PCT Day 2 – Hauser to Boulder Oaks Camp Ground (mile 26)

The desert is dirty

April 6. 2026

Start mileage: 15.4

End mileage: 26.0

Non PCT miles: 0.2

Total: 10.9 miles / 17.5 kms

I slept well and woke up at 05:00 am feeling a lot less sore than I anticipated. I forgot how dirty the desert section of the PCT is. I’ve been out here one day and everything is either covered in dirt or dried sweat. I wonder how much dirt the average PCT hiker eats on a thru hike?

The first 700 miles of the PCT is called the desert section. Although very little of it is true desert. Rather it is technically chaparral:

The chaparral is a Mediterranean shrubland biome primarily located in California, Baja California, and parts of Southern Oregon, characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. It is dominated by dense, woody shrubs like manzanita and chamise, and it is highly adapted to fire, with significant threats arising from climate change and increased, human-caused fire frequencies.

It was a cool morning that allowed me to make quick work of the notorious clime out of Hauser canyon. Some say this climb is the worst a thru-hiker needs to complete before San Jacinto and is why most hikers camp at Hauser. The cool morning along with my desire to destroy a breakfast burrito in Lake Morena kept me going at a fairly good pace.

The Lake Morena Malt Shop is a must stop on the PCT and provides an excellent opportunity to eat some real food and have a cold drink. The burrito certainly hit the spot.

I left town and happens upon two trail angels handing out cold drinks. I could not resist. They hiked the PCT in 2021 and shared some stories of their experience during the first post COVID year.

Along the path I came across a San Diego county employee who was doing tick surveilance. He said the ticks in the area are not too bad and has only found one today. Very few of the ticks they test have Lyme but I’m sure they carry other diseases.

The morning clouds eventually gave way to big bright hot sunny skies as I came into Boulder Oaks campground. My plan had been to hike about another 7 miles all up hill to Cibbets Camp ground. I was feeling sore and tired and the beginnings of a blister on my right foot. So I decided to do something I rarely do and stop here for the night and enjoy an afternoon of relaxing. What a strange concept.

I’m camped here with 5 other hikers and have only seen 4 or 5 others go by. Certainly does not feel crowded out here. As luck would have it another trail angel drove by and handed out more cold drinks. A DOUBLE TRAIL angel day!This trail angel is spending his first year of retirement doing trail magic. He plans on following the heard up the trail helping hikers where they need it the most. Currently he is shuttling hikers from San Diego to the Southern Terminus then pops by some of the more popular camp sites on his way back.

Definitely some interesting people out here including A 71 year old who used to fish king crab in the bearing sea and knows most of the people that were in Deadliest Catch. Quote of the day came from this 18 year old hiking the trail in jeans, no cell phone, beat up backpack, home hardware tarp and cowboy hat. “Going to a concert and filming the whole thing on your phone is basically the same as going to a Shakespeare play and writing it all down.” Smart kid.

Tomorrow will be an even earlier day with a 1000 plus meter climb to get to Mount Laguna!