Day 3

Kitchen Creek (30.0) to Mt Laguna (41.5)

PCT miles today - 11.5

Another easy day. Today began in a freezing tent with frost on both sides of tent wall. Chris was comfortable during packup with her down mittens - Rick had none. Ouch. We woke early to head up to Mt Laguna and hang out (have a room at the inn). Gorgeous weather - cool and breezy. We met several other thru-hikers: Scooter, Jason, Theo (now Fizz), and John. After walking through more desert terrain we were surprised by a lush Jeffrey Pine forrest at 6000 ft. Quite unexpected. Had a late breakfast at the cafe in Laguna and spent the afternoon washing (after only 3-days on the trail it seemed a bit indulgent). While we were walking from the cafe to lodge a car pulled over and a young woman leaned out the window and asked if we were hiking the PCT. We said yes and she said we were the first PCT hikers she had met and asked us if she could buy us ice cream. Sweet (!), but we were stuffed from breakfast and we are only ...41 miles into this hike. Hoping that trail angel magic lasts and that we can make our planned 26 miles tomorrow.