Written, Wednesday, 21 Apr 2021

Slept okay last night. Probably not a lot of deep sleep, but didn't wake up too often.

I was up by 0430 (still dark), got my morning chores done, choked down a couple of bars for breakfast (one of which might have been leftover from my AT hike in 2019...a little crunchier than normal), packed up and was ready to hit the Trail by 0630-ish. Yep, I'm moving like lightning! Seriously, I need to get more efficient at this. Still, I think I'm the first person out of camp this morning.

It's easy to get back on the Trail since it runs right through the little PCT camp. I assume the kind citizens of Lake Morena have offered us this small corner of the very nice park by the lakeshore to discourage us from camping illegally on front lawns and such.

With the sun low in the sky, it takes me a few minutes to get warmed up, but the trail here is both beautiful and beautifully maintained--wide, flat, and clear of rocks and debris.Im going to try not to compare every step of this trip to my AT hike, but this is easier than the easiest portion of the AT, which is fine by me!

A few easy miles in, I hike under a highway underpass (Old CA 80, I think) and hop over a couple of low-running but useable streams. I'm still carrying the two liters I started with so I don't stop, and it's not too long before I the Trail takes me through one of the many nice camping areas the state and local governments maintain in California (the Boulder Oaks Campground) that has real bathrooms!

While making my way through, I meet a very nice couple camping with their beautiful pit bull puppy. They offer me a " semi-hard cinnamon roll and/or a semi-cold beer." I'm honestly tempted by both, but I'm still feeling the effects of the extra-aged Bobo's bar that I had for breakfast. Mindful of yesterday's digestive misadventure, I regretfully decline.

Shortly, the Trail passes have under another highway (this time Interstate 8), and starts upward for the first time today. Of course, the sun is he higher by noon w, and it's quite warm, but no problem. There's a good water stop a couple miles up the hill at Kitchen Creek.

Such a great plan...

But because I am no navigator (people who know me, feel free to chime in here), I manage to miss the turn-off to the creek, in spite of the fact that I know the creek is below me on my left AND I have even taken a picture of it from the Trail. Honestly, some days, I'm surprised my stupidity hasn't killed me yet.

I don't realize my mistake until I track Kitchen Creek Road, two miles past the turn-off, after a long, hot climb. I am vexed. And I may have said some swear words. My easy water day has now, once again, become more dicey since it's several miles to the next water source. I consider turning around and going back, but I still have the two full liters I started the day with, think about schlepping up this hill twice (uhm, no!), and decide to press. In retrospect, another dumb decision. Please don't take hiking advice from me. Really.

Luckily, the Trail gets easier after this. The ups and downs are a lot more gentle, and, even though the sun is still hot, I'm able to hold out for and hour or so before I find some shade and eat my lunch, washed down by a liter of water.

At some point, I came across an artifact from my Air Force past: a former range area with Unexploded Ordnance signage. What an odd spot near the PCT.

This is a remarkable pick-me-up! The final couple hours of the day just cruise by, on a relatively long but gentle climb. Before I know it, I've climbed above 5, 280 feet and about an hour later, I'm above 6,000 feet, an altitude I reached only occasionally on the AT.

Even though it's only about 1630, I've done over 17 miles, and I'm still pretty tired from yesterday's long hike, I decide to call it a day.I find the first flat campsite I can and drop my pack. By a stroke of luck (or skilled orienteering, take your pick), I've chosen a site just 0.1 miles from a flowing stream so my water worries are over... until I goof up again.

Coming back from collecting water, I notice how much cooler it has become, and I break out my fleece as I get camp set up and soak my supper.

And now I am safe, dry, are warm in my tent, just a few miles to Mount Laguna, where I'll do a "nearo" (near zero-mile day).

Miles hiked today: 17.6 Miles hiked so far: 37.8

Sea Otter Fact of the Day: The sea otter is a member of the Mustelid family. It's closest relatives are weaels and badgers.