PCT 2022| CALIFORNIA | DAY 1 Southern Terminus to Hauser Creek
Miles Hiked: 15.4 miles
Elevation: 1713 ft ascent | 2304 ft descent
Day 1 is finally here. The day I have been dreaming of for so many years. The first few miles flew by and before I knew it, I was at the first (and only) water source. There are a few hikers filtering water and more start to hike down to the stream, surrounded by poison ivy. I wondered how long I would see these hikers. Would they eventually be my trail family? Although I still had plenty of water, I drank a liter, ate a snack, and filtered water for the next 15 or so miles to Lake Morena.
Soon, the first real climb of the trail began and the heat of the sun started to set in. It would only get hotter over the next several weeks in the desert. I slowly make my way up the trail, leap-frogging with multiple hikers. I find a large boulder providing the perfect shaded spot for lunch. I originally planned to hike 11.4 miles and despite having a later than planned start, I arrived at camp at 3:30PM. It was the heat of the day and hours of sunlight left. I sat under the trees with two other hikers, hiding from the sun. There was no one at camp. I had two choices: wait for hours for other hikers to filter in and set up camp or continue to Hauser Creek. Between a little peer encouragement, not wanting to sit around for hours, and the fact that the rest was down hill…
I decided to hike the addition 4 miles (mostly) downhill to Hauser Creek. That way the climb out was done first thing in the morning while it was still cool. I am very happy with my decision, despite some sore feet on Day 1 (they felt fine by Day 2).
I met close to a dozen other hikers, many international (a happy sight, as many could not hike the last two years due to travel restrictions).
Flash forward: What an amazing first few days it has been! It feels so good to be back out on trail. It takes some time to get back into the groove, but each day feels a little bit better. The heat (or rather sun, as temperature wise it has not been bad) has been brutal, but mornings have been cool and foggy most days. The best part: meeting new people all over again! There are so many international hikers on trail this year and I love it! Some experienced they hikers, some in the middle, and some who have never backpacked before this! If you are someone I have met on trail: HELLO and thank you for being awesome. It’s only been a few days, but it feels like so much longer. Can’t wait for what the days ahead bring.
Long water carries (10+ miles) are common in the southern section. With it being a lower snow year so far, seasonal creeks (and even some that used to be year round), are no longer reliable. It is dry. While some days the temperatures are 60-70s, it feels much warmer when fully exposed to the sun. Between mile 0 and mile 20 (Lake Morena), there is only water at 4.5 miles. At Hauser Creek, there is water if you make a 3 mile round trip walk down the dirt road. At 17.1 miles, a trail angel hikes in 4 gallons of water from Lake Morena a couple times a week, but it is empty when I pass and not something you can rely on (I met her hiking more water in, as I made my way down to Lake Morena).