Author: Lon Cooper

Today was perfect hiking weather as we departed the luxury of the Mount Laguna Lodge and returned back to the Pacific Crest Trail.

Our packs are heavy with four and a half days of food to carry us to our next resupply in Warner Springs, 68 miles by PCT to the north.

The trail traverses across the top of the Laguna Mountains with amazing views of the vast Anza Borrego Desert below.

Several miles of the trail passed through the 2013 Chariot Fire burn area, which was sad, but at the same time interesting to see plants blooming and wildlife returning.

We camped alone for the first time tonight and this was the first night away from roads or civilization. It was a beautiful clear night and we slept out under the stars.

Photo: Amazing views of the Anza-Borrego Desert from the PCT.

Mileage: 14.6 miles

Today we awoke to rain, mist, and drizzle. Rain was not forecasted, but we were not surprised because of the clouds from the previous afternoon.

It felt like the coldest day yet on the Pacific Crest Trail, even though it was actually about 10 degrees warmer than the previous two mornings. After a few hours the drizzle stopped and the hiking was considerably more pleasant.

We reached Mount Laguna by mid-afternoon and stopped by the outfitter who was holding a supply box for us and then checked in to the Mount Laguna Lodge. Quite a few hikers are here tonight.

Photo: Deb in the mist on the trail to Mount Laguna.

Mileage: 11.3 miles

Hiker Tip: Always be prepared for cold wet weather on the PCT.

We got an early start on the Pacific Crest Trail this morning, departing Hauser Creek shortly after 6 am. It was another chilly morning and our gear was covered with condensation and frost. We need to work on our technique for packing up wet tents in the dark — I’m sure this won’t be the only time we have to do that.

We had an excellent breakfast at the Oak Shores Grocery in Lake Morena Village.

The mild daytime temperatures continued today as we hiked past Boulder Oaks and then up Kitchen Creek. We found very nice camping and good water 4/10 of a mile north of the PCT near the Yellow Rose Spring.

Photo: Deb and our small tent near the large trees at Yellow Rose Spring.

Mileage: 14.8 miles

Hiker Tips: We started the PCT with just 1.5 days food and resupplied at Lake Morena Village. This worked very well for us. The Oak Shores Grocery is now serving excellent food. We had breakfast there and ordered sandwiches that were large enough for both lunch and dinner. It’s only another 1.5 days to Mount Laguna, so you don’t need to carry that much food.

Today we began a long walk. A 2,660 mile walk from the Mexican border to the Canadian border on the Pacific Crest Trail.

White Jeep gave us an early morning ride to the Southern Terminus of the PCT (thanks White Jeep), where about 30 other hikers also started hiking today. A surprisingly large number considering how early in the hiking season it is. The hikers spread out pretty quickly, and we spent the day leapfroging with a half dozen other hikers who walked about the same pace as us.

We decided to only go as far as Hauser Canyon the first day. Our plan is to hike a relatively easy 15 mile per day pace for the next three weeks. Plus, this sets us up to spend Saturday night at Mount Laguna (mile 42).

Mileage: 15.4 miles

Hiker Tips: No water in Hauser Creek. We carried 5 liters of water each from Campo which was about half liter more than we each needed. Temperatures were very mild — low around 27.