Start point

Scissors Crossing, mile 77.3

End point

Third Gate, mile 91.2

Miles hiked

13.9

Wilderness area

Cleveland National Forest

People I met

Rebecca, Fossil Lady

Professor

Atlas

Saunter

Ghost

Jen and Brett

The day on trail

Today had an interesting start, but it ended up great. I left my phone charger yesterday at Mom’s Pies. Roberta offered to pick it up before she meets me on the trail later this week, but I decided it’d be better if I just went and got it.

I met a trail angel, Ghost, and we chatted while I packed up, though I ended up going back to town with Rebecca. She works at 2 Foot Adventures. I got to town a few minutes before Mom’s opened up and called my brother, Randy, to catch up. I missed his birthday call yesterday.

Mom’s found my charger right away. I walked to Regular Wanted, the local coffee shop, and had an overpriced and underwhelming burrito while I waited for Professor to arrive to drive me back.

Man, some trail angels are weird. One talked about undocumented immigrants nonstop, another thought they could tell me what my hike would look like this year. It’s interesting. But enough about that, let’s talk about the hike.

Today started off warm and got cold in the evening, as these days tend to do.

The superbloom is continuing to swell and swell with rich blankets of purple, white, and orange flowers cascading over tan, red, and pale grey sands. It’s so pretty and so hard to capture on film.



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There was this really beautiful butterfly.

Can you see him? He’s tiny!

I caught a glimpse of a garter snake, but he was too fast. I did get this beautiful lizard though.

I saw this tomatillo plant which was super surprising.

There was this scrawny red thing. I’ve no idea what it is at all.

And these two barrel cactuses that were completely different colors in their thorns.

And more cacti. Because I love them.

Trail signs inspire me. I enjoy thinking about what they’ve seen and whose walked past them.

The views are always amazing!

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After almost 14 miles I got to the water cache at third gate. The cache is downhill a bit.

The day wasn’t without frustrations though. I purchased a water bladder to replace one that had a pinhole. This new one has a straight up leak at the top and it got my jacket a little wet.

It’s funny. I followed one trail angel’s advice to not carry too much water because of the cache. I ran low on water, so I shouldn’t have followed it. But it was in the new bladder, so if I had more it would’ve been worse. It’s a weird dichotomy when you follow bad advice that avoids a completely different problem.

I also tried a new pair of underwear. They seem to be made for men with scrawny legs, of which I’m not part of them. They rode up and caused some thigh chafing. And they’re not cheap undies.

A lot of us on trail are getting tired of the Facebook groups. So many people who aren’t hiking are offering input about the Sierra. And it’s all fearmongering. Just because they say “this isn’t fearmongering” doesn’t mean it isn’t. It’s like “I don’t mean to sound racist…but.”

Yes, snow levels are historically high. But if it’s consolidated ice, then whatever. Plus, we have San Jacinto and Big Bear to worry about first. All the rambling about the Sierra just is frustrating us and taking our eyes off the main goal: to enjoy our hike.

And it’s time for bed. I’m exhausted.