PCT 2000 - Jim Bruton

May

Watch here for my trail journal and maybe even some pictures. I'm leaving Campo May 27th. This is considered by most to be about four weeks past the optimum time to start. As a result I will be battling high heat and scarce water.

Click on any of the thumbnails to see the full image.

Postcard rendering of the PCT map

Click here to spot sites from which Jim has contacted the "outside world."

27 May

5/26/00 approx. 10:30 am - me @ southern terminus marker.

10:34 am: Starting the PCT from the monument @ Campo. Ralph Lucas dropped me off. It feels unreal to find myself actually on the trail again, only this time to go all the way to Canada.

The border patrol sent two vehicles by just to look us over.

Ralph took my picture - it's time to start - I'm late - like 4 weeks late.

10:55 am: I started down the hill, but I came back to savor the moment a little better. I am picking up a rock to carry to Canada.

12:52 pm: Stopped by running stream. Sunny day w/ breezes. Physically feeling slightly odd - from heat?

8:16 pm: Stopping for the night @ Hauser Creek, which is dry. I have about a litre of water to make it the 5 miles to Lake Morena.

First days are always hell, and this one was no exception. I sheltered in the shade for about 90 min. in the middle of the day. I' m tired & a little sore, particularly the soles of my feet, but I'm feeling good otherwise. Made good 15 miles today - not bad for a first day with an 11 am departure!

28 May

7:07 am: Late start.

9:39 am: Arr. Lk. Morena.

8:32 pm: Just crawled into tent. A mile or so N. Of I-8. Was suffering from dehydration when I got to Lk. Morena. I spent 5 hrs. there recuperating. Am now carrying 8 liters of water as insurance - but it sure is heavy.

29 May

6:53 am: Another late start, but at least I was up at 5:30 this time.

10:03 am: First rattle snake of the summer!

7:08 pm: I arrived @ Mt. Laguna P. O. about 2:45, but had forgotten that it's Memorial Day. So now I'm camped out near the trail, a stealth camp, to await the morning. I'm feeling like I'm starting to get into shape - the first two days were agony. Now I'm feeling stronger.. The next sixty miles will be difficult due to scarce water- especially the twenty miles near the end, the San Felipe Hills.

30 May

5/30/00 3:06 pm a mile or two north of Pioneer Mail, Mt. San Jacinto on horizon.

Met Eric (didn't get last name) at PO in morning. Trekked from Mt. Laguna to a windy camp on a ridge about a mile short of the jeep road to Cayamuka Reservoir. Met Fer & Loes, "the Dutch Duo," from the Netherlands at Pioneer Mail Trailhead, where there is still water in the tank. We shared impressions & memories of the Appalachian Trail. They write books about their hikes in the Dutch language. We talked about how the PCT differs from the AT & I gathered they are not accolites of Ray Jardine, whose last name Fer pronounces in the French way - very amusing.

31 May

5/31/00 9:55 am this burn area on the approach to Rodriguez Spur Truck Trail is the same one I photographed 2 yrs. ago, just one week after it burned.

11:58 am: At Rodriguez Spur Truck Trail, about 25 minutes downhill at the spring, which I was happy to find running strong. 9 miles to go to Scissors Crossing, & I think I'll hang out here 'till 2 or so before starting out. The day is warm- maybe mid-80s? - & breezy like yesteday. All in all, pretty pleasant.

7:13 pm: Found water cache at Scissors Crossing - thanks to the trail angels responsible.

7:41 pm: Stopping for the night just as the last beams of sun fall on the peaks to my east. At a trailside clearing just north 200 yd.s or so from route 78. Will awake at 3:30 to start day crossing San Felipe Hills.

Last updated on 2000.09.09.

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