The Desert Floor

My patched up air bed has survived the night! I did wake up a bunch a times because there were heavy winds, making my tent tarp flap like crazy. I set my alarm at 0500, but the snooze-button got the better of me. Around 0530 I started packing up, and was hiking around 0630. The morning was pleasant, with the temperatures were still fairly low. Thick clouds came rolling in over the surrounding crests. The hills we had camped in lush and green. Lots of flowers.

When I climbed out of the valley, the clear transition into more arid, desert terrain was apparent. I overlooked the desert plateau stretching out in far the distance, with the grim looking beige-brown mountains looming over it. On day 3 I had eyed them in awe, wondering if we would be passing through this kind of terrain…
Today the PCT flexed her muscles and sure enough, we would find ourselves passing through this seemingly brutal, inhumane environment.

Fortunately at Rodriguez Road there was a cache at which I loaded up on water for the very dry stretch ahead. Blankets of fluffy louds flowed gently over the last of the green lush hills. During my second breakfast (“I’ve had one yet, what about second breakfast?”) I broke my spork broke in half. No worries, duct-tape to the rescue!

The hiking coming down of the hills and into the desert floor was tiring; it was so hot. At some point I saw a plastic water bottle placed strategically next to the trail. This surprised me, because hikers know better than to leave trash alongside the PCT. When I took a closer look, I saw that the bottle was filled with water. On it was written a message that read something of the extend:

“The desert is a cruel bitch.
Please take this water only if desperately needed.
Papa Bear”

I had plenty of water, so I left the bottle untouched. The message however emphasizes the caring nature of the hiking community and the given that they look out for each other.
Finally I reached the plateau which I had to cross in order to get to the highway. There I was hoping to get a hitch into the small town of Julian; I needed to resupply for the coming 2 days before heading into Warner Springs.
Just before leaving the plateau behind me, to look for a good spot to catch a hitch from, I saw a map sign posted on the fence that read there’d be trail magic about 0.2 miles ahead. I decided that hitching into town could wait a couple of minutes. Under the bridge I found 2 lovely ladies providing every form of trail magic a thirsty and hungry hiker could want for; power-bars, cold soda, chairs, vegetables (I ate a bunch of carrots) and grapes. Great stuff!

After regaining some of my strength and giving my legs a good breather I went out to the highway where I got a hitch into Julian after approximately 20 minutes wait.
Julian is a lovely small town with lots of weekend visitors. Because hikers bring in a lot of business, the town is very welcoming to people that hike the PCT. After showing your PCT-permit in a cafe called “Moms” hikers are treated to free apple-pie, icecream and soda! They asked if PCT-hikers would want to sign the PCT register they have in the place. Afterwards I went to the shop to get my resupply done.

After hitching back to the trail-head near the highway-crossing, a bunch of hikers chilled out underneath the bridge in the shade. Here I patched up my first blister and got ready for the final stretch of the day. We headed out into the hills on the other side of the plateau as the sun was slowly setting.
Currently we’re camped at mile 81.7. Nothing left to do but wish my lovely mother (and all mothers out there) a happy mothers-day!

She said: “Take your time
Things will be just fine
Don’t bite the hand that feeds,
‘Cause nothing is ever mine
And just wait your turn,
And always try to learn
To love the ones that don’t show love in return”

Color – The Maine