Day 12 (Mile 166.5-171.5)

Start Location: 166.6 Miles (About a mile from Fobes Saddle near Cedar Springs)

Finish Location: 171.6 Miles

Daily Mileage: 5 miles (on trail)

Total Miles: 171.5 Miles

Miles To Finish: 2488.5 Miles

If yesterday was windy - Thursday was all about the cold.  It was only 43 degrees.  The group hiked about five miles - near Apache Peak, but had to turn around due to time.  If they went over to Apache Springs and beyond, they still had to make it back to Idyllwild to get to the snow course. 

So while Dave and Team Far Sight ended up hiking about 11 miles total - hiking in, hitting the ice, and back out - they did make a new friend to add to the group - Ed from Canada.

(Zero, Girl Friday, Dave, Ed, and Fire Marshall -
all enjoying the warm of being inside and each other's company.)

But the hiking was not easy.  Due to last week's storm and the cold, the mountain was icy. Many hikers turned around - some even planning to leap frog to the desert and come back and tackle this part of trail another time. It is one of those choices that has to be made on the trail - and in the end, on a 2600 mile hike, being safe and smart matter a lot more than just unnecessary taking risks.

The group hung out at the Woodland Park Manor in Idyllwild on Thursday.  And despite the two tough days - there were smiles all around.

Tomorrow Dave, Jane and Fire Marshall are off to snow class!

~ Midget Trail Angel

Day 11 (Mile 155.5 - Mile 166.5)

Start Location: 155.5 (Near Hwy 74)


Finish Location: 166.6 Miles (About a mile from Fobes Saddle near Cedar Springs)

Daily Mileage: 11 miles

Total Miles: 166.5 Miles

Miles To Finish: 2493.5 Miles

On Wednesday, Dave - along with Team Far Sight - started their ascent on Mt. San Jacinto, although they knew it would be a few days until they got there.

It was a day of climbing and wind.  The wind report indicated the wind was blowing at about 109 MPH, as measured at the Palm Springs Tram location.  So the group called it quits after 11 miles.  They ended up camping on top of a mountain in severe winds.  Although Dave was concerned of the cold and his tent flying away because there was not much protection, it was an uneventful night.

All in all, though, the group was in good spirits and looking forward to another day.

Day 10 (Mile 140 - Mile 155.5)

Start Location: 140 Mile Marker

Finish Location: 155.5 Miles (Near Hwy 74)

Daily Mileage: 15.5 miles

Total Miles: 155.5 Miles

Miles To Finish: 2504.5 Miles

Tuesday was another beautiful day with the sun shining.  Dave and Team Far Sight decided to spend the say hiking together.  

(One of the water caches along the way on the trail.)

Dave was in awe as Zero was blazing the trail - with the blind leading the sighted. 

 (Another view as Mt. San Jacinto looms closer.)

The group finished their 15 miles around noon or so, and then waited to be transported back to Duarte for a warm shower, a warm bed, a good meal, and a chance to do some laundry.  Everyone was in good spirits after the first 150 miles.

 (Team Far Sight enjoying their dinner.)

So we fired up the BBQ and everyone ate until they were stuffed.  Then the group enjoyed a cigar and beer by the fire.  Before long it was starting to get late and it was time to figure out supplies and get ready for the next few days of climbing up the trail and Mt. San Jacinto!

~Midget Trail Angel

Day 9 (Indian Flats to Mile 140)

Start Location: Indian Flats

Finish Location: 140 Mile Marker

Daily Mileage: 22 miles

Total Miles: 140 Miles

Miles To Finish: 2520 Miles

Today was a fairly uneventful day.  The hike was marked by the heat, as it was the first really hot day as Dave marched on towards Mt. San Jacinto.  But as Dave hates the cold, it was a welcomed change from the prior weeks snow and cold.

(A view of the valley looking over to Mt. San Jacinto)

Dave caught up to Team Far Sight about 18 miles into the day.  They decided to camp together. 

(A view of the moon from the camp site.)

So they found a campsite on the sandy bank near a stream. 

(Team Far Sight chatting and relaxing after setting up camp.)

