PCT day 7. Warner Springs, oasis in the desert.

Mile 91.5 to mile 109.5, 20.2 miles!! (2.2 miles off PCT). High 68, low 36. Winds light to 10 MPH, slightly higher on the ridge lines. Elevation start: 3552 feet, topping out at 4150 feet, ending at 3040 feet in Warner Springs. Sunny.

Ok, oasis in the desert may be a bit of a stretch, but any place I can eat a meal from a table is now gourmet to me.

I began the day awaking a bit later than usual, at 7:00! After breakfast, Zach met us at our camp site. We walked a little ways off trail to a water cache.

We had a waterless stretch from mile 77 to mile 91.5, so some trail angels left a large cache for us. This is the only waterless stretch of greater than 4 miles so far, and moving forward, there will be plenty of creeks, so I won’t have to carry any water.

We began hiking all uphill to gain slightly over 1,000 feet to get over the rocky ridge line summit. We began the hike in a multitude of flowers, butterflies, and songbirds. I must mention that all of the flowers are courtesy of previous fires. In the areas where all trees have been burned in the last 5-10 years, there are carpets of flowers. In the areas where the trees (mostly desert mesquite, sage, and a type of stunted evergreen), there are very few flowers and much more grasses growing. The top of the “forest” never, or rarely exceeds 8 feet high, a testament to the harsh weather the desert plants usually endure.

I should mention that starting towards the end of day 1, my right knee began to hurt. By the end of day 4, it hurt enough that I was using my hiking poles to lean on when traveling downhill. I was somewhat alarmed. My knee felt somewhat better on day 6, and today was my best day so far regarding my knee. My body is also feeling stronger. I pounded out 20 miles and I feel good, knee included! I notice that the uphills are getting easier. It’s nothing to power through a 1,000 foot climb now! My mind is also changing in how it thinks. The first 3-4 days was appoached with a sense of nervous anticipation and self doubt regarding the terrain and upcoming miles. Yesterday and today have been more of a “bring it on” feeling. I wake up with a sense of confidence that says “lets do this, one step at a time!” I also need to consume more calories. In 7 days, I’ve lost over 1.5 inches from my waist line. That’s too much too fast. I have never felt hungry, nor terribly exhausted.

We continued hiking through the nice and cool day, finally reaching mile 100!!

Within a few steps of the mile 100 milestone, Oli yells something in German and jumps straight up!! It was then that I heard that dreaded rattle of a rattlesnake. I froze because I couldn’t tell where it was in the brush and tall grass that lined the trail. The problem is that I was leading with Oli behind me, which means that I walked right past the rattler without even noticing. He pointed it out, and Zach, 3rd in line said “duuuuude”, and immediately got his go pro out and taped it rattling in the brush.

After that excitement, we ended up at Barrel Springs park where there were tall trees (shade) and running water! Somebody left some trail magic in the form of cases of pop! What a pleasant, unexpected surprise.

Shortly after Barrel Springs, we began the descent into the valley that will lead us into Warner Springs. Now, even the trees were blooming.

In keeping with the theme of this hike so far, the valley was breath taking. There was green as far as you could see, and the small hills actually glowed blue, purple, or yellow with the bloom. It looked like an old Irish Spring commercial! I’ll let the next few pictures do the talking.

After Eagle Rock, we began the final descent towards Warner Springs, through the tall grasses that surrounds the PCT. We heard that they were serving tacos until 5:00 at the Warner Springs community center, through the hiker grape vine, and we would have to really hurry the last 3 miles to make it on time. Oli led the group at this point. One rule of thumb in a hike…..don’t ever, EVER let somebody lead a hurried hike that runs marathons in the Swiss Alps! Just saying. Needless to say, I nearly jogged miles 17-20!!

We finally made it into Warner Springs and ate tacos. While eating the tacos, we caught up with Mike from Seattle! He’s a super cool dude, and an airline pilot. We haven’t seen him since the first day. He’s going to join Zach, Tom and I as we attempt San Jacinto mountain in the next week. Unfortunately, we will be losing Oli from Switzerland. He wants to hike ahead with a girl that he met previously. I will miss his company, but I have a hunch that I haven’t seen the last of him. That’s one thing that I’m learning, you never know who will come into and out of your trail life. I ended the evening discussing the resupply and route strategy with Zach, and will also discuss with Mike in the morning regarding San Jacinto. This will be a complicated hike in the next week as San Jacinto is socked in with deep snow. Do we attempt to ford through the snow with spikes, or detour around? And, what about resupply? Multiple roads into Idellwyld (sp?) are washed out due to this historic rainy winter. Stay tuned for the answer!

Tomorrow will be an easy day, either a 0 or sub 10 mile day as we rest our weary bodies. I’ve hiked 109 miles in one week, the equivalent of 4 marathons in 1 week!. I can’t believe that I actually succeeded, and not only succeeded, but did so in great shape!!! Sometimes, I lack confidence in things I do or set out to do. I honestly worried if I could make Warner Springs, and thought it would be a 50/50 chance if I could go on, figuring that I would be physically unable to do so, or more importantly, mentally unable to do so. Well, I’m just fine physically, and even better mentally!!! I’ve surprised myself and made it through this first section better than I dreamed I could have, and I’m proud of myself! Bring on the next section! I’m ready for anything!!!!