Boulder Oaks

Out for a second day in row. I have this habit of hiking the same trail several times before moving on to a new one, especially if i think there may be some things that I missed on the last outing. Sure enough, I ran across a rock that looked suspiciously like a buffalo..Unfortunately, my camera lens was fogged up from being in my pocket and the pic did not come out. This means I have to go there again, just to take a picture of it..poor me..:) So let me fill you in on this weekends location. Interstate 8 east out of San Diego to Buckman Springs Road then take a left on Old Hwy 80. About a mile up, on the right is Boulder Oaks Campground. From this point, there is access to the Pacific Crest Trail, as it runs right through the campground. Two weeks ago, I hiked to boulder oaks from kitchen creek road, this weekend I went south towards Lake Morena county park. If it were not for the weather being so cold lately, I might have made it to the lake, but it was just too cold with my sweat and the wind..No worries, it's supposed to get warm here again next week...near 70 I think.

It's been nearly 10 days since my last post, The only real updates I have at the moment are going to be on the gear page. I did go out today for a 3 mile section of section A3 of section A.. I could tell I had not been out in more than a week....trail legs don't last long if unused...lol  I have to get back to hiking two or three days a week again...I cannot recall if I posted this or not, but my goal this fall is to hike all of section A and section B prior to ADZPCTKO (annual day zero PCT kick off) This will allow me to start in may with a head start, instead of a mid to late april start. it will be a little warmer this way.

Off to the gear page for some updates!

A trail moment

Caught serendipitously by Robin, my day hiking partner's camera...  For those of you who have hiked the Laguna Mountains, you probably recognize this vista...It is the Anza-Borrego Desert some 5700 Feet below!. In the distance, under the smog is the Salton Sea. We were on our way to Garnet Peak..Robin had never hiked this area. He had a good time, and his camera was good at catching me in some awkward moments throughout the day!

Since my last post, I have went out on three occasions to do some day hiking in the Pine Creek Wilderness, and the Hauser Wilderness areas of the Cleveland National Forest. The first of the three outings was a short one, as I have been having feet and ankle issues. I went to the Japatul Fire Station road to the southern end of the Pine creek wilderness trail head parking. from there, I descended 1800 feet to Pine Creek, where I discovered a riparian habitat full of life! Having forgotten to get a map of this wilderness area, I lost the trail much to my dismay... so i turned back. Feet were aching anyway...

Second of the three this past week was to section A4 of section A of the PCT. sorry if it sounds like government acronyms, cause it is..lol  Anyway, I parked on Kitchen Creek Road, where the PCT crosses it and headed south towards Boulder Oaks Camp Ground 4 mile's hike away. A very pleasant hike indeed. although there were a lot of people out this day. Got to the campground and had a snack, drank a little water and headed back to the car, 4 miles hike north and all up hill! luckily, I'm in fantastic shape now, and didn't hardly notice the grade..

Sunday's hike was to the north end of the Pine Creek Wilderness, at the base of Stonewall Peak in Pine Valley. I took the Secret Canyon trail a couple of miles in the Pine Valley Bridge. Along the way I ran into a fellow hunting turkey, sporting a 12 gauge shot gun. Boy was he cute! Anyway, this was really a fun hike, going back there tomorrow to do a few more miles of it with my newfound friend Robin.

A little about my feet problems...I mentioned it to my doctor, he ordered x-ray images and referred me for arch support inserts for my shoes. He did mention that my shoes looked a little (ok a lot) suspect, so this afternoon I purchased a new pair of light hikers. I do have to say that they feel better on my feet than previously worn shoes. I guess I can't be cheap when it comes to footwear anymore...X-ray's came back normal. obviously I knew that would be the case, as soft tissue doesn't show up on that type of imaging. Tendon issues,  I'm fairly certain...Maybe the new shoes will help.

Palm Canyon

A very unique experience. During a weekend trip to Palm Springs, I visited Indian Canyons, and the famous Palm Canyon. A true oasis in the desert. Big, beautiful majestic palm trees, lush riparian habitat, cool breezes all surrounding a flowing creek, whilst only minutes away, the air is hot, its dusty and dry. If your ever in the Palm Springs, CA are, this is a must see! there are many miles of hiking trails in this preserve, so come prepared for a unique experience with lots of water and sunscreen.

Why I do what I do...

I wish I could answer that Question in a short, simple way, but there is no one reason. I decided to take the time to ponder this question after reading a "why we do what we do" post on the PCT-L. Days like today make me wonder what drives me, as my feet hurt today, they did some yesterday as well. I still went out to the mountains to hike, albeit a short one,but a hike none-the-less. Now my poor feet ache! maybe the doc can help me out on Tuesday when I see him. So back to the topic at hand. I have always been a lover of the outdoors, as long as I can remember. I have always been a drifter at heart as well. My family and friends can confirm that, and usually remind me of that trait when they ask.."What city are you in now, or what state?" I find it difficult to sit still very long, or stay planted in one place permanently. I spent a year travelling around most of the States, now it's the back country that calls my name! I seem hell bent on doing this hike, regardless of obstacle's.damn feet..oh and knees too...but who cares. I'll make it one way or another. I dream of a simpler life, one much like the life portrayed on " Bonanza" (the TV show). I own very few material possessions. heres a quick inventory of my life:
One 2004 Toyota RAV4, One solid teak futon with memory foam mattress, one dilapidated old computer that I got from my sister, clothes, all the little but necessary things to live a clean, healthy life. In short, I could easily get it all in and/or on my little SUV and take it where ever I want to go, whenever I want to go. I have no more than I need, and want no more than I have. Just what I need for survival, and a few very carefully chosen items for my comfort. Love those sateen sheets and smart wool socks! It's the little things!

I suppose I shouldn't forget about my hiking gear...The truly simple life exists within the zippers of my backpack, powered by my own legs, burning only natural fuel, and leaving no trace that I was ever in the wilderness.

100 Degrees in Downtown San Diego today! Can you believe it?

That hard ground...

After many years of sleeping on Memory Foam, all I have to say is this...The ground is a very hard thing to sleep on! My therm-a-rest foam pad works fantastic as a sit pad...and I suppose once I got to sleep it was not so bad, it did keep me warm. However, it was the getting comfy long enough to get to sleep that was not so easy to do, and I am still sore after that night. So it's off to REI again to buy an inflatable therm-a-rest that weighs very little, but will offer much better comfort. Yes, I said comfort!  So about the desert trip..I'm not so big on camping with all those noisy ATV's and those desert racers running up and down blow sand hill all night...It was enjoyable though, the company was good, and I did manage to overcome a fear that I have harbored for many many years toward ATV's. I actually rode one, through berms and dips and even caught some air!!