Day 3 – CibbettsCG to Mt Laguna

Mile Marker: 42.6

Trail Miles: 10

Walked Miles: 12

Winds woke me up at 0200. We were in the trees but the winds were strong enough to have loosened several tent stakes. Will have to use rocks in the future with winds. I worked on the blog some until I fell back asleep.

Awoke again at 0519 to the sound of tent zippers and nylon swishing. Sandra and Diana from Switzerland were up and moving in the tent neatest me. The temp said 48 in the tent but 10 min later was 37. Hmmmmm…..4 days in a row of 37. Wonder if that’s the lowest the watch thermometer goes…. Turns out no, it said 34 deg at 0630.

The Germans and Swiss were packed and out of camp by 0622. So efficient. I was the only American up but I wasn’t the first out of camp. I’ve always been slow packing up. I will probably still be searching for a more efficient/quicker way to pack up at the Canadian border.

Started the1 mile walk from CG up to trail at 0719. It was cold but clear and sunny.

I hiked a good part alone, but ran into folks from last nights camp several times. Fell into pace with Sim from Boston. He wound up giving me my trail name (which will be revealed in a future blog).

Slim and I got to Mt Laguna about 1230 and had cell service so I called the lodge. We knew everyone from last night’s Camp was heading there so I reserved a cabin with 4 beds. We’d find 2 others to split the room with.

Check-in wasn’t til 3 so Slim and I were directed to the only restaurant open in town., the Pine House. This time of year they’re open for breakfast/lunch specifically for PCT hikers. They let you hang out and charge phones until check-in at the lodge.

Now before you think I’m too soft for “hoteling it” on Night 3, let me say at $101 (including tax) it was rather rustic and bare bones. They cater to hikers and know their clientele well. At check-in I was given 3 large buckets and styrofoam cups with something in them as well as a stern warning not to let anymore hikers stay in the room with us. I literally said out loud “No one said anything about buckets” – partly as a joke, partly because I truly didn’t know what they were for. My check-in warning continued (kinda felt like a lecture from my Dad) – the buckets were for washing clothes, feet, whatever we wanted, but under no circumstance was the water to be dumped in the sink or tub — at which point I was relieved to know the room had a tub/shower. The styrofoam cups contained laundry detergent. When I pointed out there were 4 of us and only 3 buckets, I was told to make it work. ( I felt like a prissy novice on her first thru hike as soon as the words left my mouth.)

I picked up my first resupply box with 3 1/2 days worth of food. By now I’d realized I was overpacking on food. This was countered by the fact I underestimated the time it would take to get to Warner Springs. So it worked out.

The rest of the night was spent washing clothes in the buckets and finding creative ways to hang-dry said clothes in the cold mountain air. -Slim strung a clothes line up in the room once the sun set.

I got a shower (hot water and soap, no shampoo) and tried to figure out where and how to get water the next 4 days. It’s 67 miles to Warner Springs across the Anza-Borrega Desert in this section. Water availability determines everything.)

I made dinner dinner and shared it with Slim. The portions I packed are too large for this stage. Perhaps when my hiker hunger kicks in and I’m cranking out the miles, they will be the right size. Dinner was Tortellini with rehydrated Boboli pizza sauce and texturized vegetable protein (TVP). TVP is made from soybeans, is lightweight, comes dehydrated and a decent source of protein. I’d never eaten it before, so it was a bit of a gamble.

Lights out about 8:30pm. We were all pretty tired.

Day 3 food:

Bfast: Powdered milk with soy vanilla protein powder and my slightly over cooked Wolfcreek granola recipe. (This batch of granola was left in the oven a little too long.). Milk didn’t get rid of over cooked. slightly burned taste, but it softened up enough to not break a tooth after sitting a few minutes . I know what will be in every hiker bin from now on.

Lunch: Pine House Cafe BBQ Chicken sandwich and hot chocolate

Dinner: Totrllin w/pizza sauce and TVP