Southern California
Starting: Section A3 - Lake Morena Campground
Ending:  Section A7 - Mt. Laguna

Well, my legs aren't fresh anymore. Today's miles were brutal. It was basically a hot & dry 23-mile ascent up to Mt. Laguna. Looking down at the cool inviting pools of Kitchen Creek at lunch from the exposed crest was torture.

While sitting in a tiny area of shade cast by a rock outcropping, I heard the very loud rattle of a nearby rattlesnake. I never saw it. This had an interesting effect on my hiking style. For the next hour I was paranoid: every sound was a snake, every branch or rock on the trail was a snake. I was surrounded by an Indiana Jones pit of snakes.

Met 2 other hikers (Pete & Laurie) at Fred Canyon. Had a nice rest under the live oaks by the nicely flowing creek. It was here that Pete told me his thermometer registered 90 degrees.

I continued on through the tranquil meadows of beautiful Long Canyon, finally making my 1st stealth camp near the Desert View trail.

The plan for tomorrow is to relax at the Mt. Laguna store until the PO opens at noon & bounce some gear ahead to Idyllwild…