Southern California
Starting: Section A8 - Pioneer Mail Picnic Area
Ending:  Section A11 - San Felipe Creek

The winds of yesterday finally died down around 4 am. I woke up around 7, broke camp, & headed out. Conditions were ideal: crystal clear blue skies, cool breeze, 68 degrees. I did 10 miles by 10:30 where I again ran into Pete & Laurie (Pete provided temperature info-he has a lot of gadgets).

Passed Pete & Laurie going up Mason Valley cutoff road. Temperatures steadily rose as I approached Rodriguez Spur. Upon reaching the spur, I finally got a good view of the "detour" ahead. The PCT was originally planned to follow the ridge of the lush, green forested Volcan mountains, but due to legal/public/private land issues, it detours through a dangerously hot & dry desert section.

The rest of the day was brutal. 9 hot miles on the flanks of Granite Mountain, then across the searing valley floor. When I finally saw the water cache at scissors crossing (THANK YOU!!) I almost cried. Slightly dazed, I rested in one of the chairs for an hour before continuing on. Made camp shortly after under a large cottonwood which offered a view of the notorious San Felipe hills I have to climb tomorrow.

Sweet dreams...