Written Thursday, 22 Apr 21

I slept moderately well last night, but, as it turns out, my site selection wasn't that great. The site was slightly sloped, and I woke up several times during the night, having solid to the end of my tent.

Overnight, a fog bank rolled over the area, and I awoke to a damp, grey morning, a bit spooky in the pre-dawn when I awakened at 0445. Getting myself out from under my sleeping quilt was hard, but, as it turns out, the only hard thing I did today.

Today was as easy as they come. As soon as I got my morning chores done and ate breakfast, I was able to start hiking by 0630. It was chilly, but I warmed up quickly on the Trail. The path was nice and flat, and progress was easy.

As the mist began to burn off, the ecosystem around me was also changing. The chaparral gave way to tall pines. The rocky ground was covered in pine needles, and, if you are in to Christmas crafts, this is the place to come to gather your pine cones!

By 0800, I come to a fork in the Trail. One direction leads directly into the town of Mount Laguna. The other direction is an overlapping section of the PCT and the Desert View Trail that bypasses Mount Laguna.

I decide to take the bypass and then double back into town. Easy mile and a half, including a quick stop at a beautiful water fountain in the middle of nowhere (right next to a trough for your horse).

By 0845, I have finished a very pleasant walk along the bypass and turn back into Mount Laguna.

The first stop was the Laguna Lodge and General Store where I was the first person through the door and was, luckily, able to secure a room for tonight.

My second stop was the Pine House restaurant for second breakfast. There was already a large group of hikers there. They invited me to sit with them, and we had a great conversation while waiting for our meals.

I had an enormous plate of eggs, potatoes, and a hamburger, with fruit on the side. Aaa and... I ate before taking a picture to show you.

After second breakfast I bought a pain au chocolat on my way out and sit down at an outdoor table to enjoy the sun (see picture above). The sun is nice, but there is a breeze too so I break out my fleece.

As I'm digging through my pack, Silke, the German hiker with whom I had supper in Lake Morena arrives, along with Florian and Karen, two other hikers I met yesterday on the Trail. They're waiting to see if they can get a room at the Lodge. I go back inside with them and have another croissant while they have breakfast.

Mount Laguna is tiny, and there's not much to do but chat while waiting for a my room to open up. Really nice people.

About 1400, the Lodge said my room was ready but said there was no room for the others. I ask if anyone wants to split the room with me. Silke accepts. Florian and Lauren decide they'll head up the Trail and camp.

Silke and I quickly wash our clothes in the bucket provided by the Lodge ("please don't wash clothes in the sink or tub"), get showers, hang out clothes to dry, and catch up on correspondence via WiFi.

About 1730, we decide to walk back to Pine House for supper, but turns out the restaurant is closed. Argh!

We schlep back to the room and make hiker meals from our food bags, laughing about our fancy town stop.

It's a little later than usual for a hiker so time to sign off.

I'm safe, dry, and warm at the Mount Laguna Lodge tonight!

Miles hiked today: 5.0 Total miles hiked: 42.8

Sea Otter Fact of the Day: In order to fuel their high metabolism, sea otters must eat almost a quarter of their body weight in food every day. A nursing mother might need up to a third of her body weight in food.