Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - Day 19 April 26th
Day 19: Friday 26th April Road 1N96 – Road 2N02
There was ice in my water bottles when I woke up in the morning and the trees and
bushes were weighed down by a coating of hoarfrost.
I walked all morning wearing all of my clothing. I hadn’t dried my gloves off after
Wednesday’s rain and they were now frozen solid so it took a long time to warm my
hands up. Initially it was like walking through a winter wonderland with the low sun
making the frost covered trees glisten, but it soon started clouding over and by mid-
morning it was trying to snow. It was too cold to stop so I kept walking without breaks.
The trail passed Randy Miller’s Animal Park. Here animals were kept for the Hollywood
film industry and although most of the outdoor cages were empty, tigers and grizzly
bears could be seen, looking as if they didn’t appreciate the weather.
By lunchtime I reached Arraste Trail Camp with a trickling stream fed by Deer Springs.
I had been following horse’s hoof prints down the trail and also the trail of sweet papers
left by the rider. Most hikers on the trail are very good at clearing away their litter and
it was only in places reached by car that litter was a problem. Most beer in the USA is
sold in bottles rather than cans and broken glass is widespread at road crossings. Too
many gun-owners follow the example of the westerns at the cinema and use the beer
bottles for target practise. Almost all of the trail signs in Southern California have bullet
holes in them, especially signs prohibiting motorbikes or off-road vehicles. Californians
don’t like to be told what they cannot do.
Since I had been walking with little break I camped early. I was camped on loose sand
again and by now the wind had got up so I had to keep the tent closed up to keep out the
blowing sand.
I carried a good supply of books with me so when I stopped early or when I had a long
stop during the day I always had a book to read. I never get time to read when I am at
home and appreciate the chance to do some reading while I am away.
Day 19: 17.0 miles 6.50 hours Camp: Road 2N02
There was ice in my water bottles when I woke up in the morning and the trees and
bushes were weighed down by a coating of hoarfrost.
I walked all morning wearing all of my clothing. I hadn’t dried my gloves off after
Wednesday’s rain and they were now frozen solid so it took a long time to warm my
hands up. Initially it was like walking through a winter wonderland with the low sun
making the frost covered trees glisten, but it soon started clouding over and by mid-
morning it was trying to snow. It was too cold to stop so I kept walking without breaks.
The trail passed Randy Miller’s Animal Park. Here animals were kept for the Hollywood
film industry and although most of the outdoor cages were empty, tigers and grizzly
bears could be seen, looking as if they didn’t appreciate the weather.
By lunchtime I reached Arraste Trail Camp with a trickling stream fed by Deer Springs.
I had been following horse’s hoof prints down the trail and also the trail of sweet papers
left by the rider. Most hikers on the trail are very good at clearing away their litter and
it was only in places reached by car that litter was a problem. Most beer in the USA is
sold in bottles rather than cans and broken glass is widespread at road crossings. Too
many gun-owners follow the example of the westerns at the cinema and use the beer
bottles for target practise. Almost all of the trail signs in Southern California have bullet
holes in them, especially signs prohibiting motorbikes or off-road vehicles. Californians
don’t like to be told what they cannot do.
Since I had been walking with little break I camped early. I was camped on loose sand
again and by now the wind had got up so I had to keep the tent closed up to keep out the
blowing sand.
I carried a good supply of books with me so when I stopped early or when I had a long
stop during the day I always had a book to read. I never get time to read when I am at
home and appreciate the chance to do some reading while I am away.
Day 19: 17.0 miles 6.50 hours Camp: Road 2N02
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Rattlesnake
San Jacinto Mountains
from camp
from camp
Road 1N96