Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - Day 8 April 15th
Day 8: Monday 15th April Barrel Spring – Aqua Caliente Creek
On waking up I was surprised to find low cloud rather than the usual clear skies. I was
in no hurry since I needed to wait until Warner Springs Post Office opened and
“Flutterby,” Fancy”, Richard and George had left by the time I had finished packing up.
The trail followed the San Jose de Valle, which was part of a large cattle ranch with its
rolling grassland. The grass was of such poor quality that it would have needed to be a
very large ranch to sustain a reasonable herd of cattle. Mist rolled over the hills with
occasional wind-driven drizzle but never enough to put on the waterproofs.
I reached Warner Springs by mid-morning and picked up my supply package from the
Post Office. I decided that I needed to reduce the weight of my pack and reluctantly sent
home the bird book and lightweight binoculars that I was carrying. As most of the birds of
North America are different from those found in Europe I had been hoping to spend quite
a lot of time bird watching, but a 2700-mile hike is not the time to be weighed down with
luxury items. I then had lunch at the Warner Springs Golf Club Grill. From my
experience in England I had expected good food at a golf club but was disappointed to get
one of the worst meal served up during my stay in the USA.
The hot springs have been used for centuries by the Cahuiilla and Cupeno Indians,
used as a base by Kit Carson in 1846 and also used as an overnight stop for the
Butterfield Stage from 1858-1861. Now they were a luxury tourist spa, which I didn’t visit.
By the time I headed up Aqua Caliente Creek it had brightened up, but it still felt cold in
the northerly breeze. The creek was dry but running higher up. This did not help me
much since the PCTA website had said that the creek was dry, but now I found that the
creek was running well, so I had carried up unnecessary water. I camped fairly early and
washed most of my clothing as well as having a much-needed bath in the creek.
Day 8: 14.8 miles 5.32 hours Camp: Aqua Caliente Creek
On waking up I was surprised to find low cloud rather than the usual clear skies. I was
in no hurry since I needed to wait until Warner Springs Post Office opened and
“Flutterby,” Fancy”, Richard and George had left by the time I had finished packing up.
The trail followed the San Jose de Valle, which was part of a large cattle ranch with its
rolling grassland. The grass was of such poor quality that it would have needed to be a
very large ranch to sustain a reasonable herd of cattle. Mist rolled over the hills with
occasional wind-driven drizzle but never enough to put on the waterproofs.
I reached Warner Springs by mid-morning and picked up my supply package from the
Post Office. I decided that I needed to reduce the weight of my pack and reluctantly sent
home the bird book and lightweight binoculars that I was carrying. As most of the birds of
North America are different from those found in Europe I had been hoping to spend quite
a lot of time bird watching, but a 2700-mile hike is not the time to be weighed down with
luxury items. I then had lunch at the Warner Springs Golf Club Grill. From my
experience in England I had expected good food at a golf club but was disappointed to get
one of the worst meal served up during my stay in the USA.
The hot springs have been used for centuries by the Cahuiilla and Cupeno Indians,
used as a base by Kit Carson in 1846 and also used as an overnight stop for the
Butterfield Stage from 1858-1861. Now they were a luxury tourist spa, which I didn’t visit.
By the time I headed up Aqua Caliente Creek it had brightened up, but it still felt cold in
the northerly breeze. The creek was dry but running higher up. This did not help me
much since the PCTA website had said that the creek was dry, but now I found that the
creek was running well, so I had carried up unnecessary water. I camped fairly early and
washed most of my clothing as well as having a much-needed bath in the creek.
Day 8: 14.8 miles 5.32 hours Camp: Aqua Caliente Creek
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Fancy and Flutterby
San Hose del Valle