Mt. Laguna to Warner Springs
Day 4 (May 4)
To campsite in boulder field (mile 55.9)
Late start today as I started writing my journal. Heading out of camp at 10 am and walking alone for most of the morning. Tried to get water at a spigot which turned out to be off. Damn, I had not checked the water report. I still had some water but asked some army guys where to find water. They gave me almost 1.5 liters as they said they had more than enough. The trail provides! Met Reto on the way and camped with 2 other girls at a nice spot between big boulders.
Day 5 (May 5)
To tent site at mile 71
15ish miles
Though tucked away between the boulders, it was still very windy all night but my tent held up pretty well. I slept without my puffy and did not feel cold though my sleeping bag felt a bit damp after putting up my tent last night which made me worry a bit. I put my rain jacket on top of my sleeping bag but that really made me sweat. The wind continued after leaving camp until about 2 p.m. when the clouds went away and revealed a clear and sunny sky. Together with Reto, we picked up Nick from England on the way. Took us quite a while to find a sheltered, cozy spot.
Dinner was “Tagliatelle with a delicate butter-flavoured sauce”. Yum!
Day 6 (May 6)
To Julian (mile 77)
It slightly started raining at night but clear skies when I woke up. After breakfast and packing most of my stuff, it started raining quite heavily again, so I decided to stay in my tent and write this here. When after another 45 minutes the rain did not cease, we packed and started walking. It stopped eventually, the air was pretty cold though. We met XC on the way and after calling the people of Stagecoach Campground who said that they do not have cabins anymore, we hitched into Julian.
Hard to get a room there. Finally, we took a king suite for $190 for the 3 of us. After having hamburgers at Carmen’s where we also had the chance to do our laundry for free, XC found 3 other hikers who wanted to share a room. The room price would be only $30 for each of us then. Nice! Felt good to have a shower and fresh clothes.
Day 7 (May 7)
Tentsite at 3rd Gate (Mile 91.2)
14 miles
After some emailing and a great lunch, I hitched out of Julian to Scissors Crossing with three other hikers around noon. 2 older, very cool ladies took us in their pickup truck. Reto stayed in Julian for a zero-day as his ankle was still swollen. I walked alone for the most part until I met Lauren with whom I camped at the so-called Third Gate with a few others.
Day 8 (May 8)
To campsite at mile 101.1
Got up late and had a slow breakfast. Treated my blisters which had been bothering me the day before. I was the last one walking out of camp at 9h30. Talked to several day hikers during the day and had lunch with Warren who had a bad ankle. Passed mile 100! Arriving at a water source, there was some cool trail magic provided by a nice guy called Minty Mike who had hiked the trail the year before. Beers, chips & hot dogs! Plus chairs!
Met Listen & Squirrel there and Kent and one of the Twisted Sisters. At 4 p.m., I decided to pitch my tent there as the next campground was still 8 miles to go.
Day 9 (May 9)
To Warner Springs (mile 103.5) and then to tent site at mile 114
13 miles
Gave German lessons with Jake at the campsite. Learned what poison ivy looks like. Passed Eagle Rock and some beautiful meadows. Lunch with David at Warner Springs Grill & Golf. Post Office to pick up 2nd resupply box. Repacking, emailing, charging and “bucket shower” at the Warner Springs Ressource Center. Left before hamburger party at 4pm. Camp at a small site by Agua Caliente Creek with Rose, David and Jack.
