PCT Day 8 – Mile 94.4 to Warner Springs

by Ben Ripley | Apr 25, 2018 | Pacific Crest Trail | 1 comment

Start: PCT mile 94.4
End: Warner Springs (PCT 109.5)
Distance: 15.1
Non PCT miles: 1.4
Steps: 44372

I woke up early today and was packed up and hiking at first light. As the desert gets hotter I think I’ll be waking up even earlier and hiking until it get too hot before resting in the afternoon and resuming in the evening. This is a common strategy in the desert and the longer i spend in it I can see why. On the plus side you get to watch the sun rise as you start your day. The trick is finding shade (preferably with water) for the afternoon siesta.

The first real mile stone was today. I passed the 100 mile marker and I am very proud of myself for accomplishing this. There is a large part of the that seriously doubted my ability to get this far. As I was sitting there a group of 4 thru-hikers cams by and included me in there Trail naming “ceremony” for “Hauser Leforge”. It involves learning a quick song and we all surprised him as he turned the corner. It was funny… I swear. I got my obligatory 100 miles done photo and continued on.

The trail enters Barrel Springs which is the first water source since the third gate cache. The PCT water report says there are dead mice in the trough abut the spring that feeds the trough is clear. We all filtered and chemically treated the water. Fortunately i didn’t even have to use the water i took from there as I ended up having enough to Warner springs. Next the trail takes you through a beautiful meadow before arriving at eagle rock which is a rock that looks like an eagle. From then until Arriving in Warner springs the trail follows a creek and is forest area with lots of shade. Today I saw 4 people riding their horses on the PCT (the PCT is also an equestrian trail).

I spent most my day walking trying to sort out the next section Ahed to Idillywd and signing the songs that are stuck in my head at nauseam.

The folks at the Warner springs community Centre really go out out. There’s camping, bucket showers, bucket laundry, 24 hr washroom, an a small resupply store. It really is amazing the see these small communities come together to help us hiker trash. Most people are stuck here for the night until the post office opens so we can get out ressuply boxes. I’m hoping to add a few things into my bounce box to help reduce some of the weight in carrying but realistically it won’t be much.