Back on the Trail - (Starting Trail Mile 109.5, elevation 3040)

Rancher allows PCT hikers to cross his land.

Marv dropped me back at Warner Springs to carry on with my hike on a very warm day.  I hiked until at 12:30, then stopped to filter water from a stagnant pond.  The new types of filters are amazing compared to the old Katydyn I used to carry for backpacking.  I'm using a Sawyer mini, which you saw in an earlier post.  It is quick and easy.  Except in areas with particular warnings, it is all I need.  I do carry chemical treatment as well, but will not use it except in very questionable areas.  The PCT Association posts water reports that hikers update regularly.  Water information and updates also show up on  my GPS Guthook App which works on my phone even when I do not have cell reception.  Technology really eliminates guesswork.  I've yet to get out paper maps or compass.  My GPS easily shows me if I'm on the correct trail, where the next water is, possible camp sites, my elevation gains and losses and on and on.  I can download any trail in the world on this app. I can touch any symbol on the screen and it will tell me the trail mile, the elevation, and show a picture of what the creek, campsite, road etc. looks like, so I can recognize it when I come to it.  If I touch the red GPS button, it shows me exactly where I am on the map and how far I go to specific places ahead.

Map View.

Elevation view

Water is scarce as most of the creeks are seasonal and are now dry.  I first cross about four miles of open grassland and then enter a more wooded area of sycamores and cottonwoods.  I didn't find out until later that mountain lions roam the area. After getting water, I found a big tree near the mostly dry Agua Caliente Creek to nap and write in my journal under for a couple of hours during the heat of the day. I then must climb switchbacks to get out of the valley and then follow miles of ridge line.  Later in the day, I found a nice place to camp among some bushes that gave nice protection against ridge line winds.  Due to the heat, not many miles hiked today.  I'm really finding the heat difficult to hike in.

Tibetan  Prayer Flags over the trail.

Pretty succulents along trail.

The landscape of where I'm hiking

The trail

This bunny must be used to passing hikers.

My camp site for a night, protected from wind.