Fire Marshall turned on "Hiker TV" (a.k.a. he made a fire), and they enjoyed a quiet night on the bank of the stream.

 ~Midget Trail Angel

Day 8 (Barrel Springs to Indian Flats)

Start Location:  Barrel Springs

Finish Location: Indian Flats

Daily Mileage: 17 Miles

Total Miles: 118 Miles

Miles To Finish: 2542 Miles

Today was another cold morning as Dave headed out from Barrel Springs. It was good to be back on the trail, especially since the storms of last week had passed and it was a nice, clear morning.

  (Dave starting out at Barrel Springs.)

He hiked about 8 miles back to the Warner Springs Camp ground for lunch. 

After lunch, he headed out for the last 10 miles.  The sky was a beautiful blue as Dave walked through Warner Springs, with the Palomar Observatory in the backgrounds and lots of gliders flying overhead.

Dave made it 18 miles to Indian Flats, where it was time to go back to the Warner Springs Camp ground.  But tonight was a night of company - hosting some other thru-hikers for the night.

 (Dave with some other thru-hikers, including Shroomers, Mango and Emily)

After making sandwiches, it was time to relax in the hot springs - and plan for Tuesday, which will be Dave's first night camping out by himself.

~Midge Trail Angel

Day 7 (PCT Kick-Off Part II)

Saturday was another quiet day hanging out at the PCT Kick-Off. 

(View of the camp ground.)

So it was time for new friends.

(Friends at the PCT Kick-Off)

(Jane and Jim at the kick off)

Later, it was time to drive up to Warner Springs and get ready for Dave's Sunday's hike.

(Dave setting up the tent at Warner Springs)

It was nice meeting people, but now it is time to get back to the trail!

~Midget Trail Angel

Day 6 (Official PCT Kick-Off)

Friday was another rest day.  Dave got up and headed back to Lake Morena - it was time for the official PCT Kick-Off.   So there were hundreds of hikers camping, getting to know each other, and trying to get/share information.

(View of the camp grounds)

(Dave at the super secrets of backpacking class.)

Dave spent some time meeting people, hearing about the water report, and learned about the alternative trail route in light of last year's fires.  He also stopped in to listen in on a class about the super secrets of backpacking, which had good information, even though most of it simply confirmed what Dave had already uncovered through months of research and planning.

Not surprisingly, Jane went to a cooking class. 

Also not surprisingly, by the afternoon, Dave was getting restless.  Although the plan was to camp Friday and Saturday night at Lake Moreno - that plan may change so that Dave can get back on the trail even earlier Sunday morning.

~Midget Trail Angel

Day 5 (Scissors Crossing to Barrel Springs)

Start Location: Scissors Crossing (Scissors Crossing Map)

Finish Location: Barrel Springs

Daily Mileage: 24.1 Miles

Total Miles: 101 Miles

Miles To Finish: 2559 Miles

On Day 5, Dave awoke to some snow in Julian. 

(View of the fresh snow overnight.)

But a little snow and rain would not slow Dave down.  So he packed up to head back to Scissors Crossing.

(Dave getting bundled up on a cold morning in the rain / mist.) 

As Dave started out, it was cold and misting.  It was his first day of really bad weather.  So for 24 miles he was working on how to deal with the snow flurries and the 30 degree weather.  The snow covered the mountains and made it slushy to walk.

(Rainbow near Scissors Crossing)

But despite all the inclimate weather, the silver lining was that Dave had passed his first 100 miles!  And despite the slushy trail, his feet were no longer as tired - even though they were still sore.

And at the end of the day, Dave was able to head back to Julian for a nice warm shower and a burger as more rain and snow rolled in. 

~Midget Trail Angel

Day 4 (Rest Day)

So after 3 days and almost 76 miles, Dave was ahead of schedule and decided to take a rest day in Julian.  He spent the day doing some antiquing, more planning, and some relaxing.

During the day he met some additional thru-hikers, making some new friends: Team FarSight (Trevor, Amber and Chad).  Trevor is now blind and after tackling the Appalachian Trail has decided to tackle the PCT with the rest of his team.  [Here's a link to their website in case anyone is interested: http://www.teamfarsight.org/]

All-in-all, a quiet, relaxing day out of the inclimate weather.  One more day of hiking and it will be time to drive back to Lake Morena for the PCT kick-off.

