When I left Mt. Laguna, I told myself I was going to take it easy for a few days and that’s exactly what I did. I kept my mileage within 10 miles or so to allow my body to adjust.
Soaking my feet in a cool spring after calling it a day.
Most of the time I arrived at camp around 2-3pm even though I had taken my time during the day. Honestly, it was pretty frustrating. My mind was ready for 20 mile days and my body needed to catch up! I did cross mile 50 within my first week, though, despite my physical setbacks and double zero days.
Finally–50 miles down!
I hiked alone for the next few days since Perk had gotten ahead during my time at Mt. Laguna. I knew I would eventually catch him, though, and sometimes solitude is just what a person needs. Being alone gave me time to think about happiness, sadness, the past, the future, solutions, voluntarism, self-reliance, small business opportunities, gardening, language, music, and life in general. Without the distractions of everyday life, your mind is allowed to wander freely. Analyzing what tends to surface isn’t always a bad thing–sometimes we push away thoughts instead of working through them and allowing them to be completed.
One of the many mysteries of the desert that will leave your mind wandering.
Lack of conversation while hiking also allowed me to truly start appreciating the beauty of the desert. I’m a big Louis L’Amour fan and I was obsessed with the Young Guns movies when I was a little girl, so submerging myself in that scenery was surreal in a way.
California desert
Just before mile 70, the hiker “bubble” behind me began to catch up. I camped with a record number of 15 people the night before I went into town again. Cooking dinner with others and being able to socialize was a nice change.
California sunrise
The following morning, I had the option of going to Julian or Stagecoach. The hotels in Julian appeared to be pricey and Stagecoach seemed like it might be an interesting stop, so I decided to check out the latter.
Stagecoach minimalistic lodging.
Inside the wagon at Stagecoach.
I had never slept in a wagon before, but there’s a first time for everything! Stagecoach offered minimalistic lodging in these wagons or you could opt to camp. There were public restrooms, showers and even a pool! The pool was a little too cold to swim in, but it sure felt good to sore feet and knees. I also made a point to use some Epsom salts on my slightly swollen knees.
My Nanny always said, “Epsom salts cure what ails ya!”
Ice cold water is good for the joints.
The next morning, I remembered that the benefit of Julian over Stagecoach was the free pie offered to thru-hikers at Mom’s Pie Shop. I knew I should really get back to the trail, but I asked myself “what kind of thru-hiker would I be if I turned down free pie and a chance for coffee?” My answer was pretty obvious when I found myself hitching a ride to Julian.
“Let’s see if this thing still works.”
After about 15 minutes of thumbing, a nice man pulled over to give me a ride. He was a local to the area and also an outdoors enthusiast. One of the best parts of hitchhiking is hearing the stories of the people you meet along the way. After about 12 miles of winding roads, he dropped me off right in front of Momma’s.
Mom’s – Julian, CA
Boysenberry Pie & Vanilla Ice Cream
I finally returned to the trail head in the early afternoon and boy was it a long, hot climb out of Scissors Crossing! I have to admit, though, the pie and ice cream were completely worth my delayed return to the trail. In fact, I still occasionally think about that pie while hiking.
In the next several days, I saw people quit the trail and go home, witnessed trail families forming, heard trail names being assigned and observed the excitement of new backpacking experiences in the eyes of my fellow thru-hikers. I expected it all, as I had seen these things occur within the first 100 miles of my AT thru-hike. It was different for me this time, though, because I knew it was coming and sometimes prior knowledge can be bittersweet. In this instance, I didn’t stress out when I saw fellow hikers decide a thru-hike wasn’t for them. I didn’t wonder what came over them or fear I’d be next like I had before. I did, however, miss the feeling of experiencing the thru-hiking lifestyle for the first time. In a way I felt like a sophomore/junior in high school coming back after summer break and seeing all of the freshmen so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; it was just different. I told myself before I started that the PCT would be a separate experience and that it would never be what the AT was–and it shouldn’t be! I couldn’t help but think of my AT tramily at times, though.
Because my knees were doing much better, I finally started to pick up the pace and it felt great! The blisters under my toenails had healed and the chaffing on my thighs had subsided. My trail legs were even slowly returning, and I felt like I was finally making progress when I crossed over mile 100! I only had to do that again 26 more times–no big deal, right?
Cheesin’ at mile 100.
The next morning, I woke up to a pile of texts from my family and friends wishing me a happy birthday. I honestly didn’t feel 31 years old that morning, but according to my birth certificate, it’s true. It just so happened that several of us hikers were heading into Warner Springs that day to camp at the community center and they luckily had a restaurant and bar! Talk about perfect timing.
During the 10-mile stretch remaining before town, we passed one of the well-known PCT attractions called “Eagle Rock.” I wondered why it was titled that until I approached the formation and it became blatantly obvious.
