PCT Trail Journal: Campo to Hauser Creek (miles 0 to 15.1) Overview

Day 1 was magic!

It started with a wonderful chill morning with my significant other and delicious breakfast. My stomach was feeling weird. Almost like I was nervous but then it felt better after eating.

We drove the hour to Campo and after the desert/farming section it got gorgeous. It was mountainous with huge boulder piles. There were trees and so many flowers. We both loved the drive. There were wildflowers blooming everywhere. There was a huge field covered. It was gorgeous.

We arrived at the border just before 11. There were a lot of other people there and a PCTA volunteer. She checked my permit and told me there was a lot of water but may want to pick up snow gear at Paradise Valley Cafe. I got my PCT badge and sticker. I love the little badge.

I walked about 4 miles and didn’t see anyone. The hiking was so nice. There were great views and the weather was perfect. This desert area is so different than other deserts I have been in. The vegetation is different and there are a lot of plants I don’t know.

There are desert lilacs blooming everywhere. In some areas it was blue everywhere. I loved it. Gorgeous!

I kept thinking how lucky I am and I love it. This is going to be fun.

There is water everywhere but no wet crossings yet. Most of them are not marked on Farout.

So Many Gorgeous New Plants to Look At!

There were a ton of other flowers blooming as well. The lupines are different here. They are more pinkish and the leaves are hairier. The succelents are pretty cool too. I think they are chicks and hens. They love growing on rocks. Amazing!

There are huge amazing yuccas blooming. They have purple edges on the flowers. So pretty. I turned a corner and saw one and totally gasped.

At one point I came around a bend and there was this beautiful farming valley. The grass was super green and the hillsides were covered in lilacs. I loved it. The scenary has been fantastic. It is totally not what I expected at all.

At around 6 miles (2 hours in) I ran out of water in my bladder (2 liters). I was getting hungry and stopped at the next water source for lunch.

Around 10 miles in, I was starting to drag and wanted to camp but on the way down to Hause Creek there were no spots.

I got to Hauser Creek and it was packed. I got a crappy slanted site and didn’t go past the river to look for another site. But I got a site!

I got my camp set up quickly and was hungry. I made some Mac n Cheese with the pizza flavoring  and olive oil. I love those olive oil packets. They taste really good.

Overall it was a superb day of hiking! I’m so lucky to get to do this trail.

✨3 Things I’m Grateful For

1. My sun umbrella! I really like it.

2. The perfect weather.

3. Having a great morning with my significant other. It was a really nice goodbye.

✨3 Things I’m Excited About

1. Getting this whole thru-hiking thing figured out.

2. Getting to Lake Morena for some food.

3. A shorter day tomorrow (potentially).

🌟How Was Today? Did I enjoy it?

It was a good day with good energy. I felt very excited on the trail and like this is a good decision. I am going to enjoy this. I was tired the last 5 miles and wish I didn’t have to hike all. But I survived!

⛺How Was My Gear?

Excellent! I really like my sun gloves. I just like wearing them and feel protected. The sun umbrella is really nice. I need to figure out how to get it attached better. I ended up holding it most of the time. The Sawyer Squeeze adapter and Cnoc bag seem pretty good.

💪How did my Body Feel?

Around 6 miles middle right back started pinching. Then by mile 10 my right neck and shoulder were killing me. The normal spot that always hurts. On the way down to Hauser Creek my left hip started pinching. Not too bad though. My feet were pretty rough by the time I got to camp. I have some blisters and hot spots. Nothing too bad. The blisters are on the callused spots. So those will just get more callused. 

🍴How was my food situation?

Good! I had a cheese and sausage sandwich with my Mom’s cookies for lunch. Then Mac n Cheese for dinner.

🤔What did I learn and how will I take action?

I did not attach my umbrella correctly to my bag and need to figure that out. I may ask someone who has something similar. 

Read Next

PCT Trail Journal: Day 2

Map for Hiking the PCT

Maps are fun. Plus you should always have a paper map.