Start: Mike 15.4 Hauser Creek)

End: Mile 32.6

Distance:17.2 miles (27.68)

Steps: 38392

Weather: sunny 26 degrees Celsius

It has been a long hard and hot day. I was awoken twice last night by border officers on patrol with there ATVS (at least that what I think they were). It was however cool and comfortable in my tent. At 5 am I made the decision to get out of bed, pack up and eat and was on the trail by 6. The climb up wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be but I’m definitely glad that I didn’t attempt it last night. My water situation was good but not great so I rationed my water.

I arrived in Lake Morena at 9 am and set off immediately to the “Malt Shop” for a breakfast burrito which I had heard so much about. I’m happy to say it did not disappoint. I chugged a liter of poweraid and enjoyed a cold Pepsi. I spent some time relaxing and chatting with fellow hikers before setting off to Bolder Oaks Campground which was only 6 miles away and had good water.

I walked in to Boulder Oaks at about 1 and had lunch with some of the people I had been hiking with. The decision was made to push on to Kitchen Creek to make tomorrow easier. I went to filter some water (first time I’ve had to do so since starting the trail) and unfortunately learned my filter is not working so well… but it eventually got the job done. Lesson learned here I didn’t test it before I left home but fortunately one of the few things i carry a backup for is water. I left the campground feeling like a fool and wondering if my filter did it’s job.

I ran into John just before Kitchen Creek who suggested continuing on to Cribbets Creek Camp Ground which is another almost 5 miles ahead and 0.3 miles off trail. It was a little more than I hoped to walk but it would really set me up well for Mount Laguna the next day… also my stomach isn’t feeling the best so I thought it prudent to be somewhere with a toilet… (maybe my filter didn’t do it’s job)…so I said yes. Turns out everyone that we were with made the same decision. We arrived at 8pm to Cribbets Creek and I set up my tent in the dark. I was so tired I didn’t even eat dinner.

Almost 18 miles when i add in the Non PCT miles so I’m pretty happy about that.