Day 4 – 26 Mar 19. Mt Laguna Resupply and Windy Night
I had anther restless night, though not as bad as the night before. I looked at the thermometer at around 0200 and it was sitting at 0 degrees C. Once again I was warm in my bag. I had to reinflate my mattress twice during the night when I could start to feel the ground underneath me. Definitely some thing to sort out on my zero day.
I woke up at 0700 and lay for a little while before deciding to get up. Once again I was right on 1 hour for my morning routine.
I left at 0815 and was walking in the shade on the west of the hill. There was a steady drop to a valley where several groups had camped. I saw Marble so stopped for a chat and to confirm the best option for getting into Mt Laguna.
I continued on until the trail crossed the small stream where I stopped to get some water. Now there was a steady climb and my body was feeling pretty good. I could not feel the blisters on my toes.
Beautiful Madrona Tree
It was starting to get hot from the climb but that is the last time I felt hot all day. The trail climbed steadily before slowly descending into some pine forest and into the Cleveland National Park.
The trail joined with the Desert View Trail and to start with I was not sure why it had that name but then the trail turned a corner and there was an amazing view of the hills dropping steeply to a perfectly flat valley floor of what I assume is desert.
Beautiful Madrona Tree
N
ot long after that was the turnoff to Mt Laguna Store. There was an earlier turnoff to enter the town from the south and this way goes to the restaurant then the store. I did not choose this option as it was longer to get to the store and back to the trail.
I turned off the trail up a short rough track to a carpark and picnic tables. Then I followed the road to exit the picnic area and turned left heading slightly downhill to get to the Store.
Just outside the store Patrick was sitting waiting for the Post Office to open. Many of the hikers send themselves a resupply package here I thought about it but decided to just buy what I needed from the store despite being a little expensive. It was still cheaper than sending a package and I only needed a couple of dinners and some more snacks.
I dumped my pack near the door and two guys started chatting. They commenting on my pack and were surprised I made it myself. They then asked if I was the New Zealand Girl as they had been told about me by other people. I am becoming famous, for my nationality if nothing else.
I did my shopping and brought a drink and some chips to have now. I sat eating and talking with the two guys who were called Sam and Travis. Sam was getting married in a couple of weeks, having a quick honeymoon then back on the trail, definitely an understanding Fiancée. Travis gave me some good advice on an alternate bear can.
Once I finished I headed back to the picnic area, made the most of a proper toilet and filled up some water. 1 hour and 20 minutes after leaving the trail I was back. I caught up to Curtis (not used to using the trail name Magic). We chatted for a while, talking about bad sleep each night and his issues with his feet. He was going to rest more so I continued on, still being fresh from the town stop.
My knees were a little achy but after an hour they came right. The trail was still in the pines and I could hear a knocking on wood which I assumed was a woodpecker. I saw a bird from a distance that might have been one but could not get close enough.
As it looked like the pines were finishing about 30 minutes later I had a break in the shade.
The trail emerged back into the normal scrub and the track was in lovely condition. It slowly climbed then went along the side of a hill to a saddle.
There looked to be a nice view to the right so I went off trail to have a look and it was spectacular. Steep rugged hills dropping to the flat desert floor. I was tempted to set up my tent but it was very windy so I continued.
Now there were a few short ups and downs before a steady drop near a road. I was hoping to get some water at the little streams but the first one was bone dry. The second one was dry above the track but had a trickle below so I was able to get another half litre to make my camp a little more comfortable.
Really thick bark
Foster Point detour
The trail was now below a road winding in and out of the gulleys. Near some trees I saw Patrick and was tempted to stop but it was pretty close to the road so I decided to continue.
Woodpecker
Coming out of some of the gulleys I could see down to the valley floor and I was really loving the views. My left shin started to make itself felt so I stopped and did some stretches which helped.
As the track turned away from the road I was on the lookout for a campsite. I wanted one with a view and not too windy. I ended up continuing up the next hill and then found a tiny site with a great view and not too much wind. I squeezed my tent into the spot. There are bushes under my tent flaps at the front and back but none near my tent floor. It was pretty rocky but that is the advantage of an inflatable mattress, you do not have to be too fussy with your site. I find even more so with a good footprint that gives extra protection to my tent. I think using a footprint is why I can still use a 2014 tent with over 5000 km on it.
View from inside tent
Once I settled in I relaxed doing odd jobs and fluffing around on my phone and with my maps. I was surprised that no one came past. I had seen no one on the trail since Andrew at 1250 and no one else except for Patrick at his tent.
I had one more little blister near the nail of my big toe
The wind increased during the evening but I had already put rocks over my pegs so I was not worried. It was holding at 10 degrees Celsius at 2000 so I was hoping it would be a warmer night.
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