4/22/20, mile: 342, elevation: 3,045 ft.
Firsts: Rattlesnake next to the trail. Tick found on my leg.
So what’s the big deal about a McDonald’s, ya say? Well this one is only .4 miles off of the PCT, that’s why. And it’s only 12-ish miles away from camp this morning. It’s another well-known stop along the PCT, though with Covid-19, I’m sure it won’t be the same experience.
I had pizza and salad (the salad was quite satisfying) for breakfast, and then took down my completely dry tent (Holy macaroni!). Guzzled some water, packed up and took off. I knew today was going to be one of the warm exposed days, and unfortunately I was right. Starting early helps, but the weather was forcast to be warming, so it is what it is.
A little while later, the trail climbs over a ridge and gains shade as well as flowing creeks. Wonderful places for a picnic. The water is even chill enough for beer. And then more sauntering, this time getting drier and warmer. The creeks are drying out, and so is the landscape.
My first rattlesnake encounter was weird. I didn’t see it, but heard it first. It took me a while to see it in the bush next to the trail (uphill side), but he was a good 6-ft. away. Quite surprising he’d alert that far off. No matter, it worked. I jumped. And it doesn’t sound like something in a cowboy song either, it’s more of a hiss.
After a long drawn out climb to another ridge, the area of Cajon Pass becomes visible, yet it isn’t close by trail distance. The trail zigs and zags about, and going mostly downhill now, but very exposed due to the fire that tore through here several years ago. And then surprisingly enough, the trail comes upon a flowing creek, and the descends into a very cool mini canyon before popping out at Interstate 15 at the Cajon Junction. And it literally just does that. One bend and it’s all remote-feeling canyon country, the next is a multi-lane freeway and a CHP truck ispection station. And don’t forget the multiple train lines…Talk about culture shock!
I continue my trek on the pavement and head to Mickey D’s. Burger as expected, fries were hot and fresh, and the strawberry shake was quite refreshing. Eating on the curb in the parking lot, even so close to the PCT, doesn’t get the same response from passerby’s as other trail towns. Most people here don’t seem to know or care (at least the customers), they just do their own thing. Quite a surreal “town” moment compared to all others.
I went to the convenience store next door for a few supplies and then left. My research of the upcoming trail indicates it’s a long way to a decent camp spot, and the closer ones are impacted by freeway and train noise. So backwards I went into the canyon. I found a sweet spot near the flowing creek and listened to more frogs and crickets. And I successfully cowboy camped, too! Walking in the creek, I hit a patch of quicksand; one step I was standing on a sandbar, the next I sank to my knees. Quite shocking at first, then I just laughed at myself. Looks like I can posthole anywhere.
Tomorrow, more Mickey D’s and then start climbing towards more snow segments. Oh joy.
Savior out.