Mile 303.8 to 328.5, 25.2 miles (off PCT .5)Elevation start 3990, finish 3400. Total ascent, 2618, total descent 3448, average grade 257 feet per mile. Partly cloudy, high 62, low 48, very windy, gusts to 35.
I started this day rather early, wanting to make it to Cleghorn Picnic/camp. They have running water, TOILETS, and access to the lake!! It’s all about the little things in life we take for granted! Also, I promised myself that if I could make it this far, I’d reward myself with my “gourmet” dinner, Cheezy Bacon garlic potatoes to go with Zesty Lemon Ramen. Yum yum! I was walking before the sun rose. Once I left my protected nook in the mountains, the cold wind blasted me off and on for the rest of the day. Temps were quite chilly again, a blustery windy 50s for most of the day, topping out briefly in the low 60s.
I saw animal tracks very close to where I camped. I followed Deep Creek for the first 10-15 miles, having to ford it 3 times, the water coming up to just above my knees . That water was crystal clear.
I came up to deep creek hot springs, which is known as a crazy, “clothing optional” party site. I was there on a Tuesday morning, so nothing too crazy was happening. There were 14 people, 11 men, 2 gals and one more I couldn’t tell what gender. They were crowded into 2 really small pools at the creek. Much of the hot springs were badly damaged during the Feb 14th flood, so space was very limited.
I continued walking, stopping at the many water sources, letting my feet air out. I must have crossed at least 10 sources of running water today. All of this water in the “desert” has made the desert very green. I ended up hiking past a few hills that didn’t even look real. The grass had formed red seed heads. If I had my professional camera, that would have been an all time top 50 pic!
I also had the pleasure of leaving the San Gabriel Mountains by hiking through their lush, grassy foothills. I keep hearing that the SO CAL desert terrain isn’t supposed to normally look like this, but so far, my first experience in SO CAL is a beautiful flowery green oasis. The forest floor is carpeted with a white flower, and more flowers grow above them.
I rolled into camp about 5 PM, dead tired. I ate dinner, then got to meet ‘The Second Chance Hiker’. He’s become a PCT trail legend! He started the trail over 400lbs, hiking 2-3 miles PER DAY! He’s now up to 14 miles a day, and has lost 60-80lbs! You should Google him.
I finished my day laying in my tent, excited to be camping on green grass, and took a little time to identify all of the night sounds around me. There include lots of frogs croaking, crickets, 2 loud birds chirping back and forth. They made a simple rapid chirp for about 2 seconds, then the other would sound off. I can hear a dog way in the distance, very distant traffic on a highway I will probably hike past in the future, and an occasional train horn about 5 miles off in the distance.
Tomorrow will be a very easy day. I may even take a zero day. This is a peaceful little park by a lake, so why not slow down and relax a bit?
Sounds like a very relaxed hike you are taking. Hope this has allowed you knee to recover. Love the pictures and the stories of the interesting people you meet along the way.
The last few and next few days of hiking will be very relaxing. The next few days of hiking all revolve around my right knee.
Interesting pictures you took. That foot print looks a lot like a juvenile bobcat. Or some somebody is missing a large house cat. But judging from where you are located my guess is on the bobcat. They are very stealthy, so you could walk near them and never see them. And they don’t much like to be around humans.
Hey dad!! Yea, I was wondering if it could have been a bobcat.
Hi, Jason,
You are making great progress. I hope your knee is feeling better.
I have been sending some of your information to a professor friend of mine in Shanghai, China. Another friend in Japan is following your exploits.
Best wishes,
Brian
Wow, thank you Brian!!