heat of the day. Truly dangerous weather for a Northman.
Day 4: 7.5 miles to Laguna Campground (48)
Today we hit our first resupply. We picked up our food boxes from Mount Laguna Lodge. (The guy that owns this place was the rudest person I have encountered thus far.) We ate at the Pine House Cafe (Yes!) and happened on Amanda who told us her tale of starting with her father who sprained his ankle at mile 7 and had to pull out. She seemed ready to head home. We also hit up the outfitter and tweaked some small pieces of gear. We ran into Nicks fiancé who road tripped with him to the trail. We ended up staying at a car campground. I listened to nearby bass and choked on my neighbors campfires all night. I think they were burning giant pine cones which set ablaze the worst allergies I have ever had!
Day 5: 14 miles to the windy valley (62)
Today we met Nature and Legs. They were both nearly 60 years old and had hiked 5-10k miles in their day. They have hiked nearly every trail on my wish list including the Appalachian Trail (twice), The Long Trail, and the John Muir Trail. We filtered water from a horse trough and pressed on to a windy yet beautiful valley. We watched the sun set, and immediately the wind turned incredibly chill. I feel I have a slight fever, but I think it's from the altitude. This is probably the highest I have ever been. (Mount Laguna is 6,000 ft.) We descend a good 2,000 ft. tomorrow, so I am hoping for the best! Either way this trail is a dream. I can't believe I'm finally here. I'm ready to see real mountains! We saw our first snow capped peaks in the distance today. Yes!!
**Thanks for the comments everyone and a huge thanks for the heads up Jayston. I have been warned more than once now about that snake...**
Day 6: 12.5 miles to a tendril of an alluvial fan (fun!) (74.5)
We dropped a couple thousand feet today and into dry desert shrubbery again. It gave us a break from the wind but I long for another view of the snowy mountains. I'm finally kicking whatever illness I have had the past couple days. Last night I woke up covered in sweat with chills but I have felt better and better all day. I have spoken to a few people here on the trail, and they say it will take a couple weeks to get used to the new environment. I'm ready to feel strong again. I have felt like I was holding everyone back, but they have all insisted that a slow start is ok with them. Each day it sinks in more and more that I am finally hiking the pct. What a joyous thought. Life is like a dream out here. A painful one at times, but that pain is always rewarded with immense pleasure. Trail life is great. I don't think I have ever been so dirty in my life. If only Jen could see me now... Hah!
Day 7: 17 miles to the "Pipe Gate" water cache
Today was our longest mile day so far. To be honest, I am beat. My feet are blistered and bruised and I am ready for some sleep. I got my official trail name today. It is... Mr. Blister... Yes, you read correctly. Trail names are a part of trail life. You meet many new people out here and it is fun and effective to have something unique and special to call them by. Every new long distance hiker hopes to pick up a badass trail name. I laughed all day at my name. To be honest I like it. I'm laying in my sleeping bag laughing about it right now. Everyone I told my name too so far just laughed at me. What can I say, I'm a funny guy. I will list our trail names so far:
James: Red Man--James is roughly 1/3 Native American and he is currently red and ten shades tanner than the rest of us.
Grant: Grande--Grant is the tallest in our group, has the largest pack, and the biggest tent.
Nick: Cactuar--On day one Nick had more than one hilarious run-in with cacti. This seemed to trend throughout the trip. Not to mention Cactuar is a legendary monster from nearly every Final Fantasy game.
Craig: Mr. Blister--The name speaks for itself. Grant was actually the one to name me which makes it 100x more special to me. We literally laughed for five minutes straight when he called me that.
We are waking up in a couple hours though to see the lunar eclipse, so this is where my day ends. How awesome that will be out here! Also my chills and fever are completely gone (hooray!).
Day 8: 12 miles to an open meadow (103.5)
Today we passed mile 100!! Woo! We have gotten pretty good at crunching 10 miles by noon. Around then, we take off for the heat of the day; we start up again around 4pm and hike until we find water or a sweet campsite. Today was one of those sweet campsite days. I'll post some more pics when I get better signal.
Today I met an awesome hiker. He was at least 70 years old. He was a slightly hunched, white bearded old man. He went by the name Santa's Helper! He had a heart attack in 95', a triple bypass sometime later.. And he is out here doing 17 mile days! I was truly inspired. Anyone that ever feels like they are too old to do something or too busy to follow their dreams needs to look no further than this intrepid old hero. I am actually going to challenge anyone following me on my journey to better themselves in someway. Be it in fitness or meditation or just personal well being. You could even take our mileage into account in some way. Say we hike 17 miles one day, why not walk 1.7 miles on the tread mill or take a 17 minute walk. Strive for what makes you happy. Life is too short to not follow your dreams.