Start point

Hauser Creek

End point

Boulder Oaks, mile 26.1

Miles hiked

10.8

Wilderness area

Cleveland National Forest

People I met

Nate (AT hiker)

Neil

Emma

Jane and Nate (two Nates in a day!)

The day on trail

Not as many photos today, partially because I’m tired and partially because I left my keyboard at Dana’s so, until I can get it, I have to type with my thumbs and…I hate that!

Today was gorgeous. I was slow getting out of bed. I talked with Kyrie this morning and she told me about a really bad accident which made her unable to walk for, I think, a year. Through PT and OT she was able to learn to stand, toilet, and walk…and now she’s doing a month on the PCT!

It’s just a reminder of why I do what I do. Really, giving people back the keys to their body just makes me so happy.

It was a pretty easy walk to Lake Morena, where I went off trail for about a half mile to get a burger and a malt. Boy was it worth it. Not just for the food, but to talk with other hikertrash. There are some really cool people out here. Jane with their blue hair and nonchalance. Nate with his cautious processes. Other Nate with his stories of the AT and his drive to hike. Emma with her enthusiasm for where she is. And Neil with his groundedness and humor. I don’t know if we’ll cross paths again but it was so great to chat with them their and down the trail.

Grounded Nate was the first to stop hiking, around mile 22. There were some gorgeous campsites there and he snagged one. Emma and Nate (AT Nate) went on. Emma got off around mile 23 to camp with Jane and Nate. She ended up tearing a massive hole in her tent getting her pack into it. AT Nate was telling her that Big Agnes, who made her tent, is usually really good about repairing gear. Jane helped her tape the hole up because I didn’t have enough tenacious tape to take care of it, so they used duct tape.

AT Nate continued on, with me leaving shortly after. He’s heading to Julian shortly, I’m taking my time. Roberta is meeting me at Cibbets Flats tomorrow, which is only 6.5 miles up. I hope to be there by noon.

AT Nate and I hiked together a bit. We talked mycology and foraging, and I pointed out some of the native plants in the desert. He’s familiar with west coast flora, and it’s always fun to show someone who’s into that stuff new things.

I really want people to love the desert. It doesn’t have the sweeping dramatic majesty that the Sierra or Rockies have, rather it has its own nuance that takes time to appreciate. It’s like a good painting. Sometimes they take your breath away instantly, and sometimes you have to keep staring before you fall in love. And I’ve fallen in love with it again and again.

Water crossing continue to be swollen and lush with water. I carried way too much because Far Out didn’t have many listed, and it was really unnecessary. Again, being from the desert, I’m happy to carry more out of an abundance of caution.

My one disappointment is I saw a brilliant red velvet ant and don’t know if I got a good photo. I need my computer to see!

The sand was so pink in this particular spot.

And I had to walk next to a burn zone.

The views are always worth it though.

And I dunno but I just love purple flowers.

What a day. Cibbets Flat tomorrow!