PCT 2022| CALIFORNIA | DAY 5 Mt Laguna to Mile 61.5
Miles Hiked: 19.9 miles
Elevation: 2128 ft ascent | 3292 ft descent
Oh what a day! I left Mt Laguna around 7:30 and made my way to the trail. My goal was to get just beyond the Sunrise water source, one of the last sources before Julian. Today was weird. For the past few days, it has been constant leap-frogging with other hikers. So many people. Today: no one. It wasn’t until the Pioneer picnic area that I finally saw others: James, Ian, and a few others. They had experienced the same. After a break in the shade and some lunch, I filtered some water and moved forward. The miles came and went rather easily. Today I passed the 50 mile mark!
Soon, I reached the junction for Sunrise Trailhead. I picked up half a liter of water and continued on. Only 0.2 miles to go. I got there and thought…keep going. So I did. Approximately 2 more miles for a total of 19.9—the furthest I have ever hiked in a day. Basically a 20 mile day!
There were two others at camp. I quickly set up my tent and made dinner before the sun set. There was no wind and it was so warm. All I wanted to do was snuggle into my quilt, but as soon as I did, I felt like I was roasting. Eventually, sleep camp and the dreams of town crept in.
