Day 1 - Miles 0-11:  Southern Terminus to Camp Spot at Mile 11.4.  We camped the night at Camp CLEEF in Campo, California on December 6th, 2024.  On the 7th, we met our friends at the Southern Terminus at 6am, took some pictures, put our hands through the border wall, and hit the trail by 6:30.  After a break at Mile 4.4, we started what turned out to basically be another 7 miles of climbing.  We learned that the PCTA Map and AllTrails do not quite line up...  We camped at Mile 11.4 for the night.

Day 2 - Miles 11-20:  Camp Spot at Mile 11.4 to Lake Morena.  After a night under the stars, we took our time with breakfast and packing up to start again.  It was a fun descent to Hauser Creek, fairly steep though the last mile down.  Lunch at Hauser Creek was relaxing, before starting the climb up and out of the canyon.  Once you hit the top though, it's still a long way to town.  Once you hit town, it's about a 1/4 mile down the road to Oak Shores Malt Shop where you can get a nice tasty meal.

Day 3 - Miles 20-26:  Lake Morena to Boulder Oaks Campground...  We reserved a couple campsites at Lake Morena to park the cars for a couple nights and started our out-n-back weekend hike.  The trail leaving Lake Morena is nice and wide for the first two miles or so, then you start the gradual climb. to about 3,450 feet where there are spectacular views.  Cottonwood Creek was dry under the bridge, but flowing pretty well at the crossing just after Mile 25.5.  We camped at Boulder Oaks where it dropped to about 20F overnight, but Camp Host Cinderelli took good care of us showing us where to gather firewood, bringing us boiling water and even an extra blanket for one of our campers. 

Day 4 - Miles 26-30:  Boulder Oaks Campground to Kitchen Creek Road.  This is a nice stead climb all the way from Boulder Oaks to the road.  We dropped packs at our campsite at Mile 28.8, then went out & back to Mile 30.2.  Once we were back at camp, we went down to the creek, refilled our waters, and played around for a bit.  Miles 0-30 complete!

Day 5 - Miles 30-41:  Kitchen Creek Road to Burnt Rancheria.  We made this a day hike and seemed to be climbing for the entire 11 miles.  We did this section in April '25 and water was flowing nicely at Long Canyon Creek, but the spigots were shut off at Burnt Rancheria.  We ended the day at the Pine House Cafe with a burger & beer...  Their bean burger is phenomenal!

Day 6 - Miles 41-54: Burnt Ranceria to Camp Spot at Mile 54.7.  It was such a beautiful day, but very windy especially as the afternoon went on.   Water looked good at Penny Pines and at Pioneer Mail.  We got to check out a memorial for bikers who have lost their lives on the Sunrise Highway near Kwaamii Point that was quite humbling.  CamperTex & I got a little rain that night at camp.

Day 7 - Miles 54-66: Camp Spot to Camp Spot.  Just CamperTex and I for this section...  We really had to push ourselves after a 13-mile day the day before, the most we had done in one day to date.  We did meet some cool thru-hikers at the water tank and that was neat.  Folks from all over the world... Chicago, Minneapolis, Russia, & Australia!

Day 8 - Miles 66-77: Camp Spot to Scissors Crossing. This day was a real test of our endurance.  Though the net elevation gain was negative, there were still some tough climbs and our dogs were tired!  We did run out of water in the last mile, but we made it to the water cache at Scissors Crossing and the trail angels did not disappoint!  Water had never been such a welcome site!

Day 9 - Miles 77-86: Scissors Crossing to Camp Spot. After experiencing the desert with such water challenges on our last trip, we decided we would do this section at night.  We met at sundown and set out, hitting the trail as the last light of day disappeared.  The desert is such a different world at night!  This was an amazing adventure.  

Day 4.2 & 5.1 - Miles 30-26:  Kitchen Creek Road to Boulder Oaks Campground.  For the Southbound hikers, a view of the trail as we returned to the vehicles on this out & back weekend.  We woke up on Monday morning to high winds and gusts up to 40 mph.  We wasted no time having a quick breakfast and hitting the trail.  Our only hope was that the water wasn't shut off at Boulder Oaks due to the high winds... 

Day 5.2 - Miles 26-20:  Boulder Oaks Campground to Lake Morena.  After refilling our waters at Boulder Oaks, we set back out on the trail.  The winds had calmed a little by now making the hike a little easier for most.  After getting back to the vehicles, we headed over to the Oak Shores Malt Shop for a tasty treat!