~Midget Trail Angel

Day 3 (Mt. Laguna Camp Ground to Scissors Crossing)

Start Location: Mt. Laguna Camp Ground (Mt. Laguna Map)

Finish Location: Scissors Crossing (Scissors Crossing)

Daily Mileage: 29.5 Miles

Total Miles: 75.9 Miles

Miles To Finish: 2584.1 Miles

Day Three started at the Mt. Laguna camp ground, after a night of gusty winds. 

(View of Little Laguna Lake from the camp ground on a brisk morning.)

Throwing his original plan of hiking about 15 miles out the window - cause who only wants to hike 15 miles? - Dave decided he would try to make it almost 30 miles to Scissors Crossing.  It would only be fair to disclose that the advantage of combining what would be two 15-mile days into one 30 mile day was that it would avoid Dave having to camp in the middle of nowhere (which would require the carrying of a heavier pack), especially with rain on the horizon.  It also potentially would give him a rest day, if he were so inclined.

So he bundled up and headed out.

(Dave jotting down his starting location in his log.)

As he walked through the mountains of the Cleveland National Forest - the flowers in the desert below made it look like a beautiful yellow carpet stretching out across the valley floor.

The other surprise of the day for him was finding a pop-up tent in the middle of nowhere - about 20 miles into the Day 3 hike.  It must had been set up by one of the many thoughtful trail angels, as it had beverages, hiking supplies, and even a portable shower.  Dave stopped to say hi and grabbed a Pepsi.  Then he was off for the final 9 miles of the day.

As Dave finished up, the weather started to turn.  So he headed to Julian (a small town a few miles away) to spend the night at the Julian Lodge.  It turned out to be an excellent call because by the time he was able to get a warm pizza, the rain had started and the wind was gusting.  Later it hailed and the temperatures plummeted again.  But that was o.k.  Dave was inside safe and warm after a long day.

~Midget Trail Angel

Day 2 (Boulder Oaks - Mt. Laguna Campground)

Start Location: Boulder Oaks Camp Ground (Boulder Oaks Map)

Finish Location: Mt. Laguna Camp Ground (Mt. Laguna Camp Ground)

Daily Mileage: 20.0 Miles

Total Miles: 46.4 Miles

Miles To Finish: 2613.6 Miles

Day 2 began a little chilly and a little damp, but with blue skies and the sun coming out.

(A view of Lake Morena from the camp ground in the morning.)

Dave was feeling good for Day 2. So good, in fact, that instead of the 14 miles he had planned, he decided to go 20 miles instead.

(Dave - Thumbs Up and ready to being Day 2.)

Day 2 was mostly uphill - with a few thousand feet of elevation gain.

Dave met up with some people along the way. Guino is on the right. (Dave met Guino on Day 1 - he had hiked the PCT twice previously.) Guino believes in carbo-loading the Budweiser way.

Jan is on the right also a through-hiker. She is 59 and from Torrence. This was her present to herself. Her plan is only to go to Oregon, as she does not think she can hike the trail fast enough to get to Canada in time. Although we passed Jan on the trail, we let her know where we were staying and she Jan actually joined us later in camp. She seemed very grateful for a place to stay, people to talk to, and some warm food. We were glad to help out in even this small way.

(Dave with Cleveland National Forest behind him. Just a mile or so from the end of his day.)

At the end of the 20 miles, Dave said he felt good, but he was much more tired than Day 1, especially his feet. He was ready to get back to camp, have some hot food and a beer.

(Dave overlooking the valley at the end of his 20 miles.)

The stop for Day 2 was the Mt. Laguna camp ground. We chose a view of the small lake that was nearby. After arriving back, it was time for a beer and some planning - as he waited patiently for some hot food to arrive as the winds began to blow and the temperature dropped once again. Day 2 done!

~Midget Trail Angel

Day 1 (Southern Terminus to Boulder Oaks)

Start Location: Southern Trail Terminus.

Finish Location:  Boulder Oaks Campground.