Eagle Rock – “I want to fly like an eagle”
Once I hit the Warner Springs Community Center, I set up my tent, bathed my body and clothes from a bucket and drank a cup of coffee. To my surprise, Perk had been there just a couple days before and had remembered my birthday. He was sweet enough to leave me a card and some cash so I could have a birthday meal on him! You can’t find better friends than that, and I admittedly cried when I opened the card.
Approaching Warner Springs Community Center
A sweet card from my AT buddy, Perk.
A group of us went to dinner that evening and had a wonderful time. We laughed, joked and told stories of things we had seen or experienced on trail. Throughout the night, I studied the people around me and realized how different all of us were. There were men and women; Australians, Germans and Americans; young people and older folks. Although many of us had more differences than commonalities, we were all in this rigorous adventure together. As the group sang “Happy Birthday” to me that night, it really made me flash back to the day I turned 29-years old on the Appalachian Trail. I could see in my mind all the familiar hiker faces from the past so vividly and then slowly I came back to the present with new friends in front of me.
April 14, 2015 – Nantahala Outdoor Center
April 14, 2017 – Warner Springs
Although I was missing my AT tramily, I realized you can find good people wherever you go. While reminiscing and enjoying memories isn’t bad, you simply can’t live in the past without sacrificing your enjoyment of the present. Everyday is a new adventure and life really is what you make of it, so we have to remember to embrace the moment and truly make every day count…and it’s never too late to start!
Below are some additional moments I captured from this stretch of trail:
Thank you for following my journey! Until next time–Happy Trails!
-Dixie
Nice gallery- thank you for sharing!
Thank you, John!
Thank you so much for sharing keep up the great hike I hope one day you put all this In a book it’s is so good so thank you again for sharing
I definitely will! Thank you so much for following and cheering me on 🙂
We are enjoying your adventures a lot keep it up
Thank y’all! 🙂
We love following your journey! Happy birthday!!
Thank you, Robin!
Happy Trails Dixie, thank you for sharing, this trail is on my bucket list, stay safe
That’s wonderful to hear, Ed! When I get done if you have any questions I might be able to help 🙂
Love your updates and videos. Happy hiking!
Thank you, Tina!
Thank you for sharing! What a great post with a sprinkle of wisdom. The Power of Now. 🙂
Thank you, Jeff! Learning as I go 🙂
Dixie I am really enjoying your journey and insights. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I was also hoping you could share the name of your umbrella. … Happy trails!! Tracey
Hey Tracey! Thank you 🙂 The umbrella I have is this one:
https://homemadewanderlust.com/gear-item-week-swing-trek-umbrella/
Great 2nd chapter of the epic story of “Dixie hikes the PCT” Looking forward to chapter 3!
You’ve inspired me to walk the AT hopefully in 2018. Thanks for all the wonderful experiences you share with all of us! It’s already changed my life so much and I haven’t even started! Much love!
That’s so wonderful to hear!! Thank you 🙂
I have just finished watching your AT journey xx and I am loving sharing your PCT journey. You truly have a gift for documenting and sharing, but with complete honesty, humbleness and humour. I feel a little bit like a stalker!! but I look forward to DIXIE WEDNESDAY as it makes me smile and dream!. I am at the very beginning…(the dreaming part). Thank you for reigniting what was always there inside me all along…the inner hiker xx Happy trails xx Much Love
Thank you, Sara! All of us out here on the trail had that little push in our lives to get us here at some point. If I can be that for one person I’ll feel like I’ve paid it forward. Keep dreaming and planning and before you know it you’ll find your feet on the trail!
I know you are busy hiking, but I had a few questions? in particular the pack. how are you finding the new one? I was going to purchase the osprey, as I suffer with my back and bruise very easily! So I liked the padding and support and the anti gravity system?. Or as it may be a few years before I am able to hit the trail, am I best just putting money by, in case lighter and better packs come out?.
Also what do you use as a towel after showering? Are they provided at most places and if not what do you do?
As I have already stated, I have young children, so it may be a few years before I get to finally fulfil my dream to hike the PCT. I planned to buy bits of equipment as I get the funds, but similar to the pack question, am I better just putting money by? (I just worry that I may spend it!!!) Life has a funny way of throwing things at us, that would mean raiding hiking funds!!??
Thirdly, I noticed you don’t hike with hiking trousers. was this really cold in the snow? As I hike in the UK I tend to follow the layering system and wondered if this was sensible for a thru hike? Or would that be too heavy and over kill?
I am taking my children camping next weekend, and I plan to hike to the top of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain)in Scotland by the end of the month, so will at least get to get back to nature and hit a trail, even if it’s just for 2 days xxx
I love that you are making plans already and I’m sure your kids are enjoying the trips out to enjoy nature! To answer your questions, it might not hurt to just save up while you keep researching gear. Things get better/lighter all the time. I do love my new pack but it doesn’t carry higher weight as well as the osprey, so it will depend on your base weight. It hasn’t been cold hiking in the snow. I’ll have a gear video out for the Sierras section that should help with those questions! I hope that helps. Keep dreaming and saving and your time will come!
