Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - Day 18 April 25th
Day 18: Thursday 25th April Fork Springs - Road 1N96
It was back to normal weather conditions after yesterday’s rain. Today’s route
climbed 3500ft and since the next water was likely to be 20 miles away I filled my water
containers and would be carrying a heavy rucksack. “Captain Cheerio” and “Purboy”
had gone on ahead as they were trying to get to Big Bear City before the Post Office
closed on Friday afternoon. This is the disadvantage of using the Post Offices for
supplies as most of these remote Post Offices don’t open at the weekend. By the time I
stopped at 12am it was a comfortable 80ºF in the shade.
In the afternoon I went over badly on my left ankle. It says a lot for how much
better my foot has got over the last couple of years that I don’t seem to have done any
serious damage. Not a very exciting day’s walking up the chaparral-covered valley, but
there were magnificent views back to the San Jacinto Mountains from my campsite. I
camped early having only covered 12 miles, but with a lot of ascent. It was still 4 hours
to the next water.
At 8510ft it was the highest that I had camped and by 8.15pm there was already ice
forming on my tent so it would be a cold night.
Day 18: 11.9 miles 6.45 hours Camp: Road 1N96
It was back to normal weather conditions after yesterday’s rain. Today’s route
climbed 3500ft and since the next water was likely to be 20 miles away I filled my water
containers and would be carrying a heavy rucksack. “Captain Cheerio” and “Purboy”
had gone on ahead as they were trying to get to Big Bear City before the Post Office
closed on Friday afternoon. This is the disadvantage of using the Post Offices for
supplies as most of these remote Post Offices don’t open at the weekend. By the time I
stopped at 12am it was a comfortable 80ºF in the shade.
In the afternoon I went over badly on my left ankle. It says a lot for how much
better my foot has got over the last couple of years that I don’t seem to have done any
serious damage. Not a very exciting day’s walking up the chaparral-covered valley, but
there were magnificent views back to the San Jacinto Mountains from my campsite. I
camped early having only covered 12 miles, but with a lot of ascent. It was still 4 hours
to the next water.
At 8510ft it was the highest that I had camped and by 8.15pm there was already ice
forming on my tent so it would be a cold night.
Day 18: 11.9 miles 6.45 hours Camp: Road 1N96
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Purboy at Fork
Springs Camp
Springs Camp
Upper Mission
Creek Canyon
Creek Canyon
San Jacinto Mountains
from road 1N96
from road 1N96