Daily Mileage:  26.4 Miles

Total Miles: 26.4 Miles

Miles To Finish:  2633.6 Miles

Dave started the day by signing into the register book at the Southern Terminus.  Some pictures to commemorate the day and off he went.

Although he had some company for the first mile - after that Dave was off and walking on his own.  Along the way he had passed another through hiker who had started Saturday, but the other hiker was taking it a bit slower and had a heavier pack on than Dave was carrying that day.  We met up with Dave about 15.5 miles later, and he was all smiles:

 He was feeling good and enjoying the beautiful scenery:

 (Dave with Lake Morena in the background)

After Lake Morena, it was another 6 miles until Boulder Oaks: his stopping point for the day.  During that section he met another through-hiker named Guino, who had already hiked the PCT twice and was doing it a third time. 

When Dave arrived at Boulder Oaks, he was in good spirits.  He said he was pleasantly surprised at how green everything was and how great the scenery was compared to what others had written about.  His feet were a bit tired, but other than that he felt strong.  It was time for a burger and beer and then back to the camp ground.

(Campground with the lake in the background.)

The first night's stop was supposed to be Boulder Oaks, but the camp ground was closed.  So Lake Morena was the closest substitute and became the first night's camp ground.

As the sun went down, so did the temperature. 

(Dave and Jane bundled up looking at maps.) 

After spending some time studying the maps and planning for Day 2, it was off to sleep.  But not too much later the rain started.  Fortunately, the tents kept everyone warm and dry.  And Day 1 was in the books.

~Midget Trail Angel

Get 'Er Done - And it begins . . .

So today is the day - Dave started his journey on the Pacific Crest Trail.  He was up at 5 a.m. to get an early start - as he was set to hike 26 miles on his first day.

As we headed to the start, we were greeted by a beautiful sunrise and the Border Patrol - who were just fabulous and even escorted us down the dirt road to the start. 

(Dave at the monument near the start of the Pacific Crest Trail with the border in the background)

(A beautiful sunrise - great day to start a hike.)

(Dave - last adjustments and the walk begins.)

From the monument it was time to hit the trail.  Dave was excited and appreciated the opportunity.  But his first thought was it was time to "Get 'er done."  And with that he smiled and started his journey. 

The beginning was an easy walk.  As he thought about his first steps of many, Dave said his concerns were threefold.  First, the weather - he just hates the cold.  Second was being by himself after a while.  And last was just making sure he could keep weight on so that his body would have the fortitude to make it the entire way. 

(Dave and Jane at the monument)

Jane's concern was that he eat everything she packed for him, and was she was so happy that she was getting to support him on his life long dream. 

Dave was all smiles after Mile 1 - only 2659 to go!

More later . . .

~Midget Trail Angel

Dave's PCT Kick-Off

THANK YOU - to everyone who came out to see Dave off on his trip.

(The gang - minus Hope and John who showed up a bit later.)

Dave was surprised to see everyone and really appreciated everyone who came out to wish him well and hear about his journey

So with just one more day before the journey actually begins - Dave is all smiles and looking forward to the challenge of the PCT.  He hopes you will follow along.

~Midget Trail Angel

Dave's Journey - The Beginning

For a long time Dave has wanted to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. I mean who wouldn’t want to walk 2600+ miles from the California border to Canada over mountainous terrain for months on end?

But it was an adventure Dave could not shake from his system. And then fortune (you know that mythical thing – not an actual pot of gold) smiled upon him; and he had an opportunity to make his dream a reality.

So months ago he hatched a plan to join the others who have sought to through-hike the Pacific Crest Trail. He bought books, he studied, he bought equipment, he made equipment, he made maps, talked to people, and did his homework.

Jane, by his side, figured out how to get him the food he needed along the way - and in the process became a dehydration queen.

(Trail Food)

And after all the planning, it now is just mere days before Sunday, April 18, 2010, when Dave leaves on his momentous journey.

He plans to use the web site http://www.trailingducks.com/ and this blog to share his journey with his friends and those people who are interested.

So be sure to stop by frequently to see where Dave is and offer up words and encouragement and support. And remember, if you ever want to join him just go to the website and you can coordinate to meet him and get more information there.

~Midget Trail Angel