This hike was a gorgeous one out on the PCT. The spring flowers were in full bloom and I got alot of good pictures. Not sure of the names of plants or flowers- I guess I should start learning that. I was in the back of the pack as usual, much slower than everyone else- lolligagging, taking pictures and enjoying the scenery. I made it to Boulder Oaks in about 3 hours. We camped all in one camping spot so I pitched my little one person tent and busted out my beef stew. Delicious! We sat around and chatted for a bit and then I needed some alone time so I said good night and bundled down into my sleeping bag to read my kindle. I had a couple of dreams so I know I must have slept but it wasn't a good sleep. We were by the road and I could hear the traffic all night.
Next morning I made my decaf coffee and ate beef jerky and trail mix. We were ready to start walking by 7:30 so off we went. The hike from Boulder Oaks to Cibbets Flat was HARD. It was mostly uphill so I took frequent breaks. By myself, as usual, which is just fine. I passed 4 people on this section that thought I was a thru-hiker but, sadly, I had to tell them I was not. I passed a boy scout troop which was cool to see. They were trying to earn whatever badge or whatever it is they do.
Towards the end I went through a section that had a warning sign that said there were unexploded military devices in the area and to stay on the trail. Scary! I guess a helicoptor had crashed in the area back in the day and was carrying a bunch of grenades and mines or whatever and so it was impossible for the military to find all of them.
I found the fire road that led down to Cibbets Flat and started down, relieved that I was almost done. Pretty soon I saw Jasper heading up the trail and we walked it back down together. He was parked off the fire road so he gave me a ride the last 1/3 of a mile down to the campground. It took me 3.5 hours to walk this section. Everyone had already left so Jasper left me to my own devices at a picnic table to wait for Dennis to pick me up. I pulled out my trail mix and beef jerky and made myself a cup of decaf while I waited. Ranger Tim came over and started chatting with me. He thought I was a thru-hiker but I had to sadly tell him that I wasn't. We chatted for about half an hour while I waited on Dennis and I learned all about the border patrol tactics for illegal immigrants on the PCT. Did you know there are foot motion sensors planted along the trail and cameras along this section of the PCT? I didn't! Made me feel a little creepy. I also learned from Ranger Tim that those woodpeckers I saw at Mt. Laguna are called Acorn Woodpeckers. I also learned about the life and times of Hiker Bill who is a local character on the trail who lives to drink and smoke and wander around looking for people to conversate with. He wears cut-off jeans to hike and he hopes to die on the trail but despite his best efforts, helicoptor rescues keep saving his life. LOL.
Dennis finally got me and took me down to Carl's Jr. where I had a Bourbon Burger. I have to say it was not nearly as good as an Angry Whopper so I'll be sticking with Burger King from here on out.
Enjoy some pictures!
Here's my rad trail mix that I made:
Group shot in the beginning:
Jasper:
Ed the organizer:
Lake Morena in the distance:
What kind of animal crap do you this this is???
Road crossing at Kitchen Creek:
Cool rock formations:
Pretty flower shots. I learned what yucca looks like!
1 comment:
Way to go idyllic spirit; yet another successful backpacking adventure under your belt.
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