PCT Trail Journal: Mt Laguna to Mile 56.2 (Miles 48.7 to 56.2) Overview

Sleep was ok for it being a cold night. My gear kept me nice and warm and it felt good. There was 3x trail magic today:

✨Fresh fruit from the trail angels in the campground

✨Tons of bars from the same folks

✨Annette and Diane at Pioneer Mills Picnic Area

It started with a nice walk in a pine forest. My feet were feeling ok in the beginning. After 6 miles the feet started acting up again. Mainly my pinky toe was hurting. The heels were feeling ok.

My feet were really starting to hurt but I was still enjoying the trail. I didn’t think about quitting one time. I really like being out here. The trail is so nice. I just wish my feet were better.

I switched over to my camp shoes and that felt better on my heals. I walked in them for the rest of the day (almost 6 miles).

At pioneer mill picnic area there were amazing trail angels, Diane and Annette. They had a whole spread and I definitely felt better after sitting there for a little bit. I couldn’t eat anything because I just ate a bunch of food. But I took a bunch of snacks. Their generosity was amazing. One of them said that they lay awake at night worrying about PCT hikers. So sweet.

A ranger came. She said she was a crest runner just working on the PCT. It is her job to check permits and educate folks on fire. She checked all of our permits and signed them.

The hike out of the picnic area was amazing. It was on the edge of the mountain overlooking the desert. The views were great. I absolutely loved that area of the trail. That and the trail angels picked up my mood a lot. My feet were hurting so bad.

I hobbled the remaing 5 miles to a campsite next to a stream. Two guys I camped next to last night were there. Slowly tons of other thru-hikers came and the site is completely packed. Tents on top of tents.

Dib, guy from Amsterdam, gave me Compeed things for my blisters. I lanced them and then put on the compeed pads. They feel so much better.

I had a fun afternoon hanging out at camp with other thru-hikers.  We operated on our feet, ate dinner, and laughed a lot.

 Read about my day 3 on the PCT here. 

Read my other Trail Journals

✨Day 3: Boulder Oaks Campground to Mt. Laguna

✨Day 5: Mile 56.2 to Mile 68.4

✨3 Things I’m Grateful For

1. Win and Steve – I loved hiking with them

2. Trail angels and trail magic

3. The compeed pads from Dib

✨3 Things I’m Excited About

1. Going to Julian.

2. Hiking more with my feet feeling better.

3. Hiking the rest of this trail.

🌟How Was Today? Did I enjoy it?

It was a hard day but I enjoyed it. I was suffering but didn’t want to leave. I just want my feet better. I love being on the trail. The hiking is so good.

⛺How Was My Gear?

So happy with my sleep system. It was cold last night and I stayed warm. I am grateful for my campshoes and being able to hike in them.

💪How did my Body Feel?

My right neck/shoulder was really hurting. Maybe when this happens I should take a break.

🍴How was my food situation?

I ate so much food from trail angels. Fruit in the morning. Then grabbed bars. And then got more food at the picnic area. I am out of lunch food but have a lot of snacks.

Read my other Trail Journals

✨Day 3: Boulder Oaks Campground to Mt. Laguna

✨Day 5: Mile 56.2 to Mile 68.4

Map for Hiking the PCT

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