Ome Gosh me too. So looking forward to the next video on Wednesday. I’ve been binge listening to so many videos. I’m heading up to the Sierras in August, I would love to run into you. Very happy trails to you!????
Hi Jessica,
It is such a pleasure following your PCT adventure. Your video’s are amazing have continued to get better with the special effects like the slow motion video and close up pictures. Wish you safe travels as you begin the Sierras.
Thank you, Wayne! I think we’re all gonna need those well wishes this year 😛
Dixie, great stuff! The video quality and editing is absolutely amazing! You probably shared this sometime earlier, but are you using the iPhone7 plus to capture these pictures and videos? They are really stunning! Do you still have someone producing the finished videos for you because it’s probably the most polished production of thru hiking videos I’ve ever seen, even better than Spielberg (sorry Craig!). Would love to know as about all of that as you care to share sometime in the future for those of us who are planning thru hikes who would like to vlog with this level of quality. Hike on and be safe in the Sierras!
Thank you, Steve! I am just using my iPhone 7. I do have a macro lens attachment you can read about in the Gear Item of the Week section. A friend back home edits the videos and posts them. I just record and upload the clips into Dropbox. Hope that helps!
Dixie, I am so enjoying following your journey and love how you have been giving us a 360 degree view by combining personal stories, natural wonders
– both micro and macro, and capturing trail life. Your chronicles are very professionally done and are that of high quality documentaries. Stay safe and looking forward to your next updates.
WOW! Thank you so much Glenn 🙂
Keep on taking those pictures and posting them! Love it! And let me know how that tent handles the rain if you ever get any! ????????????
“you simply can’t live in the past without sacrificing your enjoyment of the present.” ~ by Dixie
I’ll take these words with me.
Thank you for share your hikes, thoughts and tips etc.
Hugs,
Linda from Sweden
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your inspirational journey.
Take care out there.
Looks like you are having a blast! Love the pictures. Speaking of sleeping in wagons…how cool! There is a little place around here (Fort Hood, Texas area) that you can sleep in a wagon, almost looks like the same set up as your wagon picture! Told my husband about it and he wants to go sleep in a wagon now lmao!
Hey Dixie,
Thanks so much for sharing your adventures! My 11 yr old son and I began preparing for his first Boy Scout trek about the same time we discovered your PCT thru hike. Your AT hike and all of your videos and posts have been very inspiring and helpful to our learning about backpacking!
Good luck out there. – Ryan
Thank you! That’s so great to hear 🙂 My little brother’s are both Eagle Scouts now–I can’t say enough good things about what that organization did for them. I hope your son has a great time with wonderful memories to come!
Hey Dixie! Loving your perspective so far on this journey! Reading and watching lots of reports that the Sierras are much more dangerous than usual this year. Lots of groups are skipping to come back and hike when it is safer, so be careful and safe! And if you need anything when you reach the Portland, OR area let me know! I would be happy to help if I can!
I really enjoy your writing style and look forward to your your book on the A.T. and hopefully one on the P.C.T. as well.
For sure! Thanks so much 🙂
I recently discovered you from your AT hike…because it’s something I want to do… A dream if you would…but I have never ever done an overnight hike… you give us all some hope… Now just need to figure out how to do it… I am loving the PCT trail footage…It’s so beautiful
Have been dreaming of a long distance hike for the last decade or more. Now I’m middle aged and want it more than ever while my feet and back problems get worse. SO enjoying your youtube videos and blog! Back about ten years ago I used to transcribe daily journals from AT hikers to post on trailjournals.com Read everything I could get my hands on about LDH. Life is passing me by and I struggle to figure out ways to make this a possibility. Then I saw your youtube video from Baden Powell and lordddd have mercy! If that wasn’t a motivation. SO beautiful!! Are you planning on the CDT next??? Hike on ‘bama girl in healthy and safety. Love and hugs from a Mississippi neighbor.
Awww, thank you! Get out there and go for it 🙂 I am planning to do the CDT hopefully next year!
Love the blgo! Thanks for sharing
Doug!
Thanks for your notes on the trail Jessica. Besides the side trips for pie, pizza, etc. 🙂 can you tell me the direct trail mileage from Mt. Laguna Fire Station/Campgrounds to Warner Springs? Thanks – SEAHUND
I’m not sure if we are thinking of the same area, but the spur trail to Burnt Rancheria camp grounds is 41.5 and Hwy 79 at Warner Springs is 109.5. Guthooks app is great for smart phones! It will help with all the mileage’s and you can buy just the So Cal section